The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-13

IsAtfott " q AptttH HttfCtftn Wy me ilON EBEi
NEWTON Of Ohio, an The House Of Represent
atiUes, dp,ii 2Oh, 1852, in fdUoy Of an Agri
cultural Bureau
Though dissenting from the policy of the par
ticulHr measure advocated by Mr.. Newton, W,
publish the following extract from his able
speech in support Of it, rs containing many in
teresting historical facts
| have said that agriculture was the first
employment Of our citizens. General Wash
ingtOn the Father of our Country, was a prac-
teal farmer As early rs 1886, we find him
engaged in sending abroad for seeds and I'M
plementS Of husbandry On the 9th of August
Of that year, in writing to Arthur Young, of
England, he says:
" | shall take the liberty in this place to OBJ
serve that some years ago from description
or recommendation of what was then called
the Rotterdam or patent plough sent to Eng
land for one Of them; and, till it began to wear
and was ruined by a country smith, no plough
could have done better work, or appeared to
have gone easier with two horses
In the same communication he says:
Agriculture has ever been among the most
favorlte amusoments of my life, though never
possessed much skill in the art
The system of agricumre-if the epithet
of system can be- applied to (which is in use
in this part of the United States, is as uhproduc-
tive to the practitioners as it is ruinous to the
landhoIders. Yet Il IS Pertinaciously adhered
to-
Again, in his message OF Sth December. 1875.
he says:
"Our agriculture, commerce. and manufac-
lures, are Furnishing
ALWAYS nlacinU "A oripulturo n, tho Cro,t
with a mind well stored with knowledge and
experience, by practical agriculture as well as
by extensive correspondence with men of
science and experience in the practical opera
tons Of national boards, on the 9TH of Deem
Der, 1896, in his eighth and last annual mes.
sage, he says:
" 1t will not be doubted that, with reference
to either national or individual welfare. agri-
culture IS OF primary Importance. In proper
ton as nations advance in population and other
circumstances OF maturity, this truth becomes
more apparent and renders the cultivation of
tho soil more and more an object of public
patronage institutions for promoting il grow
up. supported by the public purse and to what
object can it be dedicated with greater propri.
city! Among the means which have been EN-
plOyed to this end, none have been attended
with grcaiCr success than the establishment o
boards, composed OF proper characters. charged
with collecting and ditfuSing information, and
enabled by premiums and small pecrniary aids
to encourage and assist n spirit Of discovery and
Improvement by stimulating to enterprise and
experiment, and by drawing to common CEN
tire the results everywhere of individual skill
and observation, and spreading them thence
over the whole nation. Experience accordingly
hath shown that they are very cheap instrn-
ments Of immense national benefit
This sentence in ths last annual message of
General Washington is the last official sent.
ment upon this subject expressed by one whom
the united voice Of the world consents To call
one of the greatest men the world ever pro-
duced, taking all the relations of life-one
whom every American is proud to call the Fa.
Their OF his Country and whom all have con
sented to place before us as n perpetual mont
tor-one whose Farewell Address pronounced
m September before this sentiment was utter
ed all agree ls II textbook for all after time
How may | not ask, has this sentiment (ful
oil wisdom, experience. and practical utility
been considered and treated | answer. en-
tirely neglected Tor more than half a century
and why, will by and by give an answer il
his own words
On the 18th of January, after this message
Judge Swift of Connecticut to whom was re-
terred the message of the President. made II re
port setting forth the great advantages til,
people OF America have over the people of othe,
countries by being the fee.simple owners o
Their land and if the business of agriculture
tCds encouraged and patronized by the Gov
eminent, we should become the most enlght
ened nation upon that subject He also set
forth that many agricultural societies hav
been formed throughout the United States, bu
were on too limited II scale to answer the pur
pose for the United States and recommends,
that uhere he national agricultural socet,
formed ana from it a board selected piyin,
his plan in detail and upon this renort 1o ne
ton was had by Congress. On the 9Th q
March, OF the same yrar, Il 1871 General Wash
ngton writes again to Mr.. Sinclair. ms follows
Under the circumstances here mentioned
/ should not have troubled you Mt this tim
with so short letter but for the nurnose .
accompanying 1t with two or three pamphlet
on the subject of agriculture-one of while
treats more extensively of gypsum as IA manur
than any have seen before The other tw
will only serve to show that ESSAYS of smilo
kind are making in this infant country"
81 am sorry to add that nothing final i
Congress has been decided respecting the inst
tuition of National Board of Agricutnr
recommended by me at the opening of the Sc,
sion. But this did not believe, proceed fror
any dlsinclnation TO the measure. but froi
their limited sitting and pressure Of whI
they conceived more important business
think It highly probable that merit session wi
bring this matter TO maturity"
The great object have in introducing th
correspondence IL 90 show nj one view hi
thorough knowledge of the plan recommended
and to see II this House will regard his opinion
upon this subject rs entitled to the same weigh
they have upon the great and exciting snbiec
now occupying the public mind; and if fai
IN this, 1t will console and encourage the enter
prisng farmer to persevere in his efforts TO i'm
prove the soil and the domestic animals of In
country and to strive to elevate the mrmin,
interest 20 It's proper level; and TO point tn
youth of the country to the soil M the grea
fountain of wealth, honor, and fame
Here he sets forth the reason a board wa
not formed, for he says: Z" Ii did not arise, as
suppose from any disinclination TO the mensur,
but their limited sitting, and the pressure @
what they conceived more important business
Here again, is n clear expression that he re
gardcd that rs the most important bushes,
and Congress had omitted it because they sup
posed they had more important things to do
lie says: He supposed the next session woul,
perfect IT, He continued his correspondence,
with Mr. Sinclair upon the same subject dowr
70 few days before the meeting of the mex
Congress, and that session passed over. ant
nothing done and about the time Of the mex
Congress, 1898, he died, and with him the ad