The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-11-23
ADDRESS OF \
GEN. S. RI. CHANDLER.
UpLIsHEp pY REeUEsr or THE SUMTER

fore you to-day. more from con-
straint, than from choice.
But for the fact that this is our
first Anniversary, and believing that
All entire failure in Tho matter of n
public Address would throw dampcr
upon our noble enterprise, should
remain silent on this occasion. As it
is, must plead tho indulgence of my
auditory ior the hasty and undigested
manner, in which | have thrown my
ideas together, from pressure Of bu.
Ssiness, and from circumstances beyond
my control.
Having, in justice to myself, said
thus much, | proceed briefly to
place before,you some considerations
connected with the great object we
have in view.
Agriculture has been defined TO be
the cart of disposing the soil in such
o manner as to make it produce in the
greatest abundance and perfection
those vegetables which are useful to
man and the animals dependent on
him for subsistence"
Agriculture is the prime source of
wealth and Of comfort. The gold Of
California and the mighty improve
ments of our day, would be valueless
. and useless apart from this first, and.
| may add, noblcst employment of
man. Indeed, the gold of California
! would continue to be embedded in
the sands ofthe Sacramento, as it has
done from time immcmorial, and
all the grand improvements which
characterize civilized and enlightened
society, would be unthought of, un-
cared for, but for the wealth and com.
fort which Agricultural pursuits have
produced in the world.
am not, however, to be understood
as depreciating other pursuits; but
merely us giving that of the culture of
the earth, the first place for utility,
and the source from which man
derives his sustenancc and his ability
to embark successfully i'll any 9TH
er pursuit.
have been often surprised and
grieved at the facility with which
many of the promising young men of
our country, possessing small patri-
monies, turn from the sure and hap
py means of not only obtaining IL
competent support, but of ultimate
ly enrlching themselves by the cul-
5ture of the earth, to the hazards of
Smercantile pursuits, and to the SO cal
led learned professions.
If our generous and enterprising
young men of limited capital, would
but take warning from the numerous
examples Of failure among their pre-
gdecessors, who embark upon the
deceitful sea OF mercantile speculation,
Il am sure a large majority of them
would be content to build up their
fortunes slowly, it may be but safely
and haupily by the culture of the soil.
s5W.hlle one. succeeds in mercantile pur-
suits hundreds either remain poor, or
fai S,.Iis is true that lie mum
Syers VINO afnass wealth in Agricultur
Falparsuits is not very large; but most
! of them live free of debt and happily
and comic, tably.
We Of the South are essentially an
Agricultural peoplc-we are so from
circumstances, and must continue to
be so.
There are numerous considerations
pressing upon us with increasing
force, to improve our Agricultural re-
sources to their utmost limits.
five would retain and increase our
population, this must be done. With
territory sufficient to support three
millions of people, now with one fifth
OF that number, our inhabitants are
emgrating to the virgin soils of the
South west.-Now how is this con-
fessed evil to be remcdicd! How are
our people to be fixed to the soil!
Why surely by making it to their
interest to remain. AS long as Wis
ions of wealth and prosperity are
held out in the Southwest, superior to
any thing to be found among our
selves, SO long will our State continue
her contribution Of emigrants to the
unbroken soils Of those regions. We
can and must change the mode of our
culture in many respects. We can and
must resort TO many expcdicnts, now
either altogether neglected by US, or,
but inadequately attended to, as aids
and supports in our chief pursuit.
1t is almost universally conceded:
that we cultivate too much land-that
in this way we cultivate badly-wc
manure lightly-and thus crop our soil
to exhaustion. say, this is almost
universally conceded, and yet the sys-
tenn, to q great degree remains III alter
ed. 1t is true, we manure more largely
now, than in former days, but it is
not to be concealed that the exhausting
process is still going on. What is to
be done to reduce the quantity of cul-
I tivated lands within such limits, as to
Secura n propracciyn ip,proyop,opto