Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-10-20
First State Agricultural Fair in Mo.
MAI. wRIGHTs ADDRESS,
Mn. PRESIDENT;

scene around me proclaims your interest in
that cause, and share it with you, but in
degree and quality how differentl
1t was not my good fortune to start in
life in partnership with this fertilising al.
mosphere and this teeming earth. Nv way
has been along that path which runs over
violated contracts and broken laws, path
too often darkened by the fierce conflicts Of
human interest, or the bitter warfare of hui
man passions.
My business is 10 deal with man in strife
with his fellow man, or at war with the
government in which he lives. | stand al
the point where the antagonisms of society
meet--where vice is most active, and lrailty
most whittier human beings
coming from all the diversified pursuits of
life, throng in countless cumbersome TO
have justice awarded them, some to inflct
its opposite, and others, an unwilling group,
TO expatiate offences.
a. In seeking to be one qualified to mingle
IN such scenes, my vision has been almost
shut ont from the broad, bright fields of ma
tlire. The laws of vegetable life do not lie
within the narrow circle of legal SCIENCE
Advocates at the bar, Judges on the bench,
do not teach how plant must grow, on
what il must be fed, or how. if sickness
seize it, it must be cured. They look al
soil only to determine boundary and title
They do not interrogate the earth to find cut
its ingredients they put no questions to The
air 10 discover lis elements. The law has
its mysteries, but the mysteries of the
hnil' and snow, of the dew, and rain, arc
not Of them.
But although thus cut off by vocation
from the pursuit and study of Agriculture,
yet am interested in its prosperity.
1t claims my regard as the earliest aud
noblest occupation of man. 1t appeals 10 my
interest as the supporter of every other in
tercst in State. As man claiming to be
clvilised, | venerate it as an essential cle-
ment in all civilization. As an American.
hail it as the surest defender of the liber
ty of my country. By these more general
claims stand connected with the occasion
and its theme-but you are united to both
by closer tics.
To you, Agriculture, as nm art or science,
can never become an abstraction; YOU look
upon it always in the concrete. The strong
tie Of interest binds YOU to the soil, and
your success in life depends upon its prop
er culture. The subject comes home to
your bosoms and business. How to sow ?
and how to reap? are questions which have
their origin not only in your vocation, but
IN your relations also. As husbands, ia
Tiers, masters, you put such questions, and
the modest feelings of your nature become
Interested in the reply Ga that reply may
der end your ability faithfully to discharge
the duties incident 10 those relations.
The Government has given you large
discretion, as to the manner in which such
duties shall be discharged, but the broad
confidence of our laws does not i'm
pair the obligation of that trust. How
your children shall be reared, educated, and
fitted for success in life, and for bearing
their part in the maintenance of consttu-
tional liberty, is not penned in any statute
Of our State. The law of the domicil is
with us an unwrltten code. We trust the
instincts of nature. enlightened by civii;za.
ton, liberty and religion-we impose no
sanctions for tie breach of them. But be-
yond these endearing relations furnishing
as they do active stimulants TO inquiry
your broader relation 10 all other pursuits
and avocations, imposes upon you the duty
TO know everything that may advance the
cause of agriculture. The soil untitled for
singl year would spread famine over the
earth! Your philanthropy asks for knowl-
edge-your interests demand it-your af-
fcctions in their loftiest yearnings crave ii.
The daily mysteries of vegetable life
around you make knowledge necessity.
These are some Of the considerations
which have brought YOU here to-day, to the
first industrial exhibition Of The first .Agri-
cultural Society eUsr organized winin our
limits under the patronage ofthe SAFE
wish could bring the tribute Of knowl-
edge TO this beginning of a new era in the
history Of our agriculture. would ask no
higher honors than to identify nv name
usetu'Iy, with a movement of the human
mind, directing the energies of our people.
and tho authorities of our State, on that line
Of achievement which may elevate the art
Of agriculture, in It's widest scope, 10 the
dignity of science.
feel sensibly feel, that to me such hon
ors can never attach; but trust | may not
entirely fail to shoU that The highest attain
n1ertS of science are yet 10 be aUoa from the
soil she has neglected; and that the highest
duty Of The STATE is 10 place agricultural ed
ucation lcithin The reach of all her sons.
| leave behind me many topics upon
which have reflected with pleasure-in-
imately connected with my theme. pass
by many inviting fields, which have allnred
thought since | accepted your invitation.
and proceed to the consideration of tie
two positions just advanced. In a single
address, do not know how better TO an
propriate the time allotted me in this inter
esting scene.
And frst-Can science be successfully
applied 10 agriculture? Is all known that
can be known. which tends TO multiply the
fruitrulness of the earth, and perpetuate IFS
fertility? Are the laws of vegetable life
within the reach Of the human mind and if
SD, viii "a knowledge of them aid the ogri-
aal'urist in the practical operations Of hus-
-4ndry?
ip~' 'he subject in the interrogative form,
beeause know that wide prejudice has
already auswered-It is a prejudice hoary