Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-10-21
Address.

Address.
have before stated that illness prevented Judge
Green, Of Cedar Rapids who had been selected by the
Agricultural Society, orator of the day at their late
Fair, from complying with his promise. The follsw-
ing address in manuscript however, was sent to the
Officers of the Society subject to their disposal who
very properly handed it into the Enquirer and Jour
nal offices for publication
Mr. Presidsn. and Gentlemen:
Among so many superiors in Agricultural expert
ence and knowledge can hardly hope to justify my
acceptance of your catering invitation. If called
upon to eucidate WITH artistic accuracy the various
def ails If expected to plore the depths and define
the principles of science comprehensive in IT'S
lations. 80 vast in its rfurc, and 81 intricate in
its elements and combinations, is that Of n Gull
in all its details should at once feel il ray duty
70 exchange places with some Of the masters see
d aroand me.
Bat there subjects connected with srcultursl
production upon which the uninitiatcd may dis
course with propriety upon an occasion like the
emit. Some of these subjects may be suggested by the
enquiry, why are We assembled? What is the ofj
of your society The answer is brief and obvious
Agricultural improvement.
It is now generally conceded tat tbs commanding
influence of Agriculture over every other pursuit in
life has been greatly overlooked, and consequence
the Interests and advancement Of the producer have
BEEN too much neglected.
But during the last quarter Of ceatury few noble
spirits in union have done much to enligbten pub
lie sentiment this subject, through the agency of
agricultural sceties and periodicals. and in Iowa with
1858 dawps new era in agricultural progress. All
whe feel land who should not feel interested in this
great pursuit may now congratulate themselves that .
spirit of resoarcb of emulation and Of advancement
10 animating the yeomapry Of our State. In many
of orsanin ID counties Societies have been formed
and fairs resembling that we have here witnessed
have been held, which eminenlly calculated to
cheer the hopeless and elevate the views Of the far
mer. What can he more encouraging than the dem
constructions here witnessed? What better prosf need
we, that the farmers ST Musca,ne awake TO their
true interest. that they determined to avail them
selves of those improvements which destined 10
elevate farmers Glars far above the ranks Of
other professions in general intelligence and moral
worth, in domestic end social virtues, in happiness,
usefulness and abiding prosperity!
This elevation lie not picture or Fomance. 1t Il
clearly indicated by the signs of the tines, BY the
| progressive tendencies of our sge.
The al pervading character of agriculture its init
mate connection with the vital wants and substantial
comforts of our its controlling relation 10 clm-
| merce, to manufactures and to oil useful employ.
meuts; its conservative influence oTer tho moral,
political and social condition Of the country it, i'm
pcrtant bearing upon the neral health, prosperity
and intelligence of the people, subj cts which now
command an increasing share, bat still much too
sma share Of public consideration end discusion.
| As Agriculture feeds and furnishes materials to
clothe all, and gives direct employment to ct least
threefeurtks of The world ferms the suhstratum
of every business superst,ucure; il creates the
elements which mre the ships and cars Of commerce,
the rRschinery Of manufactures, and contrib
ues most TO fill the private purse as we'll as the public
treasury. it is surely verify Of moro general and
more favorable consideration By the people ard the
government.
Why is in ha. an interest so vitality ahsarhug to all
il generally overlooked and neglected? Why is il
that so little has been done By national and State
/ .fANs1 Fn-t
ton aud for the advancement of agricultural science
Other pursuits both industrial ard speculative have
received especial favor and protection fr,m Congress.
The manufactures, this miner the mariner and soldier
have long been and still less sheltered by
the protecting wing of government. To uphold these
interests millions annually paid rom tie earnings
Of the American farmer. tariff 10 levied upon the
iron of which their implements Of industry 10 ade
and upon many articles of clothing and food TO foster
the productive 1ies of hs miner an manufactur-
er ard ID educate leaders for the army and navy
Notwithstanding the decided prsponieranc,of ,ri
cultural production, and although it contributes three
fourtss TO the prosperity Of the couatry AMI to the
support Of government, still no.hisg, comparatively
nothr has been done by Congress advance the in
teres. and elevate the standard of Agriculture.
With few henorable exceptions the same NAV be
said Of our state legislatures. By them we'll By
Congress much time and money and eloQuence have
been squandered upon objects rot ooasttufionally
der their control and utterly repuauant to State or
national property But call upon them to legisiate
in behalf If the greatest interest and the noblest pur
suit of man, and sup r6cial demagogues will xvavely
intarpese what they term constitutional barriess-
Such men overlook the leading object of the coustitu
tion, too much absorbed in selfish claims upoo
the national treasury, to that BY improvinG aod
eievang the standard of rural pursuits they do J.
the most e;ctual manner 'sinsmrs domestic tranquil
ny," "proDote tho general welfare and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and Posserity"
But, it may be inquired, what can Coagrss o.
State legislation do for the causeof Agriculture!
AInnspr nswa~ psnxxlts
ndr the gsvernnent, to be conducted b. scientific,
Intelligent and practical men, ~ thu head IL appeop
ts bureaus for each branch OF rural science Let The
exclusive attention of this department ba given TO the
Fceosn of statistics and information upon eli s1b
ects affecting the interests Of the farmer. LIST this
Inform b arrayed 10 style adapted 10 The IN
Outstanding Of al, and bs published and freely ercu-
lated nong the people. The heads Of thee bureaus
should procure from all portions Of the world the nest
approved seeds ana plants and dstrisuts them gener-
ally among producers. They should recommend
those productions that ara mast rsmuuerativs and
best adapted to our various soil and climate. Toey
tim and every improvement in illsgs, feeding and
horticulture. Tney should recomrsnd the beu hsesds
Aof domestic animals, and th - best calculated for
particular localities and purposes. They should dis
seminate the most approved principles OF rural eonno
NY p'int Gut the cheapest avenues for transp Haten
nni the most renamcratng markets for the sale Of
surplus production. Tsey should cooperate with
bnard of one director from each Safe, in the general
control and management Of NationM University Of
grisuture which should be established and muai6c-
entiy endowed by the next Cngress, with moss
branches 10 svsry State. They should procure AID
paoe 10 charge Of this National Uavsrsity the most
approved breeds Of domestic animals. 70 b ultimately
propi6ated thrsugh the several States b. ths hash
Universities In short, let them become ~ Qsat
central light Of American system of Agrsuflnse
iDportn to all points of the Uoisn . oontiauA in
cease Of brightness, ugor knouisdss and prospsry
to rural lif..
Toe Importance Of the University, comhin,ag q Il
I'll all tie advantage and inpsovsmsnt u Esropeaa
Schools cannot be questioned, and it Indeed strange
that any should doubt that su,h "a nstitution would
DO conclusive to the general welfare.
La the ms. enlightened nations Of EaroPe, Agficu'-
tufal schools ara nov considered essential b III, pros
pcrify If the " pie and government Wherever e.
taslished thay have had mist sA'utary influence in
augmentirg aud improving the productions IT the soil
and in elevatipg mentally, morally and politically, By
the condition Of the eounuy.
Having proven in Earops % productive Of general
welfare, what may We not expect from ssch instita-
tiens il America?
claim DO nation Of farmers. and hsaes % oeuatry
can be mere generally benc6 tel ~ their advance
ment. Thrce-scu.ths OF al The labor, capital and
population employed in this p1rsuit. They con-
situ.e threefouvths Ut ovr voters and and
three fuurths OF the ooasaass Of domestic and for
sign goads. nor have We any reason to anticipate
iiminuticn in their ranks when look abrosd upnu
'ur vas. extent Of plain and woodland, tsemisg In
sunsi.ess wealth and productive resources.
Oser sne thousand millions al sores sil vacant
md invite tn rural occupation. With COR great vaSi
ely # climate ssd SOIL adapted every vegetable and
animal production With unsurpassed fssitiss for
ocean. lake, river and canal navigation, With or
vasy.sx'esdiDs sysse0 Il railroads, which viii uiti