Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-10-24
lPublishsd by a unanimous cote Of tie society.]

Onthe 3rd, 4th and 9TH days of October, l8o5.
Published by a unanimous cote Of the Society,"
In accepting the invitation to deliver the
address on this interesting occasion, would
be wanting in sincerity. did not a7ow my
inability to discuss the subject in such a way
as to benefit my auditory. Having no prac-
tical knowledge of agriculture myself, it may
appear much like temerity for me to say any
thing to practical farmers about it trust,
however, my friends, you win bear with me
pariently. and I promise you that what | may
have to say, shall resemble those wonderful
medicines SO conspicuously bro't to our notice
in the newspapers shall be purely regeta-
lie, and if it does you no good, will assuredly
DO you no harm.
A kind Providence has once more blessed
the iabors of the husbandmen. The fears
which SO painfully seized upon the public
mind in the earlier part of the season, lest
the present year would. like the last, be dis
as.rous to the hopes of the farmer, are all dis
PEELED. The Bountiful Giver has not again
laid his finger upon the earth, blasting the
roots of the corn and the wheat. The eye
has gazed with rapture upon the golden fields
of grain. from whose waving pillows has gone
up the glad songs from the joyous hearts of
the reaper and binder. And now Autumn
has come. bringing its tribute to the Creator
of mellow fruits. and distcnded clusters, ma
king glad the heart Of man Truly Peace
and Plenty reign within our borders. And
those Of us who have met here this day, are
taught by the sad experience of but partial
failure Of the crops Of 1854, to lay aside all
the political differences which divide us, all
the local interests and prejudices which so Of
ten bring US into contact, and all with swell
ling hearts, whatever be the creed to which
wc conform, join in the Hcaven-born aspira-
tion, GoD SPEED THE PLoueH!
A history of agriculture would carry us
back to that period in the history of the hu-
man race, when our first parents were driven
from the garden of Eden, for eating of that
forbidden fruit, whose mortal taste brought
death into the world, and all our woe" 1t
vas divine command to man, :. to till the
ground from which he had been taken )" and
from that hour down to the present the tilling
Of the soil has been the employment of a large
portion of the human race. So honorable
was this occupation esteemed, that all the
great nations of antiquity ascribed its inven-
ton to superhuman agency. Among all the
divini.ies of that ancient mythology which
peepled every grove, and bill, and valley
every fountain. and river. and sea with its ap-
propriate deities, Ceres, the goddess of agri-
culture, is distinguished for the vast benefits
conferred by her upon mankind For her
worship splendid temples were erected, and
one of the great festivals of the Greeks and
Romans, which was held Immediately after
their harvest, was named in her honor, Ce-
yedlia-an occasion Of universal rejoicing, al
which persons in mourning were not permitted
to appear And SO well was it understood Al
that early period, that Agriculture is tn,
foundation of all civil society, that to- Cere
was also ascribedr rthe establishing of laws fo
the protection Of civil rights. The represen
tations of Ceres are characteristic. In som
she appears as a tall, majestic lady, her hea,
garlanded with ears of corn, and a lighte,
torch In her hand. In others, she is repre-
senfcd as a country woman. mounted upol
the back of an OK, carrying basket and
hoe- 1 hope it viii not be regarded as inter
sering With the statas of Cambria county mol
ftics, when suggest that the latter represen
fation may. perhaps. be properly regarded .
sfus'on of the farmeress and the goddess!
Poets have sung to US Of an iron age IA
back in the history Of the world, when me
dwelt in peace and innooenoe-then of a sil
yer and subsequently, Of the golden age Tru
it is, that every age is distinguished by som
peculiar characteristics, which, standing o.
prominently, indelibly impress their charactt
spea It. Progress Is the word which sum
up I'll that Distinguishes the present aEs
efosrcss b called "God's universal law.