Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-10-24


culture. But few years ago. and there
were no periodicals devoted to agricultural
science. now almost every State in the Union
sustains its agricultural newspapers, which are
weekly disseminating vast amount of yalua-
ble information for the benefit Of the farmer.
Through them the best talent of the land
speaks. and considers itself highly honored
in addressing such assemblages of farmers as
have before me to-day
Within the last year or two. hundreds of
thousands have congregated at the agricultu-
raj fairs held at Saratoga. Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Dayton. Springfield and Columbus
The exhibition at Springfield embraced horses
only, but is not the horse worthy of nation
Il fair The nobiest Of the animals, herhas
been celebrated in history from the BucephaIus
who bore Alexander the Great on his back to
the conquest of world, down to Old Whitley.
who having carried Old Zach through all the
perils of Palo Alto, Resaca, Monterey and
Buena Vista. next distanced all competitors
on the Presidential race course, and brought
his master in triumph to the much priced goal
the White House, in Washington! These
fairs are powerful auxiliaries in the advance
ment of agricultural skin and science. 1t is
through these associations, whether County
or State. that strong agricultural public
opinion is being formed, which is fast making
itself felt and respected. Farmers, on these
occasions, meet together and feel that they are
no longer isolated, but community-a BROTH
erhood. A spirit of healthy enterprise and
emulation is excited. Through the agency of
such societies, new implements of agriculture
are brought to the attention of the cultivators
of the soil. In the invention of agricultural
implements our mechanics have won some
world renowned triumphs. Whilst England
and France are rejoicing over the fall of Sc
vastopol, America is rejoicing at the victory
of her mechanic son, Mccormick, at the Paris
exhibition Of all nations. Our rejoicing is
not mingled with the wall of the widow and
the orphan, neither are our hero's laurels
stained with blood.
The great contest of the age among the
rival nations of the earth, is for commercial
supremacy Commerce is King" but bis
throne would soon totter and fall we're it not
supported BY agriculture. Every year our
ships find their way into new ports in distant
parts of the globe, and it has been reserved
for American diplomacy to overcome the su-
perstition and prejudices which for ages have
closed the ports of Japan to every nation
The over crowded populations of China, India
and Japan, want our agricultural productions
sary, and it is through the instrumentality Of
our agricultural interests that the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans viii yet be joined by bands
of iron The day is Dot far distant wher
across this continent viii be carried the com
merce of the East. which has enriched ever,
nation that ever enjoyed it. The commerc'
of the world viii pass through San Francisc'
| and New York Then viii our Commercial
supremacy be triumphantly established. ans
this nation become the mightiest power.
true to itself, the world has yet seen. Blu
this must be accomplished through our agri
culture, for no axiom of political economy j
more true. than that the commerce of an,
country is limited by ths amount of product
it has to give in exchange.
The farmers in the United States occupy
| high position. In France the continual divi
sion of the paternal estates among all tn
children has resulted disastrously to the agri
cultural interests. for the land is held in sue
minute portions as to render its pro6tahl
cultivation impossible. In England. the law
of primogeniture and entailmcnt have accn
mulated the whole territory in the hands of
few. The farmers are chiefly tenants, payin,
enormous rents to the nobility, besides heav.
taxes to the government. Thus, in 1851. tn
population of Great Britain, inclucing Irelan
and the islands in the British seas, was 27
GIG, ,S66, and of this number but 80. 900 wer
land holders The Licinian law of the Re
mans, which fixed the quantity of land eac
one was allowed to hold, is needed in Grca
Britain. The love of property is said to
one of the strongest principles of the huma
breast, and the prospects of its acquisition
powerful stimulus to industry. Colon'
/ Benton said of tenantry: - II is unfayors
bio to freedom, it lays the foundation for SCI
arate orders in society. annihilates the love (
country. and weakcns the spirit of indeper
deuce. The tenant has. in fact. no country
no hearth, no domestic altar, no houschol
god" Here we have no such landed laws :
deface the statute books of Europe. o,
n, = ..,i, i.s IL. - IL. al Al !,