Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-27
REMARKS OF MIR. EATON,

Bctore tie agricultural Society Of tile State cf
NorA Caroiin0, Jun Is, 1855.
NM EATON, Esq, of W arren, being called upon
said, it was once remarked by great man, Daniel
Webster, of Massachusetts, that agriculture the
lion of America, and he never said anything in his
life more just or more true. Ours is the great agri
cultural power of the world. Great Britain France
and Russia seeking to gather laures in the
iron harvest of the field but the peaceful
triumphs of the plough; and contemplate with
more pride these fruits of the victorious enterprise
Of my countrymcn, than ancient Roman did the
trophies borne by the legions of the republic when
they returned to Italy clad with the spoils of
Qucred cations and of captive kings. We are prin-
cipay nation of agriculturstS. North Carolina is
decidedly and emphatcaly agricultural State,
much any State in the Union. Throughout
our whole country, the employment Of the planter
is avoritc one and is dcscrvedly held in high es
tmation. Health and longevity; peacS, plenty and
contentment; an ardent patriotism, manly indie
pendencr, and generous hospitality, associated
in the mind OF an American citizen, with green fields
and waving harvcsts. The poet has SING the plea
Of rural life, and has drawn from its scenes
his most beautiful pictures, and his brightest mag
cry, and the philosopher has enjoyed with heartfelt
satisfaction its calm and tranquil delights. The
greatest men of America have not deemed the pur-
suits Of agriculture beneath them, and the chief
magistrates the repub ic have retired from their
exalted station to spend the evening of life among
rural scenes and the soft charms OF cultivated
turc. In the opinion of the wise and good of every
age and every land, the pursuits of the huSbanlman
in high degree honorable and useful, aud emil
nently iiVOfaOiy 10 human virtue ana happiness.
should be false to my country at large false to
my State, and false to the country OF Warren which
/ have the honor to represent in the Senate, if |
did not, as member of this General Assembly, do
every thing in my power to advance the interests of
agriculture. look forward to the dawnin5 of
brighter day in North Carolina. Look forward to
the day when our exhausted fields of broom>traw
and branble shall be fortified, and made to reward
the labors of the husbandman and when the rich
and lovely valleys Of the Catawba, the Yadkin the
Cape Fear, the Mouse, the Roanoke, and the Chowan
shall TEEN with abundance; shall yield in profsion
the luXuries and dciicacies of life well as it's
ccssares and comforts and shall sustain a numer-
Gus, happy and an intelligent population. \ deep
and lively interest has been recently manifested in
the cause of internal improvement. Railroads and
other facilities of communication are certainly of
great and nestimabe value but unless we improve
the SOIL and increase the productive capabilities of
the country, North Carolina can never become a
very prosperous State, nor her people comfortable
and happy, although commerce may spread out its
white sails on her coast and the locomotive may
cutrun the steeds of the turf on its iron pathway
from the ocean to the mountains.