Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-20
SaritnltnraI.
Governor Wright's Agricultural
Address.

Address.
The following extracts from an Ad-
dres delivered at Livonia Ind, before
the District Agricultural Society by
Gov. Wright, will be found highly able
and interesting:
III hail among the favorable signs
of the times these very assemblages-
these collections of the people all over
the land-this mingling together of
all classes of our people, for the pur-
pose of improving their condition at
home-thus interchanging views and
opinions. and making experiments, tri-
ais, and tests upon the various branch
es of industry.
Let not the charge be laid at our
doors that was brought against the
ancient Romans, which was, that they
made country desolate, and called
that peace. May it be ours 10 boast
that we found wilderness and con-
verted it into fertile fields; ard that,
by our policy, we have covered over
this continent with a prosperous, hap
py, and intelligent people actively en-
gagged in the pursuits oflife.
To accomplish this we should re-
member that it behoves us to do all
within our power to give beauty and
dignity to the pursuits of those who
toll, and thus to make labor attractive.
At the base of the prosperity of any
people lies this great principle-make
labor fashionable at home. Make it an
essential part of the primary education
tof every youth of the land; and above
all. bring, by every means within your
reach, the undivided and united action.
the whole strength, talents, energy,
affections, motives, and power of the
people to bear upon home policy.
We have been looking in the wrong
direction for the sources of individual,
township. county, State, and even ma
tional prosperity. Take your stand
at the capital Of the national govern
ment; see for yourself the growing
interest which is manifested in the
management Of national affairs; the
great expenditures made for the i'm
provemert Of public buildings, the in
crease of Offices and officers, and the
vest ire ease ofgeneral and specific
appropriation Of the public money;
view the crowds that are pressing for
executive favors, great and small. and
then turn to the States Of this Union.
What contrastl If you were stran-
ger to our institutions, and were to
form your opinion from the interest
that is taken in the national Govern
ment. and the almost utter neglect OF
the State governments. you would
suppose that our fathers designed that
the legislation. favors, and strength ol
the republic which they founded sho'd
be centered in the capital at Washing
ton.
The evidences Of the interest mani
tested by politicians, presses, and pso-
pie. in national affairs, over those Of
State. county, or township, are before
US every day.
II Is n rare sight to witness the peo.
pie holding primary meetings to dis
cuss the merits Of the school law-the
provisions Of the code that affects
property, character, or lifc-or the
law that governs and controls your
estate at the time Of your DEATH
These nre minor considerations in
comparison with the great questions
as to who shall gil the vacant seat in
the cabinet at Washington. or discharge
the duties Of collector at some port oI
entry on the Atlantic. Public meet
ings are held all over tho country ap'
proving or disappearing OF the ap'
pointment Of this or that man to Office
but Courts. Congress. Legislatures,
and Governors may do acts that seri-
ously affect the peace. happiness. and
prosperity Of the people, and yet such
acts do not seem to make even rip
pie upon the surface Of public opinion,
The truth Is, we must talk more,
work more. act more. and think more
on questions relating to home and home
policy.
We have at home many subjects o
vast interest that must not be neglect
ed. and this is proper and Legitimate
occasion to call your attention to some
Of them.
| The wealth Of an agricultural Stat,
like ours is not found alots in rich and
productive lands. We have other
elements. Our mineral wealth and
our manufacturing wealth. are parts o.
the great resources Of the State, and nc
community has discharged the duiie.
which it owes to itself until these grca
elements Of wealth have been develop
ed and rendered available under the
combined acton Of the capital and Ia
Dor Of the country.
i Indiana this day Is not selling two
millions Of bushels Of coal per annum
She should sell twenty millicrs. w.
can furnish at the Balize t. govern
ment vessel and tho steamers Of III,
world with coal, at cost Of thre,
dollars ton for carriage. The rocl
and marble are all around us, suitabl,
to build the Custom-house at New Or
leans; and il these materials were uset
for that purpose. thousands Of dollar,
would be saved 10 the treasury of th'
nation.
Your pig-iron is taken from Yer
million and Greene couuties, manu-
factured abroad, end brought back I,
lyc,, ard soll a. l...l -: u,t