The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-12

proximity with the coast, giving value 10
nroperty and location which had been val
neless for want Of a proper channel through
which io reach market. Maine has about
400 miles OF Railway in successful opera.
ton. with constantly increasing business,
which must nj an early day, make them
COOL paying roads. Every interest OF the
State Is favorably affected by these great
improvements, and we cannot easily over.
estimate the benefit and substantial wealth
they are destined 10 afford the community.
For want OF opportunity 10 examine the
reports from the Treasury and other depart
menis. I must rcier you TO those reports,
which will be laid before you, for the in
formation you will desire.
As the resources Of our Stale are being
developed, calling forth and employing mo-
chanical skill in the various Departments OF
trade, Il il highly important that deeper
interest should be felt for the advancement
Of agriculture. Maine, with soil suffi-
cienily rich and fertile, under PROPER hus-
bandry 10 produce the necessary or staple
articles Of consumption, for our population.
in any abundance, should not pay such
large sums OF money 10 other States for
corn, -four, pork, and other products, as she
IL paying from year Ia year. There should
be no necessity for this outlay. We should
produce our own supply Of these important
articles OF food, besides many others for
which we 20 abroad. The lumbermen,
whose extensive operations are rapidly hur-
rying orr vast forest timber into market
draw their supplies very largely from other
States. The men who I'LL our ship-yards
to an ex;en, that makes Name the first
State in the Union in point OF ship building,
are no, supplied with The products of our
own soil; their tables are furnished no, BY
our farmers. So shall all branches OF man.
uiaciures, and extensive Railway improve
mems carried on in this State; the opera
tors and laborers, 10 a very great extent, are
fed on foreign products.
The very large amount OF money thus
sent out OF he Stale, should be distributed
among our farming communiiy-untili this
Is done the agricultural in,eres, Of The State
will flourish but poorly. Unless that in.
isresl become prosperous, although our State
be rich in resources, and manufactures and
commerce increase; the masses Of the peo-
pie will be poor and dependant. The cities
and towns may grow in wealth, but the
rural districts will lack those elements OF
affinence and independence, which should
ever distinguish the yeomanry OF a Repub.
lie. All branches OF industry and classes
or citizens are directly interested in the
prosperity ofasiicul,ural pursuits, and what
ever can properly be done, permanently 10
benefitihat interest, I shall DO happy 10
mite with you in doing.
For the purpose OF awakening deeper
in,sres, in forming, OF connecting science
with PRACTICAL economy, Introducing the
mos, improved breeds Of cattle and other
domestic animals, procuring the choicest
kinds Of grains, and valuable and rare seeds,
testing their qualities and adaptation 10 our
soil and climate, and bringing them 10 The
notice and within the reach OF every farmer
in the ie;-ior these and other valuable
purposes, il is believed that an Experiment.
al Farm, under tho care and patronage OF
the State, would be Of essential service
The outlay would be but trifling compared
with the amount Of good that might reason.
ably anticipated by the movement, and the
people would cheerfully sustain such an
establishment, 10 economically and properly
conducted.
The subjec, Of agricultural chemistry is
attracting much attention, aud there APP
pears 10 be a very strong desire with our
mos, intelligent agriculuris,s, 10 have the
elements OF agriculture laugh, in our COM
mon schools, and rs science constitute
a permanent feature in the Educational
system Of the Stale. This subjec, has been
urged upon the Legislature by the Board
Of Agriculture for the last two years, bu,
has not received that attention which |
think its importance demands. Believing
ii unnecessary for me 10 elaborate a subject,
the utility OF which must be so apparent TO
10 all, who give j, reflection, earnestly III
vie you TO give il that consideration, which
that great interest Of our State demands.
The main pillars Of our free Institutions
res, upon the intelligence Of The people
The only true ground OF hope that this
Republic will survive the lapse Of ages,
and be psrpetualed from generation TO. gen.
Grafton, following not in the downward
course OF those republics which have dis
appeared from the governments OF the earth,
is that knowledge in this country is more
universally difTused among tho people, and
Ina, they know their political rights as in.
iellisenl heemen. OF what avail will j, be,
ere another century shall have elapsed, tina,
we boast Of constitution surprising in It's
provisions aud principles, any other law
written by man, il the people are not i'm
bued with the spirit Of liberty, and enjoy
such means OF education rs shall qualify
them to assert their political rights a, the
polls and in tho halls of Legislation!
No subject can be urged upon your at.
ion,ion, more imporian, 10 tho vital interests
OF your constituents and country, than that
Of education. Educate the people and
they become really, what without education
they are but nominally, sovereign. am
aware that there is n sentiment pervading
rho community 10 some extent, that the
State has already been liberal in donations
TO the different institution OF learning, and
that il is time 10 narrow or suspend further
appropriations. True, the Stale has been
neasurably liberal in aiding our colleges
and seminaries, and ], is equally true that
for no purposes could the money thu, e1-
pended, have been appropriated with results
more honorable and beneficial TO the State.
Our common schools have also. from time
10 time, received the munificence Of
the State, an enlightened policy dictates
that they be assiduously fos,ered, Us the
indispensable nurseries Of educalon.-
There Improvement canno, be too earn.
esily urged upon yous attention.
The purchase Of land Of Massachusetts,
made by this State, has added almost n
million across TO our dominica, for which
large debt has been created, for the pay
ment OF which, in due time, provision
mus, be made. However ,ha, purchase