Nebraska advertiser., 1857-08-06
Written for the Nebraska Advertiser,
THAT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

settlers of Nemaha county to the es-
tablishing of an Agricultural Society,
in the county. / am aware that an
act was passed during the last winter,
~chartering such a society in Nemaha
county, and hat it included some of
our best citizens in its composition
But this is but one, of the preliminary
steps toward the consumation of the
desired object. There is much yet to
be accomplished, before any benefit
viii accrue to those engaged in the
good work. This as the name implies
is principally, a work for the farmer,
and not for a few only, but for the
entire rural community. The mechanic
too should be deeply interested in the
progress and ultimate success of the
enterprise. As for myself, I have full
confidence in the ability of those who
have undertaken the work, and do not
doubt but hat in due time, such action
will be taken in the matter as will per-
manently establish the institution, in
full operation in our midst. But would
it not be well to agitate the matter
and prepare the minds of those inte-
rested to be in readiness to lay hold
of the work simultaneously and urge
it on with energy and success?
We live in a progressive age, and
he who would keep pace with the times
must be up and doing, or be content to
slothfully persue his course in the old
stereOtyped way. Some may say, our
settlements are too young yet; it will
be time enough after we shall have
our farms enclosed, and the virgin soil
removed from its long resting place,
to begin to think of improved methods
of tillage-exciting wholesome com
petition in the farming community
and acquiring more extensive knowl-
edge of our occupation.
Such arguments as these might have
held good in the early settlement of
some of the middle and western States
but they will not do for US.
Then progress in agricultural was
but comparatively slow. Since then the
increased ratio of its progression has
been immense. We are of the Great
West, where towns and cities spring
up as by magic, and what was but a
few days since a wilderness, is now
covered with the habitations of intel
ligent and enterprising people who
have come hither from almost every
portion of the habitable globe. Many
of these settlers have left comfortable
andhappy homes; homes around which
were many ties which bound their
affections to them and made them
doubly dear, and to which fond re-
m~embrance still clings with stubborn
will.
And why should they not remem-
Der, yea, love their homes; there is
no better, purer, holier, passion en-
mating from the human heart, than
fond, fervent, devoted, attachment to
the friends of their youth, and habita-
ton of those they loved. Let this
feeling be cultivated; let the farmers
of Nemaha county surround them
selves with those institutions which
have by their beneficial influences
made those distant and deserted homes
the ideal of contentment and happi,
ness in their minds, and they will again
secure abundance and prosperity and
with them contentment and happiness
This done and they will no longer
vearn for the homes far off, but vii
view with honest pride the spot upor
which they first erected their humble
and solitary shanty in the "far West
; Who will say this work a be &C
complished too soon? The early es
tablishment of a fourishing Agricul
tural Society in the county will be one
of the most efficient agencies TOWARD
: the accomplishing, for the farming
community at least, this desirable end
An Agricultural Society brings those
from distant portions into close com
s munion with one another; causes thu
farmer to entertain a more just appre
citation of his calling; places hin
nearer his true position in cOmmunit.
Il would have said Society, but thos,