Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-09
The Sfapoata. ],
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80 - lPusLIsHED sY REouEsr.l III .s.. ze.ess
ADDRESS. ga
Dsl;esrsd before tie Daplia County Agries1s'Sss
Society, November g. 1867, = =
By w. w. HoLDEN ESQ. ,e....h
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: regret tbatsome one
was not selected better qualified than an 10 aa-
dress you on this occasion. Though porn IN ING
country among farmers, and accustomed when amo
to rural life, yet my business has not been that OF
sillins the SOIL of handling the axe or guiding the
plough. 1 trust, therefore, that may crave your
indulgence on this occasion for the want Of practical
knowledge which must characterize what shall
have to say. No one however, estimates more high
" than do the great interest OF agriculture, or
that of The mechanic arts, without whose aid the
former would anguish and soon cease to exist. En-
gagged myself more or less in mechanical pursuits
in an art which, whether fine coarse, or whether
the black art" not as it has been called has new
ertheless been the means Of some light to the world
Il trust may claim seat in your councils and an
humble voice in your deliberations for the improve
ment of agriculture and the advancement OF me-
chanical knowledge and skill
These exhibitions, ladies and gentlemen, though
for long period part of the customs OF the old
world, are comparatively Of modern existence with
US. There they. result from spirit OF traffic, the
love Of gain, and the necessities which sharp COM
petition engenders, quite as much as from lauda-
bic disposition to exhibit the products of the farm
and the results of mechanical and artistic skill In
the old world every square yard ground is tasked
to the uttermost to sustain human life and to main
tain and magnify the higher orders, who for the
most part possess the lands. But with us it is diff
ferent Here we have no distinctions except those
based on merit and virtue and here nearly every
farmer is or may be an owner of the SOIL And SO
prolific generally is that soil, and SO easily does it
sustain human life, that instead of being tasked, it
is neglected; and the exhibitions made by US on &C.
casions of this kind are for friendly neighbor.
" comparison. from desire to excel and from con.
sidera,ions of State and County pride, than from any
wish to traffic and sell, and realize money. Not
that self interest should be disregarded at times like
these other proper occasons for self interest is
one of the mansprings human action and when just
y regulated, is Of signal benefit to mankind.
County Fairs and State Fairs are beneficial in many
respects. They bring together, in comparison and
competition the fruits Of the earth, the fabrics of
the manufacturer, and the handiwork of the mechan
ic and the artisan But, after ALL our best pr. due
tons are our men and women and on an autumnal
holiday like this, persons of all callings and condi
tons are assembled, who learn to know each other
better, who take notice of the improvements which
they see around them, who think more than hereto
fore and to better purpose, from a desire them
selves to make improvements and to excel and who,
from this intercourse with each other, and from wit
Messing the practical evidences of the resources and
capabilities of their Counties and their State are in
spired with deeper interest in the general Welfare,
and with a stronger, lofer, and fervent re-
vent regard for the glorious land in which it has
pleased Providence to cast their lot. These autum.
nal gatherings enlivened also by the presence of
the fair daughters of the country, who come with
the works Of their fingers and the products of their
household thoughts and domestic Skill to add grace
and life to the scene-to mingle what is beautiful
with what is useful-and to remind US all, that
though the earth may yield its increase and the in.
genuity Of man may abricate for utility and adorn-
ment still without woman, best productions and
our highest achievements in art and science would
be devoid Ct enjoyment and satisfaction.
The earth, though it may be exhausted for time
BY instructed and injudicious culture, was not
made to wear out. Since first parents were
placed in the garden Of Eden to dress and to keep
It" our race has increased to one thousand millions
Of individuals. These must all have bread, and
many of them uiU have the Injuries of life If the
earth had not been susceptible of improvement, or
ut least Of restoration to its original fertility vast
portions Of our race would long since have persisted
1t is duty it is chief business to "drcss"
the earth and to keep it." The divine command,
in the sweat Of thy brow shalt thou cat bread ali
the days Of thy life }" was blessing in Disguise
Labor was imposed upon man as the penalty of his
first great transgression but the Infinite Mind is
constantly bringing good out Of evil, and light ont
Of Darkness labor has been the great law by which
man has been exalted to his true destiny-the earth
made to TEEN with plenty and beauty, and the very
to be wbitened with the evidences of his ge-
Mus, benevolence, and enterprise. Labor in what
ever calling is the motive power of civilization, of
the arts and sciences which add grace and dignity
to human life, and Of all valuable social progress
Let no one be ashamed of labor. Let no man be
ashamed of hard hand or a sunburnt face. Hon.
est industry is at the support and the pride Of
the State. Arrest it. let it cease on all the EARTH
and not merely decay, but the stsgnaton and the
torpor of death would ensue. The earth labors in
its course, bringing day and night and the admira.
BILE and pleasant succession of the seasons the stars
that look down upon labor and sing in their eter.
nal fields of space; and the great God himself hav.
ing in six days created the heavens and the Garth
"r rested on the seventh day."
"Six days shalt thou labor'-not six DAYS maves,
thou labor-is the divine command It is impera
tive. And for my part never meet laboring nan
imbrowned by toll, or pale from intellectual effort
without warming towards him as to one who con
stantly unites duty with advantage, and who finds
his highest and bis purest happiness in the observ
ance Of this great command.
Yet no one, my friends, labors from the mere Low,
OF it. We are naturally indolent beings. We Ia
Dor to produce in the first place what will supply
our wants next from laudable pride to add to ant
improve wha: we already have; and then to gair
that which engages our fancy or our wish, whatso
ever it may be, and which We have not, by the salt
of that which We have Hence, traffic and com
,merce. The farmer produces, the manufacturer fab
ricates and the merchant purchases to sell. RI