The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-11-03


never compelled to submit to tha
which is wrong - .md dslE as
In our vast accession of territory il
Texas, California and Oregon, no consid
erations of increasing power, in any pos
sible collision With foreign nations, eve
mingled in7the slightest degree into tn
neg 9tiatioust When those and othe
new States, formed out of our own ter
-ritories, came, teen,ing into tho Union
the all absorbing idea was more State
and more territory for the future farm
and homes of the sons and daughters q
freedom-cheap and abundant snbsis
tence for them and their descendants for
ever No one ever thought to inquir'
how many new regiments they coulS
bring into the field ;. OF what heets could
hoaton their ma agnifeentdakes aud rivers
Climate, soil, minerals, adaptationt Il
manufactures and to the mechanic arts
were keeuly impaired after, and were tht
sole elements that entered into all thes,
grand expansions of oar country.
When these acquisitions of territory
shall be fairly analysed. and the facts
CONNECTED With them shall take theil
proper places in history. the American
character will stand fully vindicatec
against the charge of inordinate lust
after power and dominion. Sue will moi
only stand vindicated against the charge
of aggression, butshe will stand out fore
most among the nations of the earth, q,
having doDe more than any of them IN
promoting the good of mankind by the
encouragement of agriculture and it's de
pendent Arts and sciences. These are
the solid foundations on which must be
built the happiness and prosperity OF
every people. Let England have it, il
she will, that she possesses the largest
feet that sails or steams on the ocean
Let France truly boast that she has the
best appointed and disciplined army in
the world. Let Russia exult in her
battiements and towers that frown def
ance to all Europe--but let it be the
pride and glory of America to have done
more to promote the happiness and pros
perity of the general masses of mankind
than any nation of the Old World
More, by the establishment of a just
and equal foI m of representative govern
meDt More, by the lawful acquisition
of territory best suited to furnishing
them with the most abundant, and even
elegant subsistence. More, by the en-
couragement of manufactures and the
IN echanic arts essential to their comfort
and convenience, More, by the diffusion
among all classes of the blessings of a
sound, thorough .edueatien-industrial,
moral and intellectual. Let my country
excel in these and I am willing to con
cede to other nations call the pomp and
circumstances of glorious war"
OF course | have no opportunity of
discussing these great elements of ma
tional prosperity. Each of them is it.
self theme too vast for the present oc-
casion. AS agriculture is the founda-
tion on which they all rest, | shall con
fine myself to that subject.
| shall attempt no lecture on the de-
tails of pactical farming. The vast and
varied exhibition clearly shows that on
the subject shall be your pupil, not
your instructor The farmer is here,
my instructor in the rich and varied
productions of his fields. The manufac-f
turer is here, my instructor in his Curl
ously wrought and costly fabrics. The
mechanic is here, my instructor in the
wonderful ingenuity of his peculiar art.
And, above all, the fair daug ghters and
matrons of Tennessee are here, my in
struetors in the beautiful and delicate
textures of their own handswork. But
while am conscious of my inability to
enlighten you on any of these particular
subjects, do not feel at liberty to over
look what l have long regarded as q
great and injurious defect in american
agriculture. s7t e 90 z-esg j.
In this country the farmer generally
holds an iudefeasible title to the broad
acres he cultivates. He moves proudly
over his fields, and surveys with salts
faction the crops which are growing upon
them. But he will not stop in his
money making career to build his neat
cottage, or his more costly mansion, ac-
co.ding to his circumstances. He will
not adorn his grounds, nor plant his or
chards of delicious fruits. He will
waste no time on sbrubbery and flowers.
He will prepare no healthful cistern,
Dor lead the gushing fountain to his
door. All is left rude, inconvenient,
and uncomfortable around him, with
nothing TO lure either himself or his fam
Ily away from the Establishments oil some
town or city. Every famer
md planter should make his home, to
himself or his household the dearest and
oveliest spot no earth. Though he may
nave no marble palace, no rich and costly
furniture, no liveried servants, still, there
Is his homestead beautifed aud ADORNED
with every embellishments OF taste and
fancy. Who would be willing to leave
such a home, with it's arcadian bowers
and its pure and sparkling waters, for
the dust and smoke Uf the crowded cltyY
And how strange is this passion for
,ity over country life which we s often
It comet spring from any
nordinate desire to grow rich, for agri
culture rewards her followers more
than any other pursuit It
is passion for pleasure and display
more than for riches. Some men desire
10 live in palaces built in the city, that
hey may be seen aud admired. They
desire costly equipages; but they must
glitter in the city, attracting the admi-
;atiou of thousands who would never be-
lold them in the solitude of the country.
rne theater, the hall, and the masquer
.de present their nightly attractions,
While they are seldom heard of in rural
ife. The devotee of more questionable
pleasures finds in the city ready facilities
If indulgence. which are entirely remoy-
d in the plain and virtuous organization
If country eociety Whatever the mo-
ives this preference given by SO many
o city life is productive of some of the
,reatest evils of the present age. In
he fondness, of hope that something