The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-19
TWO CENTS
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ATHoME.

thank you gentlemen, for that kind invitation which
has conferred the honor and happiness Of being
present with you to-day and especially do thank you
my feowc citizens for the cordial reception which you
/ have just extended TO
return full Of gratitude gratitude
all the kindness, personal social and political which
through long le you have failed TO bestoW upon
me. return 10 mingle in political contest where
each party is struggling for ascendency and power, but
to witness with Joy your continued zeal and progress In
the most ancient useful and honorable profession
il followed BY man-the profession Of agriculture s.
i -Four years ago. when assisting my fellow: citizens OF
East Tennessee to marguerite their first annual fair
proclaimed that the spirit which animated that large
sembythe spirit that had animated the eight
thousand persons at Nashville and Galatin similar
occasions unerring assurance of triumphant VIC
i tory every obstacle
In the next year. had the honor Of meeting my fell
oTetzens Of the western district at Jackson, ut their
great annual exhibition Of that year Looking the
vast assembly and gazing the noble specimens of ag
ricultural production, could not withhold the excla
nation, Fortunate oonntTy Happy people In all
this who does not hail the future greatness Of TENNESSEE
Who does the hand of wise and overrung Prov
dence beckoning her onward to the very highest destiny
among her sister States OF the Union r.
II these my sentiments and opinions at the open
Ing dawn of this great enterprise you may well imagine
how joyous must be my emotions returning
10 Tennessee, and standing in the midst of her farmers
and planters the proud compeer Of those of any other
State in the noble work of agricultural Improvement
The statesman, toIing and aboring for renown wins
his way to the gratitude and admiration of his country
the soldier painting for glory amid the smoke and carnage
OF battle is crowned with the aurels of victory; the
OF science stretching his cable from continent to
continent snatches the ghtnngs from the heavens and
sends them flashing around the world speaking the Ian
gage Of every people who nhabit it but Of these
fairly outrival the patient dignhed and enlightened
eultvat0r of the earth Such has been the Judgment of
mankind from the remetest ages. The Of Cincin
natus much honored in the page Of Roman history
by his devotion to agriculture for having driven back
the invaders of his country. "The villas Of Cicero and
Hortensus at Tuscuum attest their veneraton and at
tchment 70 occupation which the Georgics of Virgil
have rendered immortal So Of great Washington
in modern times. He was called from the corn and
wheat fields of Virginia to command the armies of the
Revolution Jackson conducting in person his plant
ing operations in the fields of the Hermitage when he
summoned to the command Of that army which soon
covered him, well as ITSELF with immortal honor
Mr.. Webster and Mr. Clay, when walking amid their
hocks and herds and the great Carolnan at his simple
homestead exhibited true nobleness of character
than when pouring out their matchess eoquence in the
forum the Senate House .#
In the United States have every reason 10 suppose
that this appreciation of agriculture is not destined ever
to be less than at the present period In the early years
Of the republic it strongly impressed the public
mind that the nations of the Old World and par
ticulary that from which had separated i'll at
ease under the new form OF government which we had
established. .-..
The apprehension could not for long time be resisted
that one of them might seize any favorable
moment arising out Of dssensions other exterior
cause, to extinguish the light OF free institutions
which, flashing the regal governments Of Europe
might reveal the dissatisfaction of their subjects
Hence it that all that related national defence
army navy and the Notifications our extend
ed line OF coast received marked and especial at
tention far rs our limited resources would admit
Even when Louisiana purchased the acquisition was
hailed chiefly Increase Of national power by which,
in future times should be better enabled to resist
gresson, and to maintain, unquestioned, posi-
tion among the independent nations OF the earth Dat
the United States have long been assured against all those
apprehensions. They proudly repoee the firm
/ off
ment which they have. established be
fully assaied They feel and know that, whilst they
viii ask of other nations anything but what is
right, they be compelled to submit to that
which il wrong.
In accession of territory in Texas California
and Oregon. considerations of increasing power in
any possible collision with foreign nations mingled
in the slightest degree into the negotiations When these
and other States formed out Of territories
teeing into the Union the alabsorbing idea was
more States and more territory for the future farms and
homes Of the and daughters Of eedom-eheap and
abundant subsistence for them and their descendants for
ever. No one ever thought to inquire how many new
regiments they could bring into the field what fleets
could float on their magnificent lakes and rivers C
mate soil, minerals, adaptation to manufactures and to
the mechanic arts keenly inquired AFTER and
the sole elements that entered nto all these grand
pansions of our country.
When these acquisitions Of territory shall be fairly anay
zed aud the facts connected with them shall take their
proper places in history, the American character will
stand fully yindcted against the charge of nordnate
vndcated against the charge of aggression but she will
stand out foremost among the nations Of the EARTH
having done more than any of them in promoting the
good Of mankind by the encouragement Of agriculture
and its dependent arts and sciences These are the solid
foundations which must be built the happiness and
prosperity OF every people, Let England have it. IL she
WILL that she possesses the largest fleet that sails
steams on the let France truly boast that she has
the best appointed and disciplined army in the world let
Rusa exut in her battlements and that own de-
ance to all EuTopebut let il be the pride glory sf
America to have done promote the happiness and
prosperity Of the general Of mankind than any
nation OF the Old World mare by the establishment
OF just and equal form Of representative government
by the lawful ae4uistion Of territory best suited to
furnishing them with the most abundant and ee
gant subsistence mere by the encouragement OF
ctures and the mechanic essential their comfort
and convenience more, BY the diffusion among all classes
of the blessings Of sound, thorough education indus
trial, moral and Intellectual Let my country excel In
these, and willing 10 conceie to other nations ail
the pomp and circumstances Of glorious war;
OF course have no opportunity to discuss these great
elements OF national prosperity Each Of them il itself
theme too vast for the present occasion As agriculture
is the foundation on which they all rest shall confne
myself TO that subject.
shall attempt lecture the details Of practical
farming The vast and varied exhibition before us clear
ly shows that on that subject should be your pupil not
your Instructor The farmer Is here my instructor in
the rich and varied productions Of his fields The man
ufacurer s here my Instructor In his curousy wrought
and costly fabrics The mechanic is here nv instructor
in the wonderful ingenuity Of his peculiar art And
above all, the fair daughters and matrons Of Tennessee
here, my instructors in the beautiful and delicate
Of hapdfworE rhil.t n 80