Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-01-07


table spread in any day of the year among
the many millions of Great Britain,
whore the potato in some form was not
found. In 1916 it constituted from three
to four-fifths of the entire food of the
people of Ireland, the total crop being
of the estimated value of sixty-fve mil
lions of dollars. About this latter date
the blight, more familiarity known as the
potato-rot, fell upon this esculont TO
the poor Of Great Britain it was worse
than Il protracted war Gaunt Famine
entered into their doors and took up his
abode with them. As the apparition of
Herod in the Jud@an household it came,
10 the Irish mother, like Rachel Of
Ramah, was weeping for her children,
and would not be comforted, because
they were not. Follow the political eff
feet of all this Adam Smith, support
ed by all the politico-economical science
of his day, had Numbered for years at
the barred gates of the protective sys-
tenn, in vain. Leaders in Parliament,
famed both for courage and ability, had
joined in the attack, but yet the bastions
of the apparently impregnablc fortress
frowned defiance to their efforts. The
liberal press of England, with a power
rarely equalled, had piled their .wcll-di-
rected batteries against the feudal towers
and frowning battlemcnts behind which
restriction was intrenched, and still it
stood grim and inmovable. But 10
that wild, despairing Rachel-cry from
across the Channel! The wall mounts
like surging wave to the foot of the
throne dashes itself against the fortress
that had withstood science, party, and
the press, and the Dastile Of protection
is swept away forever-yes, forever =
Agriculture gave to Britain the food
which for fifty years fed two-thirds of
Ireland. She closed her hand upon the
supply, and the ports of the empire opened
to the grains Of the world, never to be
closed.
"Swcet are the uses Of adversely,
Which like the toad ugly and yenomous,
Wears yet precious jewel in his head
And this our life, exempt from public haunt
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running
brooks
Sermons in stones and good in everything"
Having thus glanced at some Of the
moral, social and political connections Of
Agriculture, permit me in conclusion to
offer my warmest congratulations to the
farmers Of Montgomery, upon the evil
dences which, not only here, but every.
where throughout your borders, are fur
nished Of steady progress in your noble
calling. Where from many points of
view, in my own recollection, was once
sterllity, with its rough and unnviting
slopes, now are seen grand curves and
swells Of yerdure, as soft in their delicate
yet vast outlines as if great Nature had
lain herself down among your hills to
sleep. Let your past successes encour-
age you to new efforts. Suffer no tempo
rary Heterogeneous to a2pal you God
has coyenanted to you spring-timc and
harvest. His promise year by year is
painted in glory upon the arches of IIea-
ven, and as often fulfilled in the plenty
which surrounds you.
To the fair ladies', whose deft hands
have wrought these fabrics which are
hung here as the banners Of their craft
md the monuments Of their housewifery
| beg leave to offer the expression of the
great delight and satisfaction which |
have felt in the examination of these
trophies of their nimble skin. | had an
eye for such when boy; ! trust have
not lost it since. A large part Of my
own outer gearing, from early infancy to
we'll grown youth, was Montgomery
The face that bent over it
hat perhaps wept over it, when it was
returned to her faithful hands in sadly
damaged state, (for even Montgomery
landlwork will not always stand the wear
md tear Of mumble-peg and marbles, } |
hough comparatively youthful then, is
now. May Time lay bis hand
gently on her head, and ever with bles-
ings!
thank you for the patient attention
,iycn to me, while | have thus taxed
our kindness.