, 1859-09-14

the fair and lovely daughters of the land hare
come to join in this Ereat carnival Of agricul-.
ture, this jubilee Of natiou's husbantry. We're
the .oclal effect Of such gathering alone to be
considered, it would be difficult to estimate the
Fainc Of occasions which bring together thu
citizens Of every section Of our extensive couu-
:ry. and establish relations Of deep and lasting
friendship between tlem-whete the asperitirs
and rsc}udices epgendered end cherished by
false Impressions are all fused in the crucib:e of
good feeling and nothing rcmains but the dross
upon the surface, to be scattered like dust br
the slightest breath Of patriotism. but there
are other and stronger reasons for our nssoci-
alton. pertaining directly to the advancement Of
our profession as agricu1turikts. From
period in the his!ory Of chr rountrY rocval With
the formation Of the general government, the
farmers Of the country have fe!. the want Of a
more Intimate union by which alone that con-
cert Of action 50 essential to their common in.
terests could be effected.
They commenced with county md district
associations, which gradually developed into
State societies. Still, however, they found them.
selves deficient IN tlat union bstweeu the sey-
eral parts Of the country, which could alone sc.
cure to each ths benefits of the improvements
made By all, and could gise to the profession
Of Agriculture that influence in The nation,
which is alike necessary to protect it from tic
effect Of injurious iegislation-to command for
It that degree Of aid md projection to which it
Is justly entitled, and to .i.e the farmers Of
America position among those Of The world
commensurate with the power and dignity OF
the American people. The National Society thus
became natural development Of State institu-
hons. Alter many Intellectual attempts, attended
With rarious degrees Of euccess. the Convention
10 which the present society was formed ASSEM-
bled ut the city Of Washington in the year 1851.
III this convention eiercn State Societies were
represented By delegations, and distinguished
agricutturists from twelve other States and
territories participated in It's proceedings
among the latter were Aillard Fillmore, fFesi-
deut of the United States; Daniel Webster, Sec
rotary ofState; Senators Bell, cf Tennessee, and
Dawson, Of Georgia; ind the distinguished
Senator from Illinois, now present, was mem
Der Of the committee by whom the constitution
was prepared. The venerable George Wash
iBGton puske Custis wus also q member, and
scrred az Vice President until his death.
Relying upon the support Of generous and
discriminating people, bv whom it was created
and for whom it was prepared to labor
it commenced forthwith series Of annual M
tioual Exhibitions, which have now continued,
with unfai'iug regularity for a period Of seren
years. During this time it las collected and
disbursed more than $l12 900, the effect OF
which upon the wealth of the nation it would be
difficult 10 estimate. IL every city where its
Fairz have been held, an amount has been ex-
pended. and stimulus giycn to every depart
,neut"of business far beyond the cost Of secu-
ring its attendance. AID who tl,nt beholds tie
display by which we ure At present surrounded,
can say that it has not become an established
Institution Of Tue country and that tue country
itself has not been elevated to higher postum
by tue evidence which is thus afforded of the
energy and power Of its people. But few briet
years have clapsed since this city, already
claiming to be the grana1y Of tue world, was Al,
outpost on the frontier settlements Of our coun-
tEy-beyond it wa8 boundle4s wilderness, in
hobited only by the Savage and the beasts Of
tue 1orest.
Will you pardon ME, brother Farmers of Til.
uois and Wisconsin, OF Iowa aud Minnesota, IL
yield for moment to the influence Of over
powcring associations co1ptcted with that
evenitul periud in your history-when the pio-
ueera Of your now smiling and pcncetul country
were fleeing in terror from the tolnaha~k and
scaplng knife Of the sasage; when their wives
and children were crowded together in the block
house at Fort Dearborn. which stoodin the rery
tleast Of your now populous city-a fn,ali bods
Of troops Was sent from the s.ntx.ard TO afford
them buccor and protection. c; slut iIl.s:,ts5
band. who wcrc exposed to the t.t'.ic'a yieia.i
tudes Of war md pestienee, il WIS ny iet % !,e
member. You will not wh. der, therefore,
that feel peculiar interest in ynu- growth
md prosperity, ind that when I LOOK "n t!.c IT,
miiar scenery Of your luke rad river. I'D Link
Of your buNndltss p.airies, ovc- Which | have
marched with no other guide than the compass
mud the sun, feel that au1 not stranger. aud
that in bidding you welcome on your own soil,
I'm exercising the privilege Of cnc who may
In brief period utter the cvents 10 which /
have alluded, the rushing tide Of cmi.
grafton came pouring in through those
great lakes. whose commerce now riruls
that of our Atlantic coast, and pressing
onward to the fatlhest verge Of navigation,
found its way to ttia favored spot, where the
eastern projection Of the dsy prairie meets tl'e
western extremity Of igation on the lakes
From this common poiut Of departure they
spread throughout that territory which their
labors have converted into m empire, and the
returning s1de Of commerce has built up mart
for the outlet Of their products, the growth Of
which has not been cqualed By that OF apy city
in the world.
1t was the proud boast Of the great Peter
that 10 had built IN imperial city but where
shall We find another instance Of a city which
has attained tue magnitude Of Chicago BY the
fruits Of agriculture alone She is lit emblem
Of The power Of the West, which is alrcndr com.
pttiug for the control Of the nation. cnd M at tue
last annual meeting Of this society III Washing.
ton, c!a1mcd ag q matter Of right the location u
the next annual fair. To tue State Of 1!lino il
seemed to be justly due for the roll ofler agrcul
surai Societies has already exceeded that Of my
other Statc, nrd she alone }'rrscutcd more than
one competitor for the hono:. The city ofpcor1a
su,ult in numbers but lurge in enterprise end
confident IN her own resources, Was first tn the
field, mud cyinccd libcrulity Which, in proper.
ton 10 her ahility, was even greater than that o
| her more fortunate rival. Considerations o
national policy compelled us 10 decide againh
hcr-Lut her spirit aud generosity excited OIL
highest admiration, and here besprnk from u
the exhibitors now present their patronage
her Fair which will be held during the cnsuini
week.
And now let US contemplate for d moment tn
scene before us, and the duties which it involves
What un evidence does it afford nf the irrcsisti
bic energy Of the American people. Less thsi
| Ixty days ago the bosom Of this beautiful rrai
rie was reposing in quiet loneliness Nher
the stiffness Of nature then rcirncd supreme
all il now~seening with life and energy. Til
| list Of articles now entered, As Eteatcr than q
apy similar occasion aud twice rs large 4s thu
ut the State Fair in this city only four year
ago. 1t embraces already sixteen States an
the Province Of Canada, extending from th
| British Provinces to Texas, and fiom the Altar
tic to the rncitjc.
Fifty-seven Agricultural md uorticultur1
Societies nrc now represented By delegation
embracing seventeen States, one Territory, tt
District Of Columbia mud tue Cauada
Grounds SO extensive us 10 require for the fir
| time The establishment Of a line Of conveyanc
to transport spectators from one part Of IL
exhibition to another, are eucirclet with Il IT,
ing wall Of the finest specimens OF tic ansm
creation. Halls which riral in extent the In
! mcnsc dcpots Of commerce, are crowded bey OF
their capacity with the creations Of genius m
art. Extensive areas are covered with The pr,
ductiops Of mechanical skill and ingenuity, ar
esen beyond the limits the exhibition, ,rai1roa'
have been constructed 10 convey 10 our gat
the pant:ng coursers uf Tue i-on way, who lot
defiant upon yonr enclosures, and ike tile &c
coursers Of the turf, demand admission to yo
lists, and decision upon their respective nc
its The telegraph and printing press arc
| constant operation, and eEcry department
busincfs ia fully represented. By the awar
which will here be made, the interests Of Il
farmer aud The valne Of property Of ere
description mar be affected 10 Gu extent aamO
! Incredible, not only By the depreciation OF wh
Z is realls valuable, but by promoting tue iutz
: | du uction Of articles which arc worthless, NJ
| will onty prozc source o[ Tcxation and lois
those who tnAy TINS be induced to purcba
; them. Let me urge upon the judges in
/. various departments to act fatrly and !sar1e:!
: in full view Of their hi III responsibility. !
t them not swcEvc from tic path Of duty. ell
j. wilful|y orfrom want Of thorough investigate
\ Let them remember that it is their dutT to sci
rate the wheat from the chuH-tbat they ,
r eoualy bound to condemn the worthless =
!. commend the good. The correctness Of th
E awards involves not only their onn rcputatt
!. but that Of the Society. and. to some extent,
! ercn the eoun:.t itself.
= And when in at1er years the value Of resps
= ivc nremiun,a shall be discussed. let th
: awarded at Chicago be distinguished for fairns
o integrity and strict reliability.