Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-04-16
Ihs STANDARD.
AR. TAf.t.kn,s address.

dVG SS4VVQSV..A
I'M. Attkns ADDRESS.
ldaress desoerea by wnLlAx A. AILss, ESQ, se>
fore tho baplin Agrieuttara1 Society, at Gssa"s-
ellie, Norsm6er 6, 1853 i4tIl sHt-.H
W.. President, Lqdies and Gentlemen:
For several years my Immediate attention has been
entirely diverted from the great Agricultural inter
% another field Of labor l have not, however
leased to feel interest in my old and honoted 90
;ation. hook back to the days Of my youth when
followed the plough in my fathers fields and took
pleasure in viewing the beautiful green waving corn
With moro real heartfelt delight and pleasure than
have ever enjoyed in any Of the varied scenes oil my
past Efe LIE at nest ladies and gentlemen, IS
checkered scene Of pleasure mingled with pain In
deed it is said perhaps with much TRUTH that every
sweet hath its bitter; but you viii permit me here to
remark and do in all candor that the little cxIc
riece and observation that has fallen to my let leads
me irresstbly to the conclusion that the agricutu
rist the tief of the SOIL enjoys more Of the settts
of life than any other class Of Gods created intelli.
gent beings. And why should he not? He lisa real
nobleman, exercising dominion over all he surveys,
the most Independent well as the happiest Of hu-
man beings.
have said that have not ceased to feel an inter
that a man can forget the spot that gave MN
birth the old hearthstone aud freside around which
his first lessons of wisdom were learned, and where
the feelings of pate:na regard were first exhibited
as that one who has enjoyed the life of an agricultu
rst has ceased TO feel an interest in it. New attach
ments and associations may be formed, and our in
tercst cease to be identified with our old native sod
our affections may become bound up with the par
ticular place We may have selected of our own Zee
It'll a. h.,o lDpp
as the pulsations of the heart continue to beat there
must be still small voice within, lingering about
the very soul that speaks out in affectionate sotsr
the old native hearthstone, the old homestead, the
place Of our cherished nativity, the pleasant joyous
scenes Of our youth. These, all Of them, linger
about the SOUL and whenever anything connected
with them is mentioned, you may see the eye spar
kle and the Utmost soul beam forth its rays Of SOFT
tender affection for the scenes Of childhood and the
objects that surrounded it. Even when the last YES
tge of hope of again seeing these dear objects
is far removed from the mind, our affections
twined around them, and cling to them in imagina-
ton with deathlike grasp. Talk with the old man
about the old homestead and the scenes Of his YOUTH
and witness the emotions Of his heart it grows
warmer and warmer, as his interest becomes deeper
and deeper the voice elevates itself higher and
higher in eulogistic enthusiasm. and tell me if YOU
can that there is nothing sacred in thinking, talking
abont. contemplating upon the scenes If our youth.
Our affections ought to he, are bound up with the
objects and circumstances that surround US Prac-
tically, we think. talk, act in connection with
Others. But then there is tender sadness and plea
in rejecting upon things of this kind that CON-
pletely MASTER not the Judgment, but the soft SYM
pathetic feelings of the SOUL These things are so
they ought to be so !; and the man who has no SYM
patty with such feelings, has nothing of the refine
1nent Of the cultivated heart about him.
1t occurs to me that something Of these feelings
get hold of my heart, when l undertake to think
of the great subject of Agriculture love to think
Of it. 1t brings up along with it my boyhood days
and with them there are many pleasant recollectons
and they inspire the very soul with emotions Of the
tenderest "reminiscences.
Feelings and sentiments something kindred to
these and earnest desire to say something that
was calculated to advance the Agricultural interest
of the country. particularly that Of Duplin county,
have prompted me to accept the invitation kindly
extended to to deliver the address on this occa-
sion. Not that am vain enough to suppose that I
am very capable of advising YOU on so important q
subject that Of Agricultural science or even say
anything that is very new and original in relation
the different modes of cultivation and the practical
results Of Agriculture. subject that has been talk
Ell about, written and thought upon so much by the
greatest minds of the country; but that might at
least manifest my interest in it. have accepted this
invitation. In this way l mean to show nv desire
for the promotion of Agriculture even thoug by 50
doing subject myself to the criticism of men vino
know less even than do
The day is not distant in the future, hope. when
the farmer shall occupy his true position in society
This can ought to be attained and that position Is
in the front ranks Of american society, at least
The enquiry naturally cones up, how can the object
be attained: While do not propose to 70 much
into this subject some remarks and observations or
an occasion like the present may not be considered
out of place. 1t is Certainly subject WORTHY of oul
consideration. l approach it with some degree o
dfiidence, for the reason that fear my views ma,
he regarded as somewhat old ogyis in this progress
i've age. when every thing goes by telegraph
hope, however, that my remarks will not be so cen
strued for profess to be one of the progressive
myself. though I am for taking hold Of new ideas
and Incorporating them with the we'll established in
situations and customs of the country, which hav,
worked SO well for our national prosperity. onl,
after they have undergone full and fair investiga
ton In other words. am for conservative progress
If the term is allowable in these days of strict &C
countability. My opinion is, that the farmer ha
only to respect himself and his vocation, in order
command the respect of others. In the first plac
we must endcavor to correct some errors that unfor
tunately prevail over the land In the present day
it farmer has son whose promotion he desires t
forward instead of assisting in keeping IN a 200,
country or nelghborhood school where he might an,
ought to educate his son. at least during his tcne
years, when the manners and habits are beginning
to FORM and thereby promote and elevate his partis
ular neighborhood it is too frequently the case tina
the little tetto1 is sent to some neghboring school
and there kept until prepared for college, with n
one to superintend and watch over his Young min
but his teacher and landlord, who of course canno
and ought not care any more one boy under the
charge than another, and. having SO many to attca
to- they can do little else than provide for his pe
sonal comfort and intellectual literary, cultivation
The moral training Of the boy, so important j
youth except by precepts can be but little attende
to. The important lessons that are taught so Al
propriately around the freside, and which can
more forcibly impressed upon the young mind hy
mother or father, are too frequently neglecte,
Besides, I maintain that but few men have m;ni
capable Of approaching real practical life, who ha,
never been taught to work. By keeping our chi
dren at home and sending them to the neighborhoe
school, and learning them to work when not
school, until they are old enough to appreciate the
opportunities when they are sent from under the p
rental roof to another school of higher grade xhe
their education may be completed, thew learn N y
merely to respect their fathers vocation. and to