The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-04-03

HI.
ondiy Tor expectation. Surplus food and
surplus raw material of every kind. and
surplus manufacture, compel the miro.
duetlon OF Commerce. AS agriculture Il
can never attain to any grea, perfection
IN a parely agricultural country, these
manufactures and commerce become inn
| portant adjuncts to busbandrv, but
through the ignorance of governments,
these, are often made TO conflict with it,
| rather than to aid it.
England, mised by the erroneous
views OF Adam Smith in reference TO ,be
true source OF national wealth, during his
time, greatly neglected her agriculture,
by fostering manufactures. She soon
saw, however, her mistake, and changed
her Pohcy. The history of our oun coun,
ry, shows that at the very time England
vas beginning to set the true relation of
government to labour, Mr.. Clay and
John Quincy Adams were opposing fee
rade aud insisting upon an odious tqyiF.
LOW much agriculture has suffered in
our own country, from the unjust and
ghorant interference Of the government,
would be impossible for us to deter.
NINE. Suffice 1t to say, every interference
on The part of government with the sew
erai brances Of labor, is always attended
with evil. The success of acricuI,nre
manufactures aid commerce, should each
be left to depend upon the iudcious an.
phcntlon of the labor, skill, and capital of
individuals engaged in them. Every
government is established to protec, ali
ITS citizens equally, in the peaceabe en-.
Joyment and disposal Of their honest
| gains-utere tuun,, ut teclas nemini. The
prayer OF the farmer to The Legislature
should always be, let us alone. Tie field
for discussion which these several sub.
Jects open up, is far too wide for us TO
enter it further Suffice it to say then
that the modern science Of Political
ECONOMY has determined the precise re
.a'ion OF government to these several
brances Of labor, and established the rela-
tive Importance Of our subject also.
Sensible OF the paramount Importance
OF agriculture, we have thus endeavored
to lay before you, as fully rs was posi-
Die, IN the limits allowed to an addres.
both Its absolute and its relative impor
tance. We feel sensible that we have
iai'en far short Of doing to the subject
justice. Called upon through tie kind
ness OF your Committee, to present its
claims to public consideration, in the
midst OF universal excitement upon other
topics, we might well have trembied for
ourself, and trembled for our subject. if
IT had been one difficult of application.
But fortunately for us, Mr.. President.
while this is true of many subjects, which
i"ii within the range OF public discussion,
II Is no sense true of ours. Ours is
subject, which will survive the excitement
OF the present hour. 1t is subject which
admits Of universal application, and must
continue to engage the attention Of man.
wherever IN the wide bounds OF civiIiza.
ton be may be, and as long AS he re.
Gains upon the earth. When chosen
sit, to preside over The agricultural inter-
est OF your State, it was no mean posi
ton to which your friends called YOU
However high you may have stood be.
tore, the moment you We're called to that
chair, YOU were invited to come up high
er. Whoever may succeed you to it, the
moment he takes it, he will be seated
alongside the great men Of the earth
ANA Ms long SIR as you may continue to
MI IT, with SO much honor both 10 your,
self and to your friends, who raised YOU
To 1t, y"u Will hold a position in reference
to the agricultural interest, the prime in,
teresI OF your State, scarcely less impor.
tant, than does your distinguished Exec.
ulive himself. For while he, as An an,
gel OF liberty. holds in his band the fam,
ing sworc: of justice, which overhanps
and guards the tree, you dig abou, its
roots and dung it, and cause i, to swell.
and bud, and fructfy. Neither is the vo.
cation of the humbiest farmer of the
good Ole North State, one Of which he
need he ashamed for as he follows his
pIow and looks 10 the President for pro
lection, the Psesideut looks to him 70,
bread The honest farmer therefore, Of
whatever country, Of whatever cline he
may be, but more especially the Amer.
can farmer, who holds the fee simple 70
the soil he cultivates-the honest hard
working farmer, wherever he NAV be,
whatever he may be doing, whether he
be telling the forest, digging ditch, fen.
cling ground, planting tree, or follow
ing HIS p'ow, as he enjoys the approving
smiles OF his God, who makes his bright
sun in the heavens above him, TO dart
his gladeuing rays across his furrows--as
he thus enjoys the approval Of bis Maker,
he certainly deserves the commendation
OF bis fellows. Well may the farmers of
every country, but more especially the
American farmers because OF their supe
rior advantages, be proud Of their occup
lion. and of their happy homes. This
especially, is an auspicious day to the far.
mer, why then should il not lie TO him
day Of rejoicing
Farmers Of Mecklenbp.g let us rejoice
together on this the return Of your an.
niversary; let us rejoice that we are
American citizens; that We are American <
farmers. Let us turn for moment from
the angry sea Of politics, whose troubled
waters cannot rest bat which continue 10