Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-10-10
By Hon. Z. L. Humphrey

MEx:-In selecting me TO deliver an Adj
dress before You, | am mindful OF the
fact that it was not with the idea, or
with tue expectation that | was versed
in tho particular matters of interest to
you as a Society; | therefore moro fully
appreciate the honor thus conferred, and
may simply say, that | have endcavorcd
to not disappoiut you entirely, AMI if |
shall so far succeed, l shall be gralilicd
that tn, confidence yoa hare reposed in
me has not been entirely in vain.
You had just taken your position in
the front column, as the banner county
of the State anil made yourselves promi-
nent in the various departments Of AS
r;cultnre. suited To its soil anu climate !;
by yonr labor, by your tell and Industry
you were making rapid progress as 4
county, in developing your resources and
and bringing the hidden wealth TO Tie
surface: in opening up as good soil as
our noble Young State can boast, and
thereby gaining an enviable reputation
through her borders. when sound WAS
heard, clear and distinct, of q
gathering storm, threatening the
destruction of fabric that lad been
reared at the expense Of ceasless toll.
tireless thought, nations intellect and
g. genius.
In common with other societies of
your kind, your arlor was damponed,
your hopes and efforts chiiIc'l 10y the sad
Gening news that civil strife always
brings.
Yet with tn;s, came another thought,
that although We had SO long followed
peaceful pursuits, and must now learn
war, it was we'll perhaps that it had como
lie our day, and it was for US to say
whether this Republic. as the Queen Of
the West, should rise up as & beacon 10
all nations that should come after her, or
be dragged into iusi.n;licance and per-
haps oblivion. by an institution which in
stead of favoring civilization, looked to-
wards absolute power III the hands of an
Aristocracy.
You looked the battling eicrnelts in
the face, and did your duty. Again you
renew your efforts toGive prominence to
the products of your soil and dignity to
your labor-yes, dignity to your labor,
in thus bringing together the best
fruits of your soil; in discussing its cult
walton; expressing your opinions to each
other, based upon your own experien &c
in some department of agriculture in
which your varions tastes have led, you
make experiments, upon which you have
bestowed much tiale perhaps, aud excr-
cisel much care, that your observations
might benefit others; and you return
from each exhibition of your industry in :
cited TO still greater effort TO add to the
mex. your mites TO the display
of the triumpls of Agriculture and Art.
DR.. Johnson once said, that he who
did anything, that prior 10 its perform
aHce he thought he could not DO. not on
" benefited himself, out conferred last
ing favor on all mankind; AMI that he
who caused n blade Of grass to grow where
none grew before, was public bcnefac
tor. 50, IN the various experiments up
on your soil, in its modes Of cultivation,
either for small or coarse grains. roots.
vines, or garden fruits; or experiment
ing with varie;ics; YOU perform ;liat
which often produces new AMI unexpcct-
Cd results, receiving incaicuIaJlc benefit
to Yourself, anil eager 70 impart it 10 9th
erS; little thinking that you are giving to
the world new chapter in the science
which above all Others gives true hapi-
ness TO the greatest number.
In saying that it gives true happiness
to the greatest number. l believe L am
justified 10y the facts. Tho means of
life are most easily produced where the
science of agriculture has reached the
highest state Of advancement and pefec-
ton; and all classes and conditions of
men are more prosperous and happy
where the means of life are most easily
obtained. If We wish an Illustration of
this, We have but to ref to the Western
and Northwestern States. We have the
example here at home No man among
us tolls unrewarded. Ali other things
Being equal, with the Same toll he advan-
ces in wealth and prosperity with an ac-
tolerated speed compared with the East
ern States. His toll is not laborious ii it
is simply to satisfy the present de-
mands of life.
And what are the results? One is,
III. ....aI tLo, ,lo ,,.o.a e a. :