The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-10-26
AN NUAL ADDnEss
Delivered before tho Oregon State Agri-
cultural Society, at Salem, October
11th, 1917
BIZ L. u. DUfuR.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN or TIE 0RE-
CON STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY;
La accepting the courteous invitation
Of your President to deliver the annual
address Of 1861, allow me to express my
thanks for the honor thus conferred
upon me. In compliance with that re.
quest, on this occasion, | shall offer no
APOLOGY for nconpetency in striving to
fulfill the task which have undertaken,
begging leave to remark that my expert
ence in public speaking is very limited.
You are aware, as is frequently, and may
| not add, too often the case, in 'nearly
all of our public gatherings, where the
people assemble to listen to discourses
embracing various subjects, it is custom
ary to select professional men 10 do the
speaking, as those best able to handle
and discuss tho different topics of the
day In some instances such selections
may be wise aud judicious, but where
the asseinblage like this is composed
chiefly Of those who look upon lite as a
| plaip reality, aud depend mostly upon
tphysical eSertions as means Of sup
| port, We believe it would be iupolitic
and inpracticable, if not detrimental to
the interests Of the people Of the whole.
Lawyers may expound the laws Of equity,
physicians may explain the different
methods of their practice, diyines may
reason the points of theology, and the
laboring masses, farmers and tradesmen,
should ever be ready to advocate ,hs
principles Of their own ayccatious. When
farmer is invited to make plea in
court Of ehaucery, . carpenter 10 lecture
upon the science Of medicine, ar black
smith is solicited 10 discourse upon the
laws of divinity. then may the rcpreScn-
tatives of every branch OF Industry we'll
repay the compliment IS seeking informa-
ton from professional advice. as applicable
20 the interest IF their respC c;ivc callings.
No doubt there are many in our State
who follow the plow and shove the plane,
lay brick in Mortar, or strike at the an
vii, capable of delivering addresses suit
| able at all times In any community and
this society, composed of aud supported
by the producing classes, having as it,
object mutual Improvement in all the de.
partments of enterprise aud industry,
should bean 10 mind that theory without
practice is not available in accomplishing
any beneficial results toward ciicctIng
that object. Merit alone is deserving OF
honor, and true merit belongs TO men of
worth instead of words Aud should
this maxim be adopted throughout the
moving circles of our country. TO govern
every action, civil, political and religious.
we would be better, a wiser, aud more
prosperous people. In Offering these sug-
gcStions for your consideration, have
10 other motive in view than 70 uphold
the Importance Of the laborer in public
estimation, for his works justly cntitle
him to the highest houors that man may
receive or give. Why should wc shrink
from toll aud look upon il as rendering
meuial service! Docs not Nature, the
great Author of perfection teach us
every hour By His examples Of continual
toll written everywhere throughout Ills
ordinance, the condition Of our being,
and the circumstances with which lie
has surrounded us, that TO labo. il obedi
ence to just decree? Then Jet us not
reject the means we have now Mt com
mand, of accepting and sharing the
bounties nature so freely aud abundantly
places at our disposal, in supplying all
our wants with the neecssaries Of lie,
when our attention turns TO a legitimate
calling. We hope the time is fast ap-
preaching, when everyone shall be known
by the fruits Of his industry, and he who
gains an honest livelihood by the sweat
of the brow shall be regarded as the
aoblest representative Of Gods work
man. OF all the pursuits which as yet
have employed the mental and physical
powers of mankind, for a complete de-
yeiopment Of every resource essential to
human good and happiness, agriculture
occupies the most prominent position, as
forming the basis upon which all others
rest and have their origin.
The first important indication Of a coun-
try's promise is, its adaptations for tho
cultivation of the soil, but other natural
advantages and resources which tend to
make up the great business circle of life,
in creating home market for agricultur-
al products and forming a commercial re-
lation by which the surplus may find a
ready sale in other parts Of the world,
greatly facilitate in laying the foundation
for permanenec and success. Yet, with
all these blessings bequeathed by kind
Creator for the use and benefit of peo-
pie, without persevering diligence and
continual application Of hand and mind
united, happiness will falter, and prosper
ity fail to triumph. IdIeness, wherever
practiced, although it may be in aristo-
cratic circles surrounded with ease and
luxury, and fed by the glittering pagean-
try of wealth, degrades the man engen-
: dering a spirit of selfish vanity, bigotry
and discordant, the fountain-head Of war,
misery and misrule, while peace is the
legitimate offspring of industry, and
plenty its reward.
In the creation man was endowed with
higher qualities .han those bestowed up
on any other portion of earth's living
things; yet something was necessary to
call into action his better nature for in
those days which constitute the primitive
period of his existence, man was Great.
ure step only above the animal level,
governed by impulse rather than reason
the slaye of passion and groyeling pro-
pensity. The power Of intellect, tempered
with liberality. integrity and moral recti.
tude had not as yet been realized under
the predominancy ofphysicalforce, which
for many generations controlled the ac-
: tions and dictated the affairs of MEN,