Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-01-13

An Address.

An Address.
Deferred at The ANIMAL Meeting of the Yer
mont State Agricultural S3cey, al BsH.tcs
Falls, on Tuesaay, Jcnuaiy 5, 1869, BY
Hon. John GREGORY Of Mortified.
GENTLEMEN, DIRECTORS AND MEyBEEs OF the
VERMONT STATE AGRCCLTURAL SOCIETY:
do not know who in t-oduced the idea that
each retiring president Of this society should
s valedctory address upon it's state
re. but whoever he was, although
We meant well, he will not receive an
!s vote Of thanks for so doiag for |
elf rather short for materials to frame
lie discourse fr the present occasion.
he order is peTemptOTy as there can
acking out shall comply with the
I'D, consoling myself with the reaec-
my successors must pass through
ordeal, my predecessor, Judge Col
ing led off in tbs direction.
9TH great prOprety congratulate the
If this society Uron the favorable
pder which we find ourselves after
nnuaI exhibitions. From 4 small
in Middlebury, in the year 1851.
IrOWn and prospereI bevOnd our
1guine expectations. Then, with
of a failure, una; ded bv State pat
we gathered ourselves together II
bison county, wnich was and is now
sding county IN this commonwealth for
stock. anu formed a union among our
minent agriculturists that has been of
eat practical utility to our whole people.
Well can we remember our first beginning
when the venerable 3 Uncle David. - as he
was Familiarity called, declared that if we
would hold a fair he would cover the ground
with :" black hawks, aud winch was almost
tCioh luiuttu. ~ bGFDS al III
no premiums for money we're awarded, bat
each and all took pride in exhibiting their
first class animals, AVID wed with each other
in presenting everything that goes to make a
} successful fair.
2 These eighteen years have been verv pleas
ant and profit bic 70 me, and [ think but
speak the mud Of everv member present
when | say they have been 50 20 them, for
we have labored together with an eye single
to the growth and prosperity Of thia society,
believing its influence would be felt for good
all over our goodly land Aud it has been
50 Go where VJa Will. east, west. north
aud south. and you will find men that point
with pride aud enthusiasm to the excellent
fairs held in our noble State, and to the
~ matches sheep and horses we have exhibited.
Ia yeas to come. should Providence permit,
s6aIl look back upon The time speuS in your
society % among the happiest aud ,: ;gh.est
n my = rthlv pilgrimage.
Durr 2 the member of Yeas OF cruel and
1dv wGr. inau guT.5rd and cor, .lued BY a
4iOUs people who erueayOred to dis
er tbs glorious union. our society
make much progress, but unl'Se many
-ganizations, we have never failed Of
cour annual fairs as the years roll
Nor did we ever refuse to pay the
Us we had promised. And now az
deeen years Of experiment, we can
at 4 pride end satisfaction to ou- last
kna, held in the queen cty, as being
el best to use a western phrase.
ed by all with whom | have convers-
khe 5 bicct. 1t was indeed a success.
dit being due to no one member Of
ictv, but to all connected with it.
praise shouli be awarded to the enter
citizens of Burlington for their
IL and Jealous efforts in furnishing the
and pleraIiog and fitting up the
i for our reception. Justly can they
+ their splendid holdings and arrange
Juand claim all the honor of them
here fnelg ariangcI. and | think | can,
WOkalf Of our society and the agricultural
= people of this State, thank them for thei-
commendable eforts, not forgetting the rail
road and steamboat companies for their faci
tiles in carrying at half fare. and stock lee,
the many thousands who attended the chi
bition.
The address Of the Hon. Geo. F. EimUnds
was a fine production, and was well received
by the largest collection Of people that ever
listened to any speaker during the fairs we
have held since our organization. 1t was an
of.hand effort. but abounded ia practical
truths that were appreciated by our people.
In answer to a request | recently made to
a. him for a copy for publication, after inform
ing me it would not be convenient to furnish
it. it being extcmpOraneOus, be remarks
I" am glad to suppose ON your letter that
it was acceptable to your directors. and |
hope that it may in some degree awaken at
tention to the real principles Of social action
and social success which your society designs
II promote"
The order, regularity and entire harmony
Of the society and people. save in a few in
stances, were conspicuous, and were 50 de-
elared by thousands Of visitors. Said a
gentleman Of influence from Massachusetts,
Il was told there wo1ld not be much Of in
terest to be seen at your fair, that it would
he . one-borsc concern, and would not pay
for The expense and trouble of attending it
hut" said he, : it is the best fair | eger at
spded. and in my opinion It exceiis tie New
md fair held recently in New Haven
Tn May we not hope that our fairs will
eua 70 improve until they sIall be con
I'd models for imitation.
le increase of our premium list, as II
lrds horses and cattle, though at first con
red of doubtful utility. proved to be
investment, for IevoDd doubt it stimula
Lur farmers to bring together their best
horses and pure blooded cattle in great
nbers than ever before. We haze long
pat If we were able to increase or
inns We might do more good, by attrac
kore folly public attention to our fairs
us stimulate our farmers to greater
ons in fitting and preparing their stock
Ehibtiou. Bot we have also felt thai
bould look well to our finances and man.
the affairs of this society as a prudent
would his own. Our State is small in
bulatiOn aud resources, and a few rainy
hys at our fairs would so deplete our treas
Try as to leave but a few coTpers in the
locker. Hence our premium list has been
necessarily small compared TO the great
state of New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Mis-
souri,, but there lave been seasons when we
should boast of having what bet few, if any