The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-10-09

GEARY.
Citizens Of Linn--La,zies and G1.t|e-
nten:
At the close of another abundant har-
vest, snch as bountiiul Providence has
never failed to bestow OH this beautiful
and productive valley, we find ourselves
amidst the festivities, reunions and gen
erous competitions Of our twelfth annual
fair.
1t is certainly worthy of especial com
incubation, that a society for the promo
ton Of industrial interests should have
existed so early, and should now be an
established institution of a region, but
little over a quarter Of a century ago the
undisputed domain Of savaGes. v hlie
the history Of the enterprise which lm-
PEELED the pioneers of Christian cirillza-
tion,-of agriculture, manufactures and
commercials civil aud religious rights
and liberties to the Pacific shores shall
be read, this fact ought not to be under
valued nor forgotten.
The grand object Of such associations
is, or ought TO be, TO elevate the standard
OF the productions Of the soil, OF trades
and manufactures and to improve the
breeds Of domestic animals, by com pairing
skill and modes of operation-by exciting
a spirit of generous rivalry aud emulation
and by the diffusion Of information,
which directs aud ennobles industry, and
stimulates :. to the earning OF wages and
the gaining of profits" in the harmonious
cooperation of labor and capital without
which there is bu. little progress either
in communities OF nations.
Washington, whose wisdom and saga
city were only exceeded by his patriotism,
regarded agriculture Us of primary I'M
portance TO individual and national
welfare, and urged that the public purse
should be freely used for its promotion,
and Boards established to collect and
distribute information, and by premiums
to encourage enterprise and experiment,
discovery and improvement, declaring
that '.experience had shown these to be
the cheapest instruments of public ad
vancement."
Agriculture, manufactures and com
merce are the worlds three great
branches Of productive industry.
But of these agriculture is the nursing
mother, the basis OF wealth and pros
perity. The piow plays the leading
part in the creation Of values, even in
commercial and manufacturing countries
OF this fact the British empire affords
convincing proof. Far excelhng all
other nations in cona.erce and nanufac-
lures, which are the basis Of her power,
yet nearly three -ifths Of her net revenue
is derived from her agriculture ;5loue
This single fact establishes the preeiomi-
nance Of the agricultural element ~ the
wealth OF nations. In the United States
this pursuit employs largely more capital
aud labor than all others combined, and
marks most si@nally the progress Of our
nation in wealth and power. Three
fourths Of The people have rural homes,
and in nearly that proportion cultivate
the soil.
The engagements &C the people then
being 50 largely agricultural, suggests
the true estimate to be placed GA this
species Of labor. Canals, railroads, cleo
trio telegraphs. the monuments OF our
age the numbers drawn from the over
crowded nations of the old world the
ships on seas and oceans the steamers
on lakes aud rive-s the minds and hands
that invent and construct the implements
and edifices of utility and beauty,
are the servitors and Iandmaids waiting
on agriculture.
Without these, she would indeed be
shorn Of her glory and power; but with
out her they would not exist.
If therefore the farmers OF our country
do not maintain an elevated oosition-it'
they WELD not strong social and politi-
cal influence, If they possess not just
proportion of the consideration, emolu-
ments and honors of the government and
nation, the fault is not in their vocation ;
for the heaven appointed pursuit of over
half mankind, on which all rely, cannot
necessarily be degrading.
L never can admit that the nom
class should claim in any
respect superiority over those who rise
with the dawn to their daily toll, and
who give to all other classes support aud
sustenance. In this free land without
titles and entails, where civil, social and
political institutions rest on the principles
Of regard to the Just rights of ALT
becomes a public duty, and just policy,
not only to remunerate the farmer, but to
yield him all that consideration to which
his most meritorious calling entities him.
This will be best effected by wisely con-
Quoted industrial associations by peri
odicals devoted to agriculture and the
of labor; by the liberal pro-
visions of the state, If need be, to give
to education from the common school up
to our colleges and universities, direct
practical application to those pursuits
which must necessarily employ the great
est number, and which most intimately
affect the interests of all. Let the con-
viction that not only preachers, doctors
and lawyers, military men and engineers,
but farmers as well, of right ought to be
educated. Then, and not sooner, will the
dignity and Importance of agricultural
pursuits be vindicated and duly appre-
ciated.
Many of the States of Europe are far
IN advance of the United States in agro-
nomic education, and the marked i'm
proyement in their agriculture in the last
few years is chiefly attributable to the
scientific and experimental instruction
given IN schools of this character.
4 I. L X l.. r.