Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-09-19


suggestion made, that is not multiplied
like forest fleayes, and scattered broadcast
for the general good. Not spark of
hope or pride falls upon the farmer, that
is not famed to its utmost brightness. to
cheer his steps. 1t Is the farmers mouth
to speak, eyes to see, and ears to hear. Ii
carries information to the needy, and
brings wisdom from those who have it to
spare. Ii quickens thought, awakens ge-
MUS and blends work for the useful with love
for the true and the beautiful, sweeteniug
matured success, with high, pure, intellec-
tual enjoyment. 1t is establishing litera-
ture of the farm and the fre-slde of ines
timable value and great purity. Now deep
ly rooted in the confidence Of the people.
enjoying the sunshine and the showers of
an appreciative support, its past will be to
Its future, what the nursery plant is to the
fruit laden tree.
Fellow citizens, let me plead for more
thought from the educationist, more sup
port from the Legislature, more sympa-
thy and solicitude from the people. for
new and better methods of education in
the great art of agriculture, the art of arts
and science of sciences, which Is the only
enduring foundation of commerce and man
uiactures; the life pursuit which, followed
in wisdom and faith, by a Od-worshipping
people, is the source of national wealth
worth and perpetuity.
Allow me to call your attention briefly 10
two general subjects, and will relieve YOUR
pltience.
The first is subject well calculated to
enlist the State pride and stimulate the ex-
ertlons Of every person who claims Vermont
as his birth place or home a subject in fact
which should arouse the patriotism and ex-
cite the national pride of every true Ameri-
can citizen. | refer to the grand centen-
NAL celebration of our national birth day,
on the ith of July, 1876. On that day, it
has been decided by our national govern
ment to inaugurate in the city of Philadel-
phla, grand exhibition of our national
industries. On that occasion the whole
people will come up to the historic spot
where the nation was born, bearing in
their hands the fruits Of a hundred years
OF labor to lay upon the altar of their
country as the best and most convincing
proof OF the success Of republican institu-
tons and the wonderful energies of peo-
pie governing themselves, and controlling
their own political and material destinies.
ut that national exhibition each State will
be assigned a separate and distinct depart
ment in which to display the evidences of her
natural wealth and the samples ofherindus-
tries. The question | now wish to ask of the
people OF our State, Is What position shall
Vermont occupy among her sister States on
that occasion. Shall our mines Of iron,
copper, marble, slate, and minerals; shall
our agricultural riches; our sheep, cattle,
horses ; our grains, fruits and vegetables;
the products OF our dairies shall evidences
OF the enterprise and ingenuity Of our me
chanics the products of our workshops and
fnnFarfa1 II I'll +ba-. 4 -.
OF our resources be properly and creditably
represented? | need not appeal to the pub
lie spirit, energy and known enterprise Of
our people to embrace an opportunity like
this. ! know they will be equal to the oc-
casion, and will, if the proper medium for
the concentration and direction of their
efforts be offered, do honor To themselves,
and the land Of the Green Mountains The
organization Of the State Agricultural So
ciety ana all the energy OF Its officers and
facilities 1t can command, will be rendered
10 forward and direct this great enterprise.
Inc hour has come when the American
farmer should assert his manhood and speak
and act for himself Great questions are
coming before the people. in which the far
mers above all other classes are more deeply
interested, whether they are subjects of a
lew, or are the people the sovereign rulers
and law makers of the land. Now is be-
ginning the realization Of August Complies
theory-the tendency of the civilization Of
the age Is u Capitalization. The basis of
the theory was and l. the colossal growth.
and lts HrcpreSslble pr0neneSs to monopoly
\ people Tor long centuries may be mana
cled by despOtic laws and tantalzed by au-
tocratlc tyranny. but man ever asserts his
rights and then comes revolution. which by
mn fFNgr fItssasl rfrIaA D
same movement, deYelopes the highest
attributes Of our race and invariably
achieves the double purpose. bursting
the ~hackleS of oppression, and asserting
their independence. The revolution of one
era and country VIII be industrial not
political, not of n people frcnziet by the
goad of tyantS. but industry contending
Tor It's just reward against the exactions of
centralized wealth
This era Is Just upon You. menpf Vermont.
The work Is before You and the remedy Of
evils which Cypress industry must be made.
Tor they threaten To destroy the nation :
prosperity and republican institutions.
IL l. in your hands t. remedy local
evils. Let 1t not be said Of Vermont that
she is incapable Of welding the means in
her hands Tor her industrial prosperity and
political protection. Vermont in the
coming struggle should yindicatc her char
acter for enterprise and By 81 doing prove
her regard for industrial rights and love
Of political liberty.
| would not thus speak dill not fear that
the whole capital of the country is passing
under the control Of n few individuals.
who do not and cannot be induced
to prefer the interest of the public
to that Of their own. We appeal not 10 the
feelings or passions of the people. but
rather 10 their interests, their good iudg-
mcnt. business sense. when we tell them
that this Is a subject worthy the serious
consideration of the best minds Of the com
try and that in it. proper solution rests the
vital interests Of every farmer. every me
chanic, every manufacturer, and in short
OF every material industry Of our Common
wealth and of the whole country. But
have already detained yOu too long. and 1t
only remains for me to thank you for your
Kind attention, hoping that it may be
among the dispensationS Of Providence for
you to meet together in increased numbers
and more valuable exhibitions for many
years, and that each succeeding year will
bring You nearer to the realization of the
possibilities and expectations of agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts to the rich aud
iauitful county which hears the honored
name Of Cnittenden.