Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-10-03
Address
HON. JAMES o. ADAMS,

We possess love for the soil, a love
which originates at the dawn of life
and is nourished through all coming
years. From the day when our feet
first pressed the green sward, and our
hands pluckel the ripe fruit of the
orchard and garden, onward through
years of care and toll has that love
grown strong. The earth is our
mother, and we regard her with Il
filial affection which neither time nor
place nor circumstance can materi-
ally change.
This love has a universal existence.
1t is felt alike on the fertile fields OF
the tropics, laden with an excess of
life, and on the barren hills of the
desolate north. 1t exerls it's power
upon the rich proprietors of English
soil, and among the tax burdened
holders of a single acre in impover-
ished Ireland. The solitary patrlmo-
NAL turrow, titled by the peasant of
Lorraine, inspires as deep devotion
as the unmeasured acres in the broad
valley Of the West.
This love advances with advancing
life. AS our years increase, titles and
conveyances become the more absorb
ing objects of our thoughts. The old
man will sooner part with any proper
ty than convey to another the soil lie
has proGtabIy titled in the strength of
his manhood. The tie is unbroken in
life and in death. Linked to the dust
by natures laws, we cling to the earth
until the hand Of the Destroyer con-
signs us to her friendly bosom.
The possession of titles to land is
favorable to local attachments, and
strengthens the power of early asso-
Citations. What love Of home is found
in the bosom of the ceaseess WANDER.
er on the desert? What sympathes
are felt by the unstable tribes of the
North? And what binds the denizen
of the city to his cherries walls and
sunless parlors? No fields of fresh
ness, no flowing stream, no upturned
furrow or waving plains Of corn, no
"lellng Of the tree beneath the wood
mans sturdy stroke, mo. jocund driv-
ing Of the teams alield" have charms
for him who dwells upon the sand, or
the glaciers, or within the city gates.
Wherever land title is pnt on re-
cord, there is recorded the inception
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less permanent can create, and the
more that soil is successfully cultivat-
ed by the hand of the proprietor, the
more true and lasting becomes the at
tachment. Each rod Of ground has
its peculiar merits, and lays claim to
the regard of its occupant.
This sentiment eXerts wider inhu-
ence and becomes an element in the
love of country. Originating within
a limited sphere, it grows outward
and embraces the whole Common
wealth. Selishness may at first be
its moving principle, but extend the
circle and it partalles of disnter-
ested character and claims the full
honors Of patriotism. The reason is
evident and natural. Having a FER
manent interest'ln the soil, the farmer
is ready at all times TO defend it.
His nei9hbor, equally interested, is
willing to engage with the same spirit.
and to make u common work and a
mutual defense Of their homes, their
neighborhoods and their country.
They watch and oppose those politi-
cal schemes which threaten danger,
and in .heir transformations way en-
courage those measures which prom
Use good. Constantly employed in
their pursuits, they are firm IN their
convictions Of duty, adhere, often too
pertinaciously, to established customs
and cannot be easily deceived by the
infammatory speeches Of political
demagogues. They are true conser-
natives. They choose rather to en-
dure abuses than adopt hasty meas
ures for redress. But still they are
watchful. of the encrolchments Of
others, and when they are certain OF
selfish designs and see impending
danger, either to themselves or :heir
country, they come to the rescue with
n determination that cannot be
changed, and labor with a persistency
! unequalled until their object is
effected.
This natural and almost universal
desire to possess land is an evidence
nature designed that large proper
ton of every community should be
engaged iQ its cultivation. The earth
was given to mans use that he might
subdue it. 1t was Gods command
to''dress it and keep it," Agriculture,
whose triumphs we commemorate to-
day, was the original, the natural and
universal occupation. Flom the day
when the first seed was placed IN the
earth by tn hand of man to the pres
ent, when each one Of us plows and
reaps his portion Of the common in
heritance, it has been everywhere the
chief pursuit. On it depends the sub
sistence of all other employments. 1t
is the one great interest which uuder-
lies and suStains all other interests
and compels men to enter its service.
He who has long titled the soil may
weary with its monotony and for a
time relinquish it for pursuits he
deems more congenial. But as years
roll on, he experiences cares and tolls,
doubts and failures, until he longs
again for the fields he has left. Thr