Year: 1877

I =


be used to convert money into commodi-


ties, and these back again into money, yet


all must ultimately be owned to be receiy-


ed from the products of the earth and the


animals which it sustains aud nourishes.


But the ancient historian delights to dwell


upon the peace and repose as well as the


plenty, upon the happiness and virtue and


intelligence which have always been the


hand-maidens of successful husbandry, and


the brightest pages which have come down


to us from those periods which look dim


as the centuries gather about them are


ireighted with the same familiar story,


which our experience Of to-day confirms,


that the surest safeguard of social and po-


litieal purity and stability rests upon the


protection and development of the agri-


cultral resources of State. History, |


have said, from its earliest recrods, teaches


this. During the first and second Punic


wars and the long interval of twenty-five


years between when the Roman legions


and the Carthagenians were spreading ruin


and devastation in the track of their inf


mite lust of power-their mad haste to


achieve by conquest the wealth which the


fertile soil yielded too slowly-there was


a kingdom near by over which prince


reigned noted for his wisdom and prudence.


During more than fifty years he had seen


the world about his dominions in flames,


and himself and his people were able to


enjoy profound peace, while these two


most potent States shook all the neighbor-


ing region with the clash of their arms.


His people were intelligent, virtuous and


brave; their barns were filled with abun-


dant harvests, their treasury replete with


accumulated wealth. Says the historian


"What contributed most without doubt to


this happy calm was the particular care


taken by Hero to keep his subjects en-
ployed; to Danish luxury and idleness, the


parents of all vices and the usual source


of all seditions from his dominions; to sup
port and improve the natural fertility Of
his country, and above all to reflect espec-
ial honor upon agriculture, which he con-
sidered the certain means to render his
people happy, and to diffuse abundance
throughout his kingdom" Among the


Romans also agriculture was highly es.
teemed and pursued with earnest love and
devoted attention; indeed they rendered
subordinate to their agricultural pursuits,
commerce and the trades and arts, and
not until they abandoned her, in their
boundless love Of conquest, did they sink
into that state Of political and social cor
ruption which their earlier and simpler
tastes had preserved uncorrupted. And
so we may touch history at almost any
point, and the lesson which comes down
to us from all its records comes to tell US
that there is some mysterious connection
between the agricultural development and
progress of people, and their political
and social happiness. 1t seems, indeed,
to be almost an ordination from on high,
which links them in eternal fellowship.


But in the age of which l speak agri-
culture, while it exercised benefcient
influence upon the destinies of nations as
the great conservative force in the State,
did not and has not yet attained to the
fullness Of influence to which its abiding
elements of power fairly entitle it. Ithas
been travelling over rough roads" as was
aptly said, and in an sold fashioned slow
coach; but now, since science has shed
its bright light upon her, and her sister
arts have Joined hands with her, she will
go sweeping on to ever-increasing domin-
ion. In her improved condition she will
be, more than ever, the benefaetress Of the
State. We may not, as did the ancient
Greeks, place her in some high, heroic
situation, nor assign her celestial paren.
tage, whose mission on earth was to bear
among the children of men the horn of
plenty, and whose mission above was to
plead their cause in the senate of the gods
but we will very certainly turn to her as
the only true and sure foundation of ma
tional security and greatness. Look at
her relations to the State in modern time;
how radiant still in her beauty as she sits
far above the storms and wars of factions
and of nations with holy calm upon her
brow, with length of days in her right
hand, and in her left hand riches and
honor" Take as an illustration of her in
fluence upon our more modern life, the
little republic of Switzerland, mere speck
upon the great European map, hemmed in
by mountains, and with a soil almost sterile,
and see how her children have wrung from
its valleys and hill sides, not only susie
nance but wealth. But far better than
their mere material progress, look at the
influence upon their public and private
life, which these well-nigh universal agri-
cultural habits and tastes have exercised.
There she stands very much as did Sicily
between the Romans and the Carthageni.
ans, with the great states of Europe mar.
shaling in arms around her, with their
enormous standing armies frowning upon
whatever yestige of liberty they have left,
and with their populations ground beneath
the iron heel of CONSUMPTION and taxation.
And with all this hot fever raging upon
her borders, see how calm and tranquil
and healthful is all within; no standing ar
mics eat out her substance and menace
her libarties. aoricultueo ;s co,.....l - /