The Cadiz sentinel. [volume], November 13, 1844, Image 1

About The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851

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VOLUME XI.
CADIZ, HARRISON COUNTY, OHIO, NOVEMBER 13, I8ii.
NUMBER 31.
it
2 MITKD AND PUBLISHED KVKRY WEDNESDAY
BY L. IIAHPEK.
:, nT Tebmh. One (lullnr and fifty cents per annum,
il paid in advance, or witliin three months; two dollars
al the end of six months; or two dollars and fifty cents
at the end of the year. Qr These conditions will be
strictly adhered to.
' (KJ " Advertising. One square, (twelve lines,) fifty
cents for .the first insertion, and twenty-five cents each
ubtoqiicnt publication. A liberal discount made to
vhesc who advertise by the year. . .
(gj- Letters to the editor must be post paid.
POETRY.
r
THE PARADISE OF TEARS.
From the German of N. Muller Dv W.C.Brvant.
Beside the river of Tears, with branches low,
And bitter leaves, tlie funeral willows grow;
And branches stream like the dishevelled hair
Of woman in tho sadness of despair.
On rolls the stream with a perpetual sigh ;
The rocks moan wild ly as it rushes by ;
Hyssop and wormwood border all the strand,
And not a flower adorns the dreary land.
Then comes a child, whose face is like the sun,
. And dips the gloomy waters as they run, ,
: !; And tnoisteuB all the region, and, behold!
, Tho ground is bright with blossjins manifold !
" ! Where full the tears of love, the rose appears; --And
where the moss is wet with friendship's tears
Forget-me-not and violet, heavenly blue,
.Spring', glittering with the cheerful drops like (lew,
The souls of mourners, who no more shall weep,
Float, swan-like, down the current's gentle sweep,
Kio up the sands ttiut shine along its side, ,
. And in the Paradise of Tears abide.
There every heart rejoins its kindred heart;
',' There, in a long embrace, that none may part,
Fulfilment meets desire; and that fair shore
Beholds its dwellers happy evermore.
THE BLIND G JUL TO IIEK MOTHER.
Tliey tell me of the pretty slats
And of the sky so blue,
I dream of them hy night and day,
And think they look like yon.
You press ins fondly to your side,
' And c;dt ine "daughter dear,"
And thus 1 think with happiness,
Twill be in heaven as hrc.
And, mother, will the great good God,
Bo k'nd to 1110 like yon?
VV. 11 hu forgive my many faults,
4 .- Aud graut his blesiitig loo?
Dear mother ! leave oh loave mo not !
Die only when I die!
'' And gently guide your poor blind child
Up to hei home on high.
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Godey's Lady's Book.
THE WIDOWS SON.
"'''''' ' A STOUV OF HEAL LIFE.
' IIV BODEHT JlORIUS, tS-l.
' lift thy paleied hand, skake off the gloom
That overhangs the borders of thy tomb; .
. ,Sie nature gay as when Bhe first began ,
. 'With smiles alluring her admirer mail.'
Cowi'o.
V CHATTER. I. . ' "
It was a nicht in December, 1 lie scene was
Washington city. Tlio moon was up, her 1'ghl
was dimmed by clouds, but ever and anon she
broke forth in nil her splendor, brightening the
marbli building of the Capitol with a silvery
lustre. The weather was raw and unpleasant,
and the dutk clouds of the west accrued to
threaten an approaching snow storm. The few
porsons in the streets for the hour was late
hurried rapidly along, apparently anxious to get
within doors. And yet the niglu was not with
out its beauty and its 'moral. , The clouds rolled
slowly on in detached masses now dark and
lowering, and for a moment shutting out the glo
rious moon, which only shone forth with the more
beauty when they passed from before her face.
The light of truth the glory of virtue may bo
darkened for a moment, but they will only shine
out the purer and brighter in the end. While
musing in the strain, and wandering thoughtfully
alonjf the avenue of the Capitol now with eyes
directed to scenes above, , and now meditating
upon the political storm and shadows in which
the destinies cf the country were measurably in
volvcd, a figure came reeling from a public
house. It was that of a man of thirty-five. I
paused for an instant, and soon discovered that
the object before ma was not only unable to
jiralk with any thing like steadiness, but that very
new effort seemed to crow moro desperate.
ff Qn! a drunkard," briefly observed another
pisseriDy, ana nasteneu on.
HOnlum drunkard!1' I mentally exclaimed
But the night is cold and bleak, a storm threat
ens, and the miserable man, unless cared for,
may be a stiffened corpse before morning. I am
a stranger here, too away from , friends ', and
home: and is it not a possible case that this poor
wretch maybe a disappointed omce-hunter
some unfortunate applicant for justice at the
hands of the nation, who, hoart-s:ck and hope
less, has permitted himself to be overcome in a
weak and reckless hour by the friend of intempe
rance!. Desptir may have maddoned him for
the time, lie may have a wife, a mother, at
home friends whq love and chorisli him, and he
must not be left to perish."
j Musing thus, and rapidly, and touched more,
it is possible, because Washington was a strange
place to roe, I approached the reeling man with
yam ... oojcci or, ascertaining, ,i( possioie, wno ne
was, to what extent he was intoxicated, and
where he lodged. At this instant, a cloud which
had hid the moon passed on, and the light of the
queen of, the night ho;i directly into the face
' of the drunkttrd. , ' ,
: I started back in surprise. . Can It he t t ask
ed myself, , The features wore greatly distorted
, -the eyes glared with brutality and yet I wan
lot mistaken, Ik-fore me stood the Hon, George
1'
Wallingford, one of the most gifted members of
Congress a man to whose eloquence, wit and
argument I had listened only the day before in
the House of Representatives with delight and
pride delight produced by the splendor of his
genius, and one so young should not only be
able thus to address the assembled representa
tives of the nation, but that he should so nobly
vmdicato the principles and the beauty of re
publicanism, and hurl back in trumpet tones up
on Jour libellers the scorn of a jusily indignant
and truly patriotic spirit. On that occasion, he
was " the observod of all observers. 1 he gal
leries were thronged with beauty and fashion-
all ranks and ages drank in his strains of elo
quence many euvied him his - rare tulcuts and
all accorded praise ot the wannest kind. J lie
effort throughout was masterly. Even his best
lrieuds were astonished as well as delighted, and
when he closed with a peroration that thrilled
l.ke a trumpet through the hearts of his country
men, and brought the blood with a richer glow
to the cheeks of the fair creatures who bent
their eyes upon him, his colleagues hurried a
round him with eager looks and warm expres
sions of congratulation. That speech alone was
calculated to win him a high character as h states
man and an orator; and although his abilities had
before been appreciated by his immediate con
stituents, they would now be made known to the
multitude ot millions throughout this broad re
public. 1 temeinher well the feelings of that
liour. All seemed roused, excited and carried
away for the time. The name of the member
from Goorgia was in every one's mouth; some of
his finest expressions were on the lips of all who
paid attention toVibjecls, and, except when the
dark spirit of envy would embitter the heart and
palsy the tongue, his eulogy was universal. I
returned to Gadxbv's that aftei noon with a sub
dued opinion of myself. I felt that I had been
in the presence of one of the uoblest spirits of
the times--of one who possessed a peculiar gift
of mind who enjoyed the high facultv of mov
ing by the magic of his influence the hearts of
thousands of ha follow-creatutes.
Imagine my feelings then, when I saw this be
ing before me the subsequent night, unable to
articulate a single sentence distinctly, paralyzed
in mind and in body God's noblest work bru
tal zed the soaring principle of genius darken
ed and degiadcd-rthe idol of another hour now
a scorn and a disgrace to civilization and human
ity. Never d;d tho horrors of intemperance
appear in colors so vividnever was the dread
ful power of the rum fiend made so distinctly
apparent.
I took the nrm of the miserable man, and ask
ed him where he lodged. Some time elapsed,
and in vain I endeavored to make out his answer.
lie was ulteily lost to propriety and sense of
shame, and instead ot exhibiting a willingness
lobe taken home, was eager to return to the lav
em. His reason was wholly blinded. His
tongue refused its oflicc. His body seemed fas-
leiied by some awkward mechanism to his logs
and iii his effort to move r reminded me of the
wooden toys made to umuee children during the
Christmas holyd.iyi. It was now near midnight,
tn.l itio spectacle was most melancholy, lie
could not walk; the tavern in which ho had pas
sed the evening was closed; lie could not de
scribe his place ol residence, and it was lmpossi
hie for me to cany him to my lodgings. Thus
situated, a servant came by one of Uadsby s
who, on being 'questioned, said that tho Hon.
Mr. Willingfurd had rooms at the house of Mr
Jones, about throe 'squares oft", and that his
mother also resided there!
"His mother!" Heavens, what a shock to
have her son borne home to her in such a condi
tion! Exulting too, as sho had no doubt been,
with all the love of a mothei's heart, at tho tri
umphant tflbit of that son the day before! How
soon was the cup of joy to be dashed from her
lps! ..With what an agony of grief would she
note its appearance and condition! He was "her
only son, and she a widow!" How readily she
would yield up her life to know him freed from
that one infirmity that dark curse which hover
ed about him like a fiend, und touched him as
wiih a scathing desolation of this lower world,
the glory of his brightest moments! Oh! what
had she not dreamed since his triumph of yester
day! How it would stimulate him to avoid the
rock on which he had so often been wrecked,
when he knew that the eyes of his wholo coun
try would be directed towards him when his
constituents should hear of his master effort
his indulgent constituents, who had so frequently
overlooked his youthful indiscretions! Yes; she
felt convinced that he would reform that he
would avoid the tempting cup that he would re
member the dead father's former name and fame
his mother's unbounded affection his own
promising career. - ,
These, and thoughts like these, thronged
through tlio brain ol that delighted mother!
Heaven seemed to open its brightest hopes be
fore her, and she fell ujioii her knees and thank
ed God for such a son, and prayed that he. might
for the future avoid the fatal habit which had al
ready weakened his fame and impaired his char
acter! bhe rose from her bed side, and looked
wilfully and not without some misgivings into
the wido avenue betoro nor window. H
" Hark! what sound is that? Merciful Heav
cn what forms are those? . Three figures one
of them borne in the arms of others. , A little
longer support me, Father of mercies God of
the fatherless!" . ... . ..'
' This way this way!?' and before the Btrain-
ing and almost maniac gaze of that do voted
mother was laid the unconscious form of her gif
ted but drunkard son! ' ;, : , . ';
" . CHAPTER II..- ' l;.f .
I was detained in the city of Washington sev
eral weeks. - Claims upon Government appli
cations for office, are not passed upon thero with
very great hasto in most cases.' Cabinet mem
bers are sometimes difficult of access, except to
the favored few, and they soon learn the courier
art of postponing from day to day every thing
like a definite answer, while they delight such
is the perversity of power and of human nature
in forming the desires of the heart with just
sufficient force to keep ' them 'from expiring.
Alas: for the victims of hope delayed, Alas I tor
the children of despair who have gone to the
Capitol for justice, and left with shattered consti
tutions, exhausted purses, and bitterness of spi
rit.'. hove soon grey-.hajied men lingering for
nours arounu ne uoorg oi some oi ine lavornes
of momentary power,' or, haying gained access
to the presence of the great for the time, frozen
almost speechless by an iciness of manner an
assumed formality, which cut to tbo quick, and
repelled ecfy thing like prouiiao of expectation.,
It is so, perhaps, in all countries. It may be,
too, that the disKmsers of public offices and
bounty are compelled by the force of circum
stances, by the number of claimants, and the ma
ny unjiostors and pretenders among them, to be
brief, formal, and often harsh in their interviews.
But thoy should remember, nevertheless, that the
diffident aud meritorious only are to be driven
irom tlieir objects by such a course. J he bold
and reckless the vain and profligate, understan
ding the ways of the world and the arts of polit
ical aspirants, anticipate and are prepared for
such jreatment. They are not to be rebuked by
a single repulse, but bide their time, seek their
opportunity discover the weak points in the
great- -tlio secret channels to their favor. I hus
it is "that our public stations are occasionally dis
honored by men who have littlo reputation with
those who know them best mere ndventurers,
who make politics a trade, and who are ready to
lawn and play the parasite at any lootstool. A
stranger, therefore, to these arts, and this de
scription of trick and ruanacemcnt, who went to
press the suit ot another: lound it at the time of
which I speak, exceeding difficult to reach the
tnuntain head ot power, and in such a manusras
to tell him the whole truth, and state his case
fully and with a consciousness of having dischar
ged his duty. Thus it was that the writer of
this sketch lingered week after week at the seat
of government, frequently at a loss for means of
proper occupation. One evening his attention
was arrested by the announced visit of a band of
Wasiiixctomans, anions them one or two able
speakers. A meeting wus to take placo atS. 1
M. I he promised history of one who had pas
sed the years of his young manhood in gayety
and dissipation who had wasted a large fortune
who had recently became a convert to the wa
ter principle, and who now battled earnestly in
the good causa, excited no litilo interest in the
minds of manv; and, at tho appointed hour, I
found mysolf amidst tho throng of hundreds;
some auimated hy curiosity, others by new born
zeal to the great reform, and others again hy tho
desire to mingle in and be seen in a crowd.
Tlio opening speakers made only a slight impres
sion. What they said was well onoui'li : but. it
was an old story, told in the old way, with tho u-
sual torrn, and their remarks indicated little hre
or enthusiasm, und were without a ray of genius.
lho third speaker was a relormcd spend-thritt,
rake, and inebriate. His name is now as famili
ar to nil who have paid the least attention to the
subject, as houshold words; but, at the time of
which 1 write, he had but recently entered the
arena, and Ins reputation was but rising into a just
appreciation. He was now to speak tor the hist
time in the city of Washington, in the presence,
it might be, ot some ot the distinguished reprc
seutalives of the nation men who were famili
ar with all the arts of oratory, and who could de
lect un impostor or a pretender with the first sen
tences that he uttered. This view evidently im-
prenseu ano mnuenceu ine vasiiingtouum. llis
personal i.ppearance was manly and dignified;
his voice was clear, powertul, and musical; his
mind, it soon became apparent, was richly sto-
red and polished, while his whole soul seemed
devoted to tho good cause. He had not been
fifteen minutes upon his feet before the eyes of
the audience brightened under the influence of
his eloquence, and tho blood passed through thei
veins with a more rapid motion. His figures
were apt and natural ; his gestures graceful, easy
and forcible, while the air of earnest truth and
deep conviction with which he enforced his posi
tions, maintained his arguments, and appealed
to the hearts and minds of his hearers, thrilled,
agitated, and delighted. Ihecausc under his
advocacy became that of religion, virtue and hu
manity. The smiles ot Heaven were made to
rest upon it and his friends: the rapid approach
of the millennial was identified with its progress
and tho world seemed to glow and brighten with
good deeds and pure principles, as the white ban
uers of temperance were born in holy triumph
among tho nations, llis own story was detailed
His reckless boyhood; his vicious manhood; his
neglect ot iriends and family, his sacrifice of rep
utalion; his loss of fortune; his degradation of
body and mind, until he became hateful to himself
and'a disgrace to all of his name! And then tho
fiend of self murder more than once whispered
frightful subtleties to him. Love and friendship
and kindness and charity, nil abandoned him,
and he hurried to the intoxicating madcess of
his destrover to dun and darken tho thoughts of
lis own mind. .
In his early time he had loved, deeply and ten
derly, and as the passion had been returned with
all the fondness and truth of a virgin heart.
But even this darling dream of his soul was dis
pelled by his brutalizing devotion to tho ruin
fiend, and ho gradually abandoned beauty and
truth and virtue, for the blasting, bloting, and
crime-producing monster of intemperance. In
tho maniac embraces of this demon, he was lost
for a time aye, for months and months; and
the audience, could he give n faithful picture of
what lie was in the darkest hour, would not re
cognize the same individual who addressed them
JJut ho was never wholly forsaken. At times
his better genius whispered "all is not yet lost
Life still remains. The path of reform is still
open. Awako, arise burst the bonds of the
tyrant, and bo free again." This voice grew
fainter and fainter as he decended the downward
path. , Often in his momentary gleams of virtue
and penitence, he determined to retrace his
steps. 'But the task was, indeed, dilficut. His
nerves were tremulous; his strength wns as n
child's and death seemed but a short distance in
futurity. Thus situated, ho was seized with a
frightful illness, and lay upon the bed of a be
nevolent friend lor weeks. ' llis constitution was
an iron one, end gradually his strength came
back to him. Then it was that the visions of
tho past thronged upon his brain. Then ho saw
tho deep abyss over which he hud trembled.
1 hen shame, pride, and all the nobler feelings of
his nature appealed to him. He knew that he
must become a pledged man before ho left the
chamber, or ho was lost. Even ntthat hour,the
craving fiend that ho had created within strug
gled for the mastery, and with a power that none
out those who were or had been drunkards could
appreciate. Once more among his dissolute
companions, and his resolutions of amondmcnt
would fade like the mist in the morning Sun
He knelt by his bed sido and Invoked the aid of
Heaven. He acknowledged his infirmity, con
fessed his weakness, and caught assistance from
above. His prayer Was answered. A new
'strength, seemed infused into his being. He
sent for his friond and subscribed to the pledge in
the most formal manner. "from that hour,"
nnd her,o his figure row to its full height, his
voice gathered fresh power, nnd his eves bright
ened with rekindled fire he continued "1 have
felt myself a man a being abovo the brute
the possessor of a mind and a soul a candidate
for immortality."
" I funk me not a fanatic" he proceeded: "be
lieve mo no impostor. I feel that I am but an
insignificant object in the vast scale of creation
a creature, once piostratcd and degraded, but
now animated with the spark of intellect and the
attributes of reason imparled by the Creator for
wise anu bene vole ut punroses. I l.ese God like
gifts were perverted, miscrcdited, for a long por
tion of my life: and m the ellort to win from the
downward path of intemperance the hundreds
who have gone astray, who are still vainly strug
gling to escape the meshes of the paralyzer, I do
tun manliest proper appreciation of my own re
form. Are there any such here to night f Any
who have mothers, wives, or sisters, to whom
they still cling with affection in their hours of sa
nity! Any who are gified by Doity with minds
of light, knowledge, and power, intended for the
benefit of their fellow man, but weakened and
palsied by the cursa of the demon from whose
embraces I have so recently escaped? If any
such hear me, let them profit by my example
let thorn come lorward; now is the tiino tins is
the hour. Jo man need be ashamed of throw
ing off the black robe of tho drunkard for the
white robe of temperance. Let us triumph over
ourselves. Let us live lor those who love us.
Let us rejoice that we are men, and prove our
selves worthy the attributes of intellect, of rea
son, and of civilization."
iih these wordn, the speaker descended from
the platform, and took his station at a table that
had been prepared for the purpose. The hun
dreds in attendance were touched and excited
as much, perhaps, by the manner as the language
of the orator. A buzs of approbation passod
through the room. Several young men, whose
feelings had been interested, wore already at the
table attaching their names to the pledge. Spell
bound, in some measure, by the scene, and anx
ious to notice the effect still further, I moved to
ward tho group. Many had already sigucd.
And now a sensation of no ordinary character ran
through the assembly. All eyes were directed in
one quarter. A lall, thin figure upproached the
stand. The astonished crowd bent forward with
anxious looks and held their breath in suspense
and interest. The object of so much notice was
George vtallingfoi'd, the gifted representative
from Goorgia the orator whose speech in Ihe
House had won such universal eulogy the stran
ger, whose almost hleless form I had assisted in
bearing to the chamber of his mother.
"Will he sign will he sign?" was the excla
mation, halt suppressed, but still audible, which
broke iioui many a hp.
His step was firm his resolution decisive.
"Room room for Mr. WaHingford!"
With a faint smile playing upon his features,
he took the pen that was so cheerfully tendered
him, bowed slightly, and, in acknowledgement
to the kindred spirit whose eloquent uppeal had
so moved him, affixed his name to the Pledge,
and stood up be lore tiie world a redeemed man
TERltEC ULTUR AL.
mil. b vscnoFT's address,
DELIVERED AT THE NEW YORK STATE AG
RICULTURAL FAIR, POUGUKEEPSlE, ON
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1814.
Mr. President and Gentlemen
of the Agricultural Society:
Farmers of New York The hour of separation
for this dazzling array of beauty, this vast multi
tude of men, .s at hand, r mils richer than ever
graced the gardens of Pomona a paradise of
tloweis needlework tho most exact, delicate and
even ingenious farming implements and manu
factures of all sorts, cloths of the finest quality,
from your own looms, and from looms. in Massa
chusetts horses, fit to win prizes at Olympia
cattle such as never fell in a hetaconib to Jove,
and never were dreamed of by the highest geni
us of the Dutch painter all these and more have
arrested our gaze and filled us with wonder and
delight. And now 1 am commissioned to sum
mon you, and through you the population of this
mighty oominonwealih, to come up and join us,
as, under tlio ausp:ces ot tho btate, honor and
distinction ate awarded to agricultural- industry
and genius.
A spectacle like this around mo, of culture, or
der, and the peaceful virtues, cannot be surpas
sed in the world. In this hour, hushed bo tho
spirit of party; be it utterly exorcised and banish
ed from this enclosure, which is consecrated to
tlio peaceful triumphs of the agriculture and the
industry of New York. Applause. Wo yield
on this occasion to no narrower sentiments than
the love of country, and of collective man, aud
we invoke the blessed influence of that univcisa
Providence, which watches over the seed-time,
and matures the harvest. Applause.
The thome for this occasion is the Agriculture
of New York. But what need of words to speak
its praise? Look around you. The cultivated
earth is its own eulogist. The teeming wealth
that gushes from its bosom the returns of its
industry in every form, that presout themselves in
their abundance and perfection to our never wea
ried eyes are the evidences of its magnificence.
The trees in your inarket-placo, und on your hill
tops, are older than the settlement of civilized
man in our America; they are older than the pre
sence of the plough on the soil of New York;
they are witnesses of the quite recent day, when
your forests stepped down to your river's bank,
and the glades and praisies of your west were
covered with useless luxuriance. And behold
the change which little mure than two couturies
have wrought ; the earth subdued ; the forest glades
adorned with the white spires ot churches, and
gleaming with the light of villages; towns nest
ling ib every valley; crowded cities, competing
with the largest of the earth profusely suppliod
with every article of food. And by whom has
this miracle beon wrought? By the fanners of
INew York. Applause.
As I turn my eye northward, along the banks
of the Hudson, my mind tovcrtg to tho memory
of one of your ancient land-holders, who died be
fore our Independence. Join with me. Farmers
ot New xork, in recalling the gentle and humane
Kobert 11. Livingston, the elder, tho fathor of the
Chancellor. His home was in your vicinity: his
mind was greatly ttnd firmly, tho' not passionate
ly, devoted to your service. An only son, hus
band ot an only daughter, father of those whom
the world will not soon forget ; ha was of so love
ly a nature, that it seemed as if the fracrant at-
mospberq of spring, and the. meUscholy leflec-
tion in your tranquil river of its grandest scenes,
had blended together and melted themselves in
to his soul. Peace to his memory ; let it not per
ish among you. Let the lines on his monument
be refreshed aud deepened.
rSor let me limit tho achievement of the far
mers of Nef York to the subjection and beauti
ful adornment of its soil. The great works of
internal communication, making this Stale a won
der to the world, were commenced by the enter
prise of yourselves, were undertaken when farm
ers held power. Call tomird the immense struc
tures which make this State the astonishment of
the world; its channels for inward communication
carried upwards to the waters"!" the St. Law
rence, stepping aside to the Ontario, and united
at the northwest with the illimitable wilderness
of our inland seas; and (hen join me in paying
tribute to llioso who were the servants ot public
mind in commencing th' yiiranlic svstem. To
Do Witt Clinton, whoso' capacious mind grasped
in advaucc the sum of iis infinite benefits -whose
enterprise like u powerful mill-stream, as it dash
es on an overshot wheel of vast dimensions.
(Applause.) To Van Burcn, who, when the bill
for the construction ol the canal had almost been
abandoned by its earliest friends, put forth those
noble-spirited, well-rcmcmbcred exertions, which
resusciated it when all seemed lost, and restored
it to tho approbation of your Leoslaturo. (Ap
plause.) Well might those chief in the world of
opinions embrace each other in the hours of their
success. If in action they wcro often divided,
in this great service they sharo a common glory.
Applause.
But tho Farmers of Xew York are not content
with improvements in tho material world alone.
From their generous impulses springs your sys
tom of free schools. Thcv have n-.oved thmn-
solves the liberal benefactors of acadmnies and
colleges. They, too, have been careful for the
means of tlieir own special culture, aud have
founded and nurtured societies for promoting ag
riculture. For an example of the virtues of pri
vate life, I name to you tho farmer of Westches
ter oounty, the pure and spotless Jay, who assis
ted to frame our first treaty of peace, which ad
ded Ohio and the lovely West to our agriculture.
Sido by sido with him, I name tho friend of his
youth, Robert 11. Livingston, the younger, the
enlightened statesman of our Revolution, whose
expansive mind succeeded in negotiating for our
country a world beyond the Mississippi, and gain
ed access lor our Hag to the gulf of Mexico.
Here, on the banks of the Hudson, he is celebra
ted as it were by every steamboat, and remem
bered on your farms through his experimental
zeal. On this day bo remembered the virtues of
otepben Van Kensaleer, who h:st brought Dor-
ham cattle in this State, aud liberally diffused
I he breed.
Join with me also in a tribute to Milclml, the
faithful advocate, and perhaps institutor, of one
of the earliest agricultural societies; to Jesse Du
el, who connected science with fact, taught how
the most barren soil may be made vastly produc
tive, diffused his acquisition by the press, and by
life and by procept was the farmers friend; to
Willis Gaylord, whose agricultural essays are
standard authorities, honorable to the man and
to the State; to Le Riy de Chatimont, who kept
alive an agricultural society in Jefferson county,
when all others had expired, and gave the impulse
to the formation of the Slate society, of which
he was the first president ; to Jas. Wadsworth, for
his skill as a cultivator, and still more for his lib
eral exertions, pouring out thousands after thous
ands, at the impulse of a generous mind, as if
from a well-spring of good will, to promote agri
cultural science in primary schools. And 1
should bo wanting on the occasion, did I not ten
der the expression of your regard to the present
President, of the State Society, to tho influence
of that institution of which he is the honored head
to its Journal of Agriculture, to its annual fair.".
But let me also entreat its friendly wishes to its
purpose of establishing an agricultural school;
and to that other, inoro diffusive design of intro
ducing, through its secretary, scientific works on
agriculture into school libraries. I am happy al
so to anuounco that efforts are now unking to
constitute agriculture, as it deserves to bo, a
branch of instruction in one, at least, of your Uni
versities. Loud cheers.
I have named to yon some of tho benefactors
of Agriculture in New York.-- -Their hoiieliis en
dure. The pursuits of the firmer bind him to
home. Oihcrs may cross continents and vex
oceans; the farmers must dwell near the so';
which ho subdues and fertilizes. His fortunes
are fixed and immovable. The scene of his
youthful labors is tho scene of his declining years
ho enjoys his own plantations, and takes iiis rest
beneath his contempoiary trees.
But the farmer is not limited to the narrow
circumference of his own domain; he stands in
relation with all ages and all climes. Your soci
ety has done wisely to urc on those who bear
the Gospel to untaught notions, to study thoirag-
riciuiure, ana report tor comparison every varie
ty of tillage. All ages and all climes contribute
to your, improvement. For you, are jrathored
tho fruits and seeds which centuries of the exis
tence of the human race have discovered anil
rendered useful. Tell mc if you can, in what
age and in what land the cereal grasses were first
found to produce bread? Who taught to employ
uic useiul cow to lurnisli food tor man? Whet
was the horse first tamed to proud obedience?
The pear, ihe npple, tho cherry, where were these
first improved from their wilderness in tho onci
nal fruit? And whose efforts led the way iii chan
ging tho rough skin of tlio almond to the lucious
sweetness of tho peach? All ages have paid
their fributo to your pursuit. And for you tho
sons ol science aro now scouring' every heath,
and prairie, and wilderness, to seo :if some new
grass lies hidden in an unoxplorod clade; if some
rude stock of the forests can offer a new fruit to
the hand of culture. For you tho earth reveals
tho innumeiable beds or mark; its mineral wealth
the gypsum and the lime, have remained in store
for your use from tho days of creation. For vou
Africa and tho isles of the Pacific open their
magazines oi guano; or you turning to John A
King aud soma other gentlemen from Long Ish
and Old Ocean heavos up its fertilizing weeds,
Great applause. - ' .
And as Tho farmer receives aid from every part
of the material world, so also his door is oncn Ho
all intelligence. What truth is not welcomed as
an Inmato undor his roofr To what pure and
generous feeling does ho fail to give a homo?
Tho great poets and authors of all times aro cher
ished as his guests. Milton and Shakspeare and
their noblo poors, cross his threshold to keep
him company, For him, too, tho harp of Israel's
minstrel moiutrck was strung; for him tho lips of
Isaiah etill move, all touched with fire; and his
daily teachers. . No occupation is nearer heaven.
I lie social angel, when he descended to converse
with men, broke bread with the husbandman be
neath the tree. Tremendous applause.
At this moment, Mr. Van Bust: appeared '
and took his scat with the officers and other gen- .
tlcmen upon the platform. lie was received with'
the wannest enthusiasm, and it was some time
before silence was restored so as to enable Mr.
Bancroft to proceed. ,-
thus the farmer's mind is exalted: Ins prmc;-,
pies stand as firm as your own Highlands; his
good seeds flow like self-moving waters. Yet in
his connection with the humau face, the farmer
never loses his patriotism. He loves America-
s the depository of her glory and the guaruiau
of her freedom. He builds monuments to creat
ness, and when' destiny permits, ho also achieves
heroic deeds in the eyes of his race. The soil
of New Yoik. which ho has beautified h liia
culture, is consecrated in the victories in which
he shared. Faith ! I bow in icvorence, for my
eyes behold the ground with the blood of rustic
martyrs, and hallowed by tho tombs of former
heroes! Where is the land to which tiioir fame
has not been borne? Who docs not know ihe
tole of the hundred battle fields of New York?
Not a rock juts out from the highlands, but the -
mind's eye sees inscribed upon it a record of
deeds of glory. Not a blade of grass springs at ,
Saratoga, but tukes to itself a tongue to proclaim
the successful valor of patriotic husbandmen.
(Applause.) .. '
lloio the name of Schuyler, tho brave, tho
genorous, the unshaken patriot, shall long be re
membered; the zealous, reliable, George Clin
ton, a man of soundest heart, a soul of honesty
ind honor, a dear lover of his country and of
freedom. Nor do we force t him the irallant
Montgomery twin martyr with Warren who
left his fin tn on tho Hudson, not, as it proved, to
conquer Quebec, but to win a mightifcf victory
over death itself. (Cheers.)
I renew that theme once more, to recount how
the fanners of New Yoik havo served their coun
try and mankind. They were invested with
sovcrignty; and they abdicated. Glorious ex
ample ! Highest triumph of disinterested jus- '
lice ! 1 hey themselves peacefully aud public
ly renounced their exclusive authority, and trans
ferred power in this republic from its territory to
its men. (Applause.) May your institutions,
under the spirit of improvement, bo perpetual.
May every pure influence gather round your le
gislation. May your illustrious example show to
tho world the dignity of labor tho shame that
lights on idleness; the honor that belongs to toil.
To the end of time, bo happiness tho compan
ion of your busy homes, and the plough eve bo
in the hands of its owner. Loud cheers.
The farmer is independent. With the me
chanic and manufacturer as li:s allies. lie makes
our country saie against loreign iocs, lor it u
comes perfect by its own resources. All Amer
ica, thanks, to New York, is united in the bonds
of internal commerce; our exchanges at home
exceed our foroign traffic; and were our ships
driven from the ocean highways of tho world,
America ha? become competent to sustain her
self. She has less to fear from war than any na
tion in the vo:ld. She may pursue her career,
aud vindicate her rights and call forth all her en
ergies in conscious security, Applause. But
why do I say this? To foster a spirit of defi
ance? Far otherwise Let us rejoice in our
strength but temper it with tho gentleness and
spirit of love for nil mankind a love that 3hall
perpetuate tranquility, and leave the boundless
and rapidly increasing resources of the country
at liberty for its further devclopcment.
Forests of Now York ! under tho handi of
skill, shape yourselves into models of Naval Ar
chitecture, and go forth upon the seas to recon
cile inequalities of climate, and confirm tho
brotherhood of nations. American ideas shall
travel on your prows and the genius of humani
ty guide your helm; while we who remain at
home will water the tree of peace, so that its
roots shall strike to the very heart of the earth,
and its branches tewcr to the heavens:, wo will
so nurture and protect it, that its verdure shall bo
perennial, that uo spirit of animosity shall sway
us branches, that not even a whisper of discord
shall rustle in its topmost boughs. Enthusias
tic applause.
One word more and I have done. Bat with
that last word, I am about to address, though
but in imagination, the assembled people of New
Yo:k. It is a falo often repeated, that to do
honor to agriculture, the Emperor of China, is,
himself accustomed in the spring-time of every
year, to hold the plough and turn a furrow. Un
der our republican institutions, far more is achic-
ved. The Slate itself includes, and is in the'
greatest measure constituted by its farmors.
They themselves are tho king that holds the
plough and drive the team everyday in the
year. Applause. The whole commonwealth
watches over the fanner. This Society performs
its office us the agent of the people. They are
assembled at our fair, to view with honest exul
tation the products of the farms and workshops,
and single out this occasion alone, on agricultu
ral pursuits to award public honors to exalted
merit. It is right, therefore, to assume that tho
Umpire State itself is present in your midst.'-
At this moment a sudden- alarm was crested
by the settling of the stage, which was closely
crowded. Thero was a crashing sound, and tho
whole appeared to be giving way. Mr. Van Bu
rcn was tho first to spring up, and beg all to bo
quiet, as there was no danger. Mr. Bancroft im
mediately turned it off very happily "Yes," ho
repeated, "the Empire Stato is in your midst,
and when she is here with the broad shield of
her parental protection over our heads, no evil
and no danger can befal any of us no, not even '
to hurf a hair on tho head of. the youngest, and
weakest, and tendercst among us" stooping as -he
spskry to lay his hand kindly on lho head of1
a littlo child which had beet soated up by Its '
mother on the edge of tho pi at form immediately '
at his foot. This littlo incident elicited great
applause after which Mr. Bancroft proceeded.
And has it occurred that this groat common
wealththe most numerous people ovel unitod
under a popular form of government is emphat
ically o commonwealth of tho Jiving? Go to
the Old World, and your daily walk is over cat
acombs; vour Ira vp I nmnmr lU Inmlx...!!, m
lho. living of tho present day outnumber titu
doad of all the generations since your laud was
discovered. All, all who sleep beneath the soil
of New York, sro fewer in number than you who
movo above their craves. Look about vou and
soe what tho men of the west havq nccomrLj
if