259 



promotinG; all that was national. Whereas, ou the contrary, while this 

 country, in the single instance of cotton, posse-ssed a capacity to raise a 

 sufficient supply for the whole world, that of an inferior qimlity was, at 

 one time in our history, purchased in Bengal, as was also the manufac- 

 tured article in Hiiidoostan and England, to the great disparagement of 

 our cotton growers, and of tens of thousands of our own indigent, but 

 capable citizens. 



Thus I have endeavored in a eonciso way, to represent the necessity 

 on the part of agricultural societies to encourage and uphold other 

 branches of industry and commerce, that the producer may the more 

 readily find a certain and j)rofitable market for his produce, agriculture 

 be upheld and promoted, the people become industrious and contented, 

 and the nation wealthy and prosperous. 



But mere wealth and prosperity is not all that a nation requires. 

 China and Hindoostan, with all their profitable labor are far frooi being 

 great in the scale of nations. They want enlightenment. Neither, on 

 the other hand, will enlightenment of itself, render a State great and 

 happy, as exemplified by Greece in its maturity, or Rome in the Augus- 

 tan age. But enlightenment and industry, hand in hand, will and 

 must elevate a nation to the pinnacle of greatness. 



You will pardon me for trespassing on your patience beyond the 

 mere specific requirements of your society. This occasion is to me one 

 of deep interest. I feel that I address my countrymen ; men, whose 

 education and pursuits have not and cannot shut out from the mind 

 and the heart a glowing pride in the greatness and glory of their coun- 

 try, and who would even scorn the idea of individual interests separate 

 from and irrespective of the honor and condition of their nation.* 

 Besides which, it may not be entirely unprofitable in your pursuit, to 

 reflect upon the operations of other nations, ihat you may mark the 

 efiect of unwise and mistaken policy in some, and profit by the sound- 

 ness of it in others. To advance the interests of one's nation, is indeed 

 a primary duty. Nature herself suggests it. As our atffctions natu- 

 rally cling to the scenes of our earlier homes, so does our pride attach 

 in maturity to our national domain. The honor of our country grows 

 into an idol. Let that honor be once insul'-ed, and the agriculturist 

 will fly from his plow, the manufacturer abandon his loom, the mechanic 



•*' Ithink it is ihe duty of every good maa primarily to respect the woll'are of liis natirc 

 country."— Sir Juiiuh Child, 1C80. 



