ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SO- 

 CIETY, AT THE Vth ^VNNUAL FAIR, HELD AT DETROIT, 

 OCTOBER 2d, 3d, 4Tn AND 5Tn, 1855. 



BY HON. JACOB BROOM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



Gentlemen of the Michigan State Agricultural Society : 



Could one from an eminence view the wide extended territory which 

 forms our nation, and at a glance take in the various industrial pursuits 

 of this free and happy people, witnessing at the same time the grand- 

 eur of nature in her prairies, fields and valleys, irrigated by magnificent 

 lakes ai d numerous rivers ; and the happy results of the arts and sci- 

 ences, the interminable highways and "iron tracks" from the centre to 

 the sea-board : and casting his eye to the east or to the west, behold 

 the vast expanse of waters on either side, studded with the white can- 

 vass of freighted vessels bearing abroad the products of this nation, his 

 heart would naturally swell in exhultation and pride, while boundless 

 thanks to the great Author of all would irresistibly break through the 

 barriers of indifference, and wed him in closest devotion to the best in- 

 terests of his native land or adopted home. 



We have reason, indeed, to congratulate ourselves that within the 

 limits of our country are contained all the elements of real independ- 

 ence. Of necessity no freighted vessel need steer its course toward our 

 shores, nor any nation pour in upon us the products of the labor of its 

 people to the disparagement of that of our own. Industry here cannot 

 fail to produce all that we want, and plenty to spare to other nations 

 less favored ; and to such end should our individual exertions and the 

 legislation of the land be earnestly directed. 



