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companionable; she brings health to those who embrace her, whilst 

 I have only to look about me to see how justified I am in upholding 

 her dignity — the dignity of agriculture ! 



Cooperation is needed. Let each take a hand in helping each 

 along. Let husbands and fathers make it as easy as possible for their 

 wives, and as pleasant as possible for their children. As soon as 

 some little comfort can be allowed, don't play the niggard about get- 

 ting it, As soon as the daily routine of house-work can be lightened, 

 get help willingly. It has been up-hill climbing for sometime, now 

 take advantage of every level piece and fair bank you come to. 



Let the children do all they can to make it as easy and as pleasant 

 as possible for the old people. Remember how they have striven to 

 get the means of education and livelihood for you who are to come 

 after. It will be but little recompense for struggling, and nipping, 

 that you should do what lies in your power to smooth the way before 

 them, so that the tired hands may rest, the feeble limbs be sustained, 

 and the faded eyes may see that "at eventide there will be light." 



And now, in conclusion, Mr. President, and ladies, and gentlemen, 

 I am aware that in this address I have strayed far from the beaten 

 track trodden in by those who step on the platform before an agri- 

 cultural society. I have not charmed you with the full statistical 

 reports last issued by the Assessors of Sonoma and Marin Counties, 

 nor shall I leave you happy in the possession of choice information 

 respecting the number of bushels harvested on the wheat fields of 

 Connecticut. I have not assayed an essay on irrigation, nor have I 

 endeavored to solve the Chinese problem. I have somehow forgot- 

 ten to instruct you on reclamation, and have not congratulated you 

 on your crops. Instead of adopting this regular and sensible course, 

 I have taken a text and preached you a sort of lay sermon. If I 

 have been a trifle serious at times, it is because I felt seriously, and 

 though I have not invoked the American eagle nor cried eureka, the 

 character of my subject would excuse a little tall talk. 



I take it that the dignity of agriculture is quite as noble a theme 

 as the election of a Supervisor, and I have heard some burning ora- 

 tory spring into existence during the struggle between Mr. Green and 

 Mr. Jones for the Supervisorship of the First Ward. I question, 

 indeed, if I shall indulge in anything approaching a peroration full 

 of sound and climax. No, I would rather say something which shall 

 be full of cheer and reasonably Avorth remembering. You are living- 

 lives that are not empty ones; cultivating waste lands and making 

 the untouched earth fruitful is noble work. You are the thews 

 and sinews of a nation's existence. You are living lives that place 

 you on an equal standing with those who form the other pillars of 

 the country's importance — commerce and manufacture. With a thriv- 

 ing agricultural community there is no fear of America's decadence. 

 You are living lives that have in them the charms of quietness 

 and peace. No 'turmoil of fevered stock-gambling hurts your ears, 

 no chicanery in business w T arps your faith in your fellow-men. The 

 years flow tranquilly along, marked only by the gently changing 

 visits of the seasons. God's sun shines down on you more than half 

 the year, and feeling his beneficent influence, there is no need_ for 

 you to turn elsewhere for unstable doctrines preached by wrangling, 

 narrow sects. Seed time and harvest, summer and winter, are too 

 pregnant with teachings to suffer any ignoring the great creative 

 power. 



