19 



ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



The Society was called to order by the President, Hon. Hekry M. 

 Billings, at three o'clock, P. M., of the third day of the Fair ; and after 

 a very fervent and impressive prayer had been offered, by the Rev. Wm. 

 H. Spencer, of the Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee, the President 

 addressed the Society in a few brief and appropriate remarks, in conclud- 

 ing which, he congratulated the members upon the favorable circum- 

 stances under which they had assembled together, and introduced the 

 Hon. Levi Hubbell to the audience. 



ADDRESS BY HON. LEVI HUBBELL. 



Mr. President, and Fellow 3Iembers of the State Agricultural Society ; 



The field of your labors is not less favored, in its locality, than rich 

 and varied in its products. Forming the apex between the head waters 

 of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, its navigable streams flow alike 

 to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. On the north, are bound- 

 less fol-ests of pine ; on the west, inexhaustible stores of mineral ; through, 

 the middle and south, fertile prairies and openings ; and everywhere, 

 limpid and bounding streams, pure and healthful airs. 



To the eye of the stranger, Wisconsin seems the chosen home of Lidus- 

 try. Health, Prosperity, and Peace. Here it would seem that Agricul- 

 ture, Commerce, and Manufactures might establish themselves, with 

 ■every element of nature for their helper, and every interest of humanity 

 for their stimulant and guide. 



But, gentlemen, though the sun in his circuit, visits no spot of earth 

 lovelier, healthier, or more fertile than our chosen State, I am not here to 

 praise it. I come to speak to you only as working-men, and of your 

 State, as a field of labor. Labor is our common heritage ; our blessino; 

 as well as our curse. When the fiat of Omnipotence drove man from the 

 garden of Paradise, into a world of thorns and briars, we read that " the 

 ground was cursed for his sake," and he was sent forth, "to till the earth, 

 from which he was taken." But his case was not left hopeless. Though 



