564 [Assembly 



to husbandry sliall be discussed minutely and applied practically. 

 A voice should go up to our present Legislature from every agri- 

 cultural association in the State, in favor of such an institution; 

 for on them it will mainly depend, whether or not, it shall be put 

 in successful operation. 



And as this movement is seconded by the generous recommen- 

 dation of Gov. Seymour, and the able committee of the Assembly 

 are supposed to favor it, w^e may cherish a thorough hope, that 

 the application will not be in vain. 



By awakening interest and diffusing information, in respect to 

 this great source of w^ealth, these societies are conferring an ines- 

 timable benefit on the farming community. They have added 

 dignity to their occupation, it is in this name that it must be ele- 

 vated to that rank among respectable avocations to which it be- 

 longs, and to which it is destined. Nor can we doubt that the 

 time is at hand when St will take the first rank among active em- 

 ployments. 



It is the acknowledged basis of national prosperity, but if it be 

 suffered to languish and decay, the superstructure, however fair 

 its proportions, will not long stand firm and unmoved. In a re- 

 public especially, much depends upon the virtue and intelligence 

 of the yeomanry, and their influence in the national councils and 

 in the affairs of state. An usurper, as the history of the past few 

 months emphatically teaches, can easily get control of a single 

 city; and if there be .not intelligence, energy, virtue, and self- 

 respect in the country population, by the fall of that great city, 

 an empire can be consolidated without either great abilities^ or 

 great victories. How important it is that the intelligence, virtue 

 and enterprise of a nation should not be centralized wholly in 

 one or in several cities, is evident from the results of the American 

 Revolution. All our populous cities, at different periods of the 

 war, fell into the hands of the enemy ; but with thenij fell not 

 the country. It w^as safe, although our cities were taken, and our 

 harbors filled with hostile fleets, it triumphed under the guidance 

 of her matchless chief, even when our metropolis was in the pos- 

 session of British soldiers. 



