STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 25 



It will be vain to object that it will increase the expense of the 

 government, or that it will complicate the administration and 

 add to the numbers of the cabinet. The farmers furnish the 

 money, and instead of complicating and confusing, it will relieve 

 the department of the Interior, still leaving in that department 

 enough to occupy the mind and employ the energies of any ordi- 

 nary man. No valid objection can be urged against the estab- 

 lishment of such a department, and it is only necessary that the 

 united voices of our farmers shall be heard in Washington to 

 produce this very important end. Some time since, when this 

 subject was discussed at a meeting of the National Society, it was 

 objected that the department of Agriculture would necessarily be 

 filled by a 'politician^ as were the other branches of government, 

 and that the interests of agriculture would thereby greatly sufifer. 

 This objection was urged by an influential senator, but although 

 the source of the objection was high, the objection itself has no 

 validity. In all the parties into which the country has ever been 

 divided, there have been found well-qualified, patriotic men, who 

 would command the confidence of the community, and who 

 would devote to the objects of their office, all the requisite talent, 

 industry and skill, and it is not true, that because they might 

 belong to one or another party they would fail in fidelity to the 

 duties required of them. 



With agricultural contributions to the wealth of nations of 

 more than fifteen hundred millions of dollars per year, the inte- 

 rests of which blend with every other interest of the world, it is 

 not asking too much to demand a department of agriculture, as 

 an obligation of government, as a right the granting of which is 

 not longer to be deferred. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen — The cause of agricultural 

 labor is the cause of our common humanity. The onward pro- 

 gress of civilization, of arts, of science, and of all that elevates 

 and adorns society, essentially depend upon its character and the 

 estimate in which it is held. In all the Free States, it sends its 

 contri])utions of members and influence to every avocation and 

 profession. It claims support. It demands honor. It is to be 

 protected and defended against all assaults, eitlier from an aristo- 

 cratic pride and feeling at home, or from degrading servile in- 

 fluences from abroad. Its fruits of industry recjuire the protecting, 



