ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 231 



Sir : I did intend to have offered a few reflections touching upon 

 the athletic and equestrian exercises, now somewhat popular as a 

 part of these occasions. One brief remark, however, must suflice. 

 It is this — these exercises properly conducted, are useful, 'both as 

 an amusement and a recreation ; and excess guarded against, they 

 may be an interesting and profitable feature of these exhibitions. 



And now, sir, I must bring these remarks to a close ; and yet all 

 I have said is but a preface to the great subject as it unfolds before 

 us. But in closing, let us for a moment turn our thoughts to the 

 future. And that future, mysterious and unrevealed as it is, is 

 ours — ours to embrace for noble aims and manly deeds — ours to 

 impress with high and worthy thoughts — ours to mold into a more 

 perfect life. The past gives us a key to the future. The crystal 

 palaces of London and New York, do not belong to England, nor 

 to the United States, but to the civilized world — to every depart- 

 ment of industry, art, science and literature. And to all these they 

 have given a new and mighty impulse, which, in results, reflects 

 upon the future grand constructions and conditions, and mighty 

 achievements. They have opened a broad and deep channel of in- 

 telligence to the world — they have united continents by a strong 

 bond of reciprocal feeling. And, sir, neither you nor I, can esti- 

 mate these results, in the elevating of the nations of earth. A 

 practical beauty and sublimity is growing out of them, as seed sown 

 on good ground, that foreshadows a new and bright link in the 

 mental and moral destiny of the race. 



Our worthiest toil is a toil that shall act upon and mold future 

 interests for good. The establishing of this society was not for 

 yesterday or to-day, nor for next year — but so long as seed time 

 and- harvest shall be. It is an institution fostering incentives to 

 manliness, to vigorous toil, to enduring effort, to moral greatness. 

 Here is engendered the true nobility of the American heart. Let 

 its power and spirit work on in flowing tides, and swell out in har- 

 monious notes, 'till from every hill top of New England — 'till from 

 the valleys of the Mississippi and the Ohio — 'till from the deep gorges 

 of the Rocky Mountains — 'till from the golden plains of the Pacific, 

 shall be heard the inspiring chant of " Peace — Unity — Plenty" — 

 mingling with the anthem of a hundred inillion tongues — " We are 

 free ! — we are free ! " 



