SOLON ROBINSON, 1841 233 



who cultivates, who spins, who weaves their own family 

 linen? None, or at least but few. And the reason why, 

 is given, "that we can buy so cheap." True, the flimsy 

 articles of the day, like Pindar's razors, made to sell, 

 can be bought cheap. But who partakes of the profit of 

 your surplus produce, that you must exchange for these 

 cheap articles? 'Tis not the farmer. Rely upon it, if the 

 farmer would be prosperous, his whole family must rely 

 more upon their own resources. They must raise more 

 wool and flax, and the banished spinning wheel must be 

 again recalled. And in all things he must rely more upon 

 his own exertion to improve his condition. He must take 

 the conduct of his most vital interests into his own hands. 

 It is idle to suppose, that legislation, as at present con- 

 ducted, will ever be for his benefit. But there is a won- 

 derful change coming over the farming community. 

 Thousands are already aroused to think ; and it is a char- 

 acteristic of the farmers of our country, if they begin to 

 think, they begin to act. 



Your Society is the basis upon which Union will build 

 a noble fabric. I entreat you to persevere until you rally 

 around this little nucleus every good man, of every pro- 

 fession, within your chartered limits. 



You have already done much, and you have much more 

 to do, but you have much to encourage you. No doubt 

 you can already see the fruit of the little seed which you 

 undertook to cultivate a few months ago. 



Let me once more entreat you to persevere. Your com- 

 munity are scattered over a wide field — strangers to one 

 another — strangers to the country, even; and you can 

 hardly imagine the good effects that will be produced by 

 promoting acquaintance and friendly feeling, which can 

 be done in no way that can be devised as well as by your 

 frequent meetings. The farmers will soon become in- 

 terested; your orators will find ready listeners; and all 

 know that the matter of a public address sinks into the 

 mind far deeper when heard from the speaker than when 

 read. 



