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if asking, couched in such a subdued tone of humility, that the Le- 

 gislature scarce believe you in earnest. This, gentlemen, is your at- 

 titude before the temporary power which you create to govern you! 

 Contrast it with the conduct of those who seek a different kind of 

 favor at its hands. Watch the thousands of applicants for corporate, 

 and exclusive privileges, and State patronage, who have in times past 

 beseiged your halls of legislation. With what confidence they ap- 

 proach and lay seigetothe law-making power ; and how like "sturdy 

 beggars " they persevere, till, wright or wrong, their importunities are 

 granted. And in parenthasis I might continue to remark, that the his- 

 tory of our corporate legislation is monstrous. Some years by gone, 

 and banking charters were the only subject of moment before these 

 bodies ; and that legislator who did not go home with more or less 

 of the promised shares of a successful application in his pocket, was 

 considered as but a dull financier, or strongly suspected of having 

 what, in private life, is called a conscience ! In later time, it has been 

 asserted that railroad corporations have controlled your Legisla- 

 tures ridden into their seats by aid of free tickets ; and cotemporary 

 with them, had we farmers caught the spirit of the day, and adopted 

 characteristic weapons of success, each one of us would have ap- 

 peared with a sheep on his back, or a truss of poultry at his elbow, 

 to lunch them into acquiescence ! 



But, badinage apart; this is a subject of serious, of momentous conse- 

 quence, not only to us, but to theStateat large. Weare agrowing people; 

 not in population alone, but in wealth, and in resources. Our whole coun- 

 try is comparatively new, and wealth is accumulated with us as with no 

 other people of which history gives an example. I speak of substan- 

 tial, enduring wealth ; that which adds to the enjoyment, the happi- 

 ness, and the truly elevated condition of man. Of all this wealth and 

 prosperity, agriculture is the basis the indispensable support. Yet, 



