15 



tiiral world in many ways. Through the common school, through 

 the modification of farm implements and methods, through the 

 public press. It will act, wdth its unsettling power, here good, 

 here evil, on forms and institutions. The intelligence wdiich it 

 will devoloj) may not ahvays be a blessing — it may even strike 

 savagely at the very restraints which are needed to make it a 

 blessing. Our hope must lie in great part with you, — with the 

 agricultural communities which invest the great centers of in- 

 dustry with the verdure of fertile soil and the homes of cheerful 

 labor. Science will aid you who come nearest to nature to come 

 nearer still. A wholesome pride in your profession, a more thor- 

 ough knowledge of the laws among which it works, continually 

 increasing skill to alleviate its hardships and increase its com- 

 forts, ail this you may expect it to give. In short, it will give 

 more power of being independent, happy, wise. You will not 

 be the dwindling estate of the realm, whose golden age is over, 

 but treasury, bench, executive will more and more respect and 

 honor you. It is only necessary that you cherish that self re- 

 spect which is ever ready to incorporate wMth the elements of dai- 

 ly life all that ijicreasing knowledge shall suggest to make it 

 better. 



I cannot end without the word of commendation which it 

 would be both unjust and discourteous to withhold. You show 

 us that our old historic country is touched by no barrenness or 

 neglect. Skill multiplies her productive forces and brings from 

 her liarvest fields their lavish wealth. It is still certain that her 

 rustic homes are rich in graceful and housewifely art. Could we 

 \isit them, we should find them wise with the old thrift and 

 more beautiful with the new grace. But your Fair Grounds and 

 Hall indicate more than this. They show that you are growing 

 more and more into the acceptance of the profession of a-Ticnl- 



