156 j Assembly 



Gen. Tallmadge then addressed the convention, in siibt^lance as 

 follows : 



He said he had been strenuously urged to deliver an address to this 

 convention, which he could not do, as he had not been well, and as he 

 had after eighteen years' service retired from active duty in the good 

 cause. But he would say a few words, as they occurred to him called 

 thus suddenly before the convention. 



He alluded to the large proportion of the population of the country 

 engaged in agriculture, and held that it was the fault of that interest 

 if they did not compel their legislators to be favorable to them. What 

 measures were necessary for this, it was the object of this convention 

 to devise. Production and a market therefor, are the two great sub- 

 jects which cover the duty of the agricultural interest, and that of the 

 country. 



The source of production belongs to the agricultural societies of the 

 land. In this State they abound, and thus there is a regular organiza- 

 tion on this subject, for conference and consultation on the sciences 

 connected with agriculture ; and the speaker alluded to the great im- 

 provement in the means for the development of mind and intellect, as 

 bearing on the point. When you bring science to bear on agriculture, 

 you find a vast field for its exercise ; and he dwelt on the value of 

 books on these subjects, as great aids in practical agriculture. 



His observations on meteorology, as connected with the general sub- 

 ject of agriculture, were very interesting ; showing how difi'erent were 

 the necessary and proper measures for England, and our own country, 

 and how erroneous it was to quote an English authority as to what 

 was proper there, in reference to the soil of our own land. 



Gen. T. alluded very feelingly to our present state of prosperity as 

 an agricultural people, and to our indebtedness to a benignant Provi- 

 dence for its overruling kindness ; advised against all approaches to 

 war, and counselled the greatest vigilance on the part of the farming 

 interest, how they permitted politicians to dragoon the country into a 

 war. He adverted to the Oregon question ; to a late Secretary of 

 State's recommendation of a " masterly inactivity" on that subject ; 

 to Mr. Everett's diplomatic unwillingness to attend a public dinner, 

 because he can not ^eak on the subjects which came under his su- 

 pervision and observation, during his diplomatic residence in Englaiid. 



