18 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the enlightened vision of the true seer, he beholds in the 

 dawning century the possibility of fairer, happier times. 



" Through storm and calm the years have led 

 Our nation on from stage to stage, 

 A century's space, — until we tread 

 The threshold of another age. 



" "We see there, o'er our pathway swept, 

 A torrent stream of blood and fire, 

 And thank the ruling Power who kept 

 Our sacred league of States entire. 



" Oh, checkered train of years, farewell, 

 "With all thy strifes and hopes and fears ; 

 But with us let thy memories dwell, 

 To warn and lead the coming years. 



" And thou, the new beginning age, 



Warned by the past, and not in vain, 

 "Write on a fairer, whiter page 

 The record of thy happier reign." 



And so, with these influences all around me, — with the 

 most resolute determination to do a yeoman's duty here to-day, 

 — I was swept away upon the current, and borne into the 

 very centre of the patriotic maelstrom. My notes upon the 

 "Law of Inheritance" lie tucked away, dust-covered, in a 

 neglected pigeon-hole, and I am here to address you rather 

 in your general character of citizens of " The Great Republic," 

 than in your more special character as farmers. 



One hundred years of independence ! A hundred years of 

 toil. A hundred years of manly and successful toil, crowned 

 all along by golden and abundant harvests. The Centennial 

 of American Independence ! Let us rejoice that we behold 

 this epoch, so freighted with refreshing remembrances of the 

 past. A thought-compelling time. An era of memory, of 

 recollection ; recalling a long line of generous and heroic 

 deeds ; suggesting thoughts of triumphs ; but not so much 

 the brutal triumphs of the battle-field, as those better victo- 

 ries of peace ; — triumphs of industry, of commerce ; triumphs 

 of the will over obstacles ; of the mind over nature ; of con- 

 science over animal impulses ; triumphs of benevolence and 

 humanity. It is a-time of good words, of congratulations and 

 of eulogy. Let us drink inspiration from the inspiring past ; 

 and, being contented in the present, let us be fearless of the 



