30 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ciple of good as its essential element ; and when an active 

 moral intention shall enter into all our thoughts and words 

 and works, we shall approach more nearly to the "ideal social 

 state." We need no new moral inventions ; we need to apply 

 morality to conduct. One thing we must always bear in 

 mind. Man's course is progressive. The vanguard of human- 

 ity is always passing — slowly, but surely, passing — from 

 lower to higher, from glory unto glory. But many things 

 which have served us in the past, retard our growth under 

 new and higher conditions. In the last century, we erected a 

 banner of "rights," and under that sign we conquered. "We 

 hold all men heirs to certain inalienable rights," says the Dec- 

 laration of Independence, and the formula has stimulated us 

 to glorious achievements. But we should now take another 

 step. The doctrine of rights has had its day. The doctrine 

 of duties should be advanced to the front; and, with "duty" 

 as our watchword, we shall advance to still grander and nobler 

 victories. The highest right of man, is the right to do his 

 duty. 



I did not deem it out of place on such an important occasion 

 as this to make a practical and philosophical .review of our 

 condition. Evils to be cured must be earnestly criticised. I 

 have faith in the future, faith in humanity, faith in our country. 

 I believe that man will enter upon a new and yet higher phase 

 of action ; that he will devote a larger share of his intelligence 

 to the practice of morals ; that he will yet ultimate his moral 

 formulas in conduct. 



