14 



the mountains and the hillsides. And when these forests are 

 gone, and the clear mountain streams are dry, Berkshire will not 

 only have lost much of her material wealth, but she will have lost 

 much of the magnificence and beauty which have made her so at- 

 tractive and so renowned. 



And, gentlemen, it may become desirable, nay necessary, for 

 the public welfare, that the preservation and increase of the for- 

 ests of this country be made a subject of national legislation — as 

 it is in France to-day. 



Farmers can greatly advance their own interests and the inter- 

 ests of the State, by becoming still better acquainted with tine 

 real nature of our government, and the means by which it may be 

 maintained in strength and in purity. 



Farmers, you hold the balance of power in this country to-day ; 

 and you will ever hold it. What responsibilities, therefore, rest 

 upon you ! According as you vote, so, mainly, will our govern- 

 ment be weak or strong, corrupt or pure. 



Inform yourselves perfectly in regard to the nature of 

 our Government, and to all that pertains to its highest in- 

 terests ; train yourselves to independent thought and in- 

 telligent action ; cutting loose from party and party leaders 

 whenever the interests of the State require it ; and educate your 

 sons and your daughters in the same spirit — and our government 

 will be maintained in theory and in purity. 



And finally, if the farmer would secure the highest benefits- 

 which it is possible for Man to attain, he must labor to become 

 all that it is possible for him to become, not only physically, but 

 also intellectually, and spiritually. He must cultivate not the 

 land only, but he must also cultivate his social nature, his mind, 

 and his heart. 



Man, in order to fulfill his high destiny, must understand some- 

 thing of the reason why he is in the world ; and then labor in 

 the light of this understanding ; and he must not mistake means 

 for ends. It is Man's privilege and duty to plow, and sow, and reap, 

 and gather into barns ; to dig for iron, silver, and gold, and pre- 

 cious stones ; to build rail-roads and ware-houses ; to build steam- 

 boats and ships, and sail them over all seas and to all climes ; to 

 buy and sell and get gain ; to run wires across the plains, and 



