ADDRESS. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Society: 



We have met here to-day to discharge a most agree- 

 able duty. The Essex Agricultural Society has finished 

 the first half century of its existence ; and we, to whose 

 care it is now entrusted, desire to pay just tribute fo 

 the distinguished men who have guided its destinies 

 thus far, and to recall their labors in the cause of agri- 

 culture, while we ourselves commence upon a new era 

 of usefulness and prosperity. The history of our soci- 

 ety is identified with almost every active movement for 

 the advancement of Essex County, for the last fifty 

 years. In the early days of its existence, the leading 

 statesmen, and lawyers, and educators and farmers of 

 our county, came up to its support as to a common 

 cause, believing in agriculture as the foundation of the 

 best social and civil organization, and inspired with that 

 love of the land which always characterizes a brave and 

 loyal people. Within this circle all religious and polit- 

 ical controversies have been stilled j all social rivalries 



