When the Union was threatened, and the Flag was in- 

 sulted, the sons of Essex were among the first to enter 

 Baltimore, the first to enter Richmond — and the last 

 to leave. They fell on almost every battle-field of the 

 war. They were found among the horrors of Port Hud- 

 son, at the weary work at Vicksburg, fighting for free- 

 dom at Gettysburg, toiling with Grant through the 

 gloom of the Wilderness, holding New Orleans under 

 loyal sway with Butler, passing along the great march 

 with Sherman, manning the decks of our navy on every 

 sea. What a half century of greatness the Almighty 

 Father has bestowed upon us ! May we who are here 

 never forget our obligations — and may those who come 

 after us be true to their great inheritance. 



In concluding this address, gentlemen, I desire to ex- 

 press my grateful recognition of the honor you have 

 conferred upon me, by selecting me for a second time to 

 discharge this duty — an honor bestowed by this Society 

 upon but one other — and he the distinguished first Pres- 

 dent. I congratulate you upon your career thus far, — 

 upon the wisdom and good judgment which have always 

 guided your counsels — upon the fraternal regard which 

 has always existed among your members — and upon the 

 devotion of your present presiding ofiicer in Avhose hands 

 the first half century of the Society is brought to a 

 bright and prosperous termination. I trust your career 

 will still be successful — and that among the most useful 

 of the institutions which we transmit to those Avho come 

 after us, will be the Essex Agricultural Society, support- 

 ed by the practical intelligence of the county, and sur- 

 rounded by all the delightful associations wliich cheer 

 alike the young and the old, in a cultivated and happy 

 rural life. 



