112 



was a bold movement — few States have had the courage- 

 to do likewise. But the exigencies of our farmers re- 

 quired it, and their sons can fill it to overflowing, and it 

 can be made an institution of incalculable benefit to the^ 

 whole State. 



In the great work before them farmers need the aid or 

 the Legislature, and the hearty co-operation of the pub- 

 lic. To this some manufacturers may object, and say^ 

 we create new and better markets — if agriculture does^ 

 not thrive under the stimulation of these, let it decline^ 

 Other men may claim that any special grants, privileges, 

 or aid from the public will be construed as favoritism and 

 may form a dangerous precedent, for agriculture is only 

 one of our many employments — merely a specialty.. 

 But have not our manuflictures and commerce been con- 

 stantly under the patronage of government, and are they 

 either more than a specialty ? Our manufacturers saw 

 from the beginning that protection was necessary for 

 their very existence ; they sought it, claimed it, and ob- 

 tained it ; and even now, their great prosperity is due in 

 large measure to the fostering care of government. A 

 few merchants finding that Boston would be benefitted 

 b}" a larger traffic with the West, at different times de- 

 termined to open new thoroughfares across the State^ 

 and they asked for aid ; it has been freely grantee?. 

 Most faithfully and zealously has the State watched and 

 guarded the mercantile and manufjicturing interests. 

 So f-AY has legislation sometimes been carried to advance 

 these interests, that the riirhts of farmers have been ic^ 

 nored. It would not be an act of generosity if the help>- 

 ing hand of the State were now extended and an effort 

 made to raise agriciilture to the position it should occu- 

 py; it would be simply justice, or the recognition of 



