MR. HUNTINGTON S ADDKESS. 7 



competence and independence, for the uncertain 

 prospects of large and extraordinary gains ? He may 

 be certain of reasonable success in the pursuits of 

 husbandry, to which he has been trained ; he cannot 

 be certain of an equal relative success in the more 

 hazardous pursuits of commerce or manufactures. 

 Why, then, should he change the mode of life to 

 which he has been accustomed? I am not inculcat- 

 ing the sentiment that a young man should never 

 seek other pursuits than those to which he may have 

 been devoted, but that the young Essex farmer has 

 every reason to be satisfied with his condition ; and 

 if he own the unincumbered fee of the acres, which he 

 cultivates, he may justly esteem himself a most for- 

 tunate man. Compare the present condition of our 

 farmers, in all those particulars which go to make up 

 the comfort and real independence of the man, with 

 that of any other class in the community, or make a 

 similar comparison for the last ten or twenty years, 

 and I am quite sure the farmer will find nothing in 

 such comparison to make him dissatisfied with him- 

 self, his employment, or his prospects. Agriculture, 

 then, as a pursuit, if followed with proper enterprise 

 and spirit, is as respectable and honorable in itself, 

 as any other — it is more certain in its returns, and 

 insures competence and independence. 



But, however this may be ; whether I am strictly 

 correct in this comparative estimate of the different 

 pursuits, is matter of very little practical importance. 

 I believe the views I have expressed to be sound, 

 and such as will commend themselves to the judg- 

 ment of all practical and observing men. Still, right 

 or wrong, you have chosen your profession, and upon 

 reasons and grounds satisfactory, it is to be presum- 

 ed, to your own minds. The point is settled. You 

 are farmers, and have deliberately determined to 

 dedicate yourselves to this mode of life. If any of 

 you, however, are still doubting and hesitating on 

 this point, I would respectfully advise you to come 

 to an immediate determination, for such a state oi' 



