22 MR. SAI,T0NSTATJ/S ADDRESS. 



to come will not think as their fathers did, that the}^ are 

 born hereditary enemies. Let us at least hope that the 

 time will come, when competition between nations will 

 be an honorable rivalry for distinction in the arts of 

 peace, not for superior skill and power in the work ot 

 destruction. The late visit of the Queen of England to 

 France, is significant of this blessed advance in true 

 civilization, and lights up visions of hope for the future. 



But what has all this to do with agriculture ? Gen- 

 tlemen, it is closely connected with it. War is the 

 greatest enemy to agricultural improvement. I know 

 that for a time it stimulates the demand for its produc- 

 tions ; but it takes from agriculture the sinews of labor. 

 It spreads desolation over the fields which are the 

 seat of war. It excites a community into a state of 

 restlessness, and inflames passions inconsistent with ag- 

 ricultural industry, and worst of all, it demoralizes a 

 community. Well did Mr. Everett say, in his late 

 eloquent speech, " 0, my Lord, I firmly, believe, that 

 if one thousandth part of the skill, the energy and the 

 treasures, that have been expended by rival nations, in 

 the fierce and deadly strugijjles of what is called "the 

 field," had been employed in a generous emulation to 

 see which would excel the rest in the arts of peace — 

 had this been done, I believe that you farmers would 

 have driven us diplomatists from the field; at any rate, 

 you would have left us but Jittle to do, in carrying on 

 angry international discussions. " The prophetic word 

 has been spoken that agriculture shall flourish in the 

 reign of mild peace — that the time shall come — 0, 

 hasten on the day ! — when the sword shall be beaten in- 

 to ploughshares, and men shall learn war no more. 



The importance of the agricultural interest and the 

 necessity of improvement in cultivation, were early ap- 

 preciated in this State. The Massachusetts Agricultur- 

 al Society was formed more than half a century ago, by 

 some of our most eminent and worthy citizens. A new 

 impulse was given to this great branch of industry, by 

 their exertions, and especially by their valuable publi- 

 cations. And if their transactions seem now to be less 



