44 MR. proctor's address. 



Wonder not that reform is contemplated ; — humanity 

 demands it ; — the spirit of liberty demands it ; — Christi- 

 anity demands it. Let it come — come it must. 



Have we not cause of congratulation in the improved 

 moral and social condition around us ? Is it not true 

 among farmers as with others, that their customs and hab- 

 its have materially changed for the better within a few 

 years ? Twenty-five years since, and nine-tenths of our 

 farmers were more or less in bondage to alcohol. I do 

 not mean that so many of them were intemperate, in the 

 ordinary sense of the term, but that they were in the 

 habit of using that which was not necessary to be used — 

 to the great detriment of themselves and their estates. 

 Where will the farmer now be found, who will unblush- 

 ingly say, before he commences his haying, that he must 

 lay in as many gallons, or even quarts of spirit, as he ex- 

 pects to cure tons of hay ? Or that his men cannot com- 

 mence mowing in the morning, without their bitters; — 

 proceed at eleven o'clock without their grog; — or load 

 in the afternoon, without their bumper; — not to mention 

 the grosser indulgences of the evening. Time was, 

 when these customs, by whatever name they were call- 

 ed, were as familiar as household gods. When even the 

 sober man thought that some was necessary in haying — 

 especially in going to the meadows, or the marsh. But 

 manners have changed with times ; — what was once al- 

 most a universal custom, is now only to be countenanced 

 for m.edicinal purposes, and then with sound discretion. 

 May the change be perpetual. 



May I not congratulate you on the auspicious circum- 

 stances to our country, under which you have this day 

 assembled ? All classes of our fellow citizens actively 

 and successfully employed. The necessaries and com- 

 forts of life at command in abundance. The prices of 

 labor, such that no man in health need to be in want. 

 Each of the various branches of industry in the commu- 

 nity, receiving its due encouragement, under the foster- 

 ing protection of our government : and in a multitude 

 of ways, mutually aiding each other. The farmer feeds 

 the manufacturer : the raanuliicturer clothes the farm- 



