40 



MR. BAGG again addressed the Convention as follows : 

 MR. PRESIDENT 



Agricultural Education is our great theme. It has become a very popu 

 theme. The phrase is quite familiar, and yet \ve hardly know whai 

 meant by it. 



Our fathers are held in grateful remembrance, as philanthropists, becai 

 their first public acts were to lay b;oad and deep in the virgin soil of N 

 England, foundations for those educational and religious institutions wh 

 have contributed, more than any thing else, to give her importance and 1 

 sons influence. Before this audience I hazard nothing in saying that Ni 

 England is a favored spot. Not that she is fanned by the soft breezes 

 the " sunny South," not that her lands are superior, or even equal, to 1 

 rich bottoms of the West, where the soil, fat with the tribute of ages, 

 pays an hundred fold the labors of the husbandman, and gives without bei 

 impoverished ; but most highly favored with the means of moral and int 

 lectual improvement. In this respect New England is the bright spot of < 

 Union, and from this spot what a multitude of sons have gone forth to 

 bright, guiding stars to their countrymen. 



Let it not be supposed, however, that intelligence is a natural prodi 

 tion, indigenous to the soil of New England. It is the result of that edu( 

 tional system, whose genial influence permeates her every nook and corne 

 not only teaching ** the young idea how to shoot," but teaching also t 

 great lessons of self-reliance and self-control; disciplining New Engla 

 mind to conflict, to patient, persevering, arduous effort, and accustoming 

 by these means, to overcome every obstacle. 



Such mind has resources, resources flowing at every step of its progres 

 Such mind can never be entirely baffled ; it is made enthusiastic by diffici 

 ties, and is never enervated by success. Such mind must accomplish 

 purpose, and will even though the " iron be dull." Such mind, applied 

 the cultivation of the soil, will never assume the garb of the mendicant ai 

 " beg in harvest." 



This system of education makes men, and to determine its influence upi 

 agriculture, let us inquire whether under any other " system" and on ai 

 other " spot," can be found an agricultural people superior or even equ 

 to the people of New England in moral and intellectual attainment, or mo 

 capable of developing the agricultural resources of the soil they live upon. 



Sir, let us not forget what we have, in looking and wishing for what v 

 have not. Let us not neglect to improve the price already in our han< 

 wherewith to get wisdom, with the delusive idea that the State is about i 

 furnish wisdom "without price." 



Let us remember that if the State provide the means and appliances for 

 scientific course of agricultural study, the young man must " wake up fro 

 his drowsy nap," and qualify himself '" to go up higher." 



HON. E. ROCKWELL HOAR, of Concord, being called on by the chai 

 spoke as follows : 



