552 [Assembly 



^ Mr. President, there have been those who have suggested that 

 there vs^as a difference, if not an opposition of interests between the 

 farmer and the merchant, and mechanic and manufacturer. That 

 these various pursuits rather preyed on, than lived by each other^ 

 and that the success and prosperity of the farmer particularly, was 

 incompatible with that of the mechanic or manufacturer, and that 

 protection to home industry was a sacrifice of him to the athers. 



In a government like ours, sir, and with a people like ours, we 

 need fear no external foe. We have now reached a point of nation- 

 al greatness that enables us, if need be, to meet on equal terms with 

 the proudest and the strongest of the great powers of the earth. But, 

 sir, we have always a danger, always a foe to guard against, most 

 deadly and most insidious. It is unsound public opinion, This is 

 worse than all the rage of foreign hostile nations, — more to be feared 

 than famine or pestilence. 



It has been the fortunate destiny of this association to meet and 

 overcome a most dangerous fallacy, that might, perhaps, otherwise 

 have grown into public opinion, that is, the fallacy that agriculture 

 and its interests are injured by the protection of domestic industry. 



There are doubtless great objects yet to be accomplished by this 

 body, great ends yet to be reached; but had it done nothing else 

 than this, it had earned an enviable fame, had perfected a great work, 

 and entitled itself to the lasting gratitude of all who are truly anxious- 

 for the welfare of their country. 



There are triumphs of many kinds — civil triumphs, forensic tri- 

 umphs, political and party triumphs, and glorious military triumphs, 

 but each of these is often purchased at such cost as mingles some 

 regret with all the rejoicing; " medio defonte leporum surgit amari 

 aliquid;^^ but a great victory of truth over falsehood, of sound sense 

 over error, is a triumph without alloy, a triumph in which all may 

 join, as fortunate for those who have been overcome as for those who 

 have prevailed. May such be the continued achievements of the 

 American Institute I 



