258 [Assemble 



nation's pocket. The government is the voice of a majority of 

 the people, and before we can liope for national improvement we 

 must arouse the people to a full appreciation of the importance 

 of our agricultural interests. We must educate them in the fun- 

 damental principles which govern our national success. 



I speak now, not for the farmer alone, but for the whole peo- 

 ple. Agriculture, underlying as it does every other branch of 

 industry, and being the main support of every man in America 

 (whether he realizes it or not), must in its success or failure carry 

 with it all other trades and professions. Had I the time I might 

 prove this by statistics, but every man may learn from the census 

 of 1850 that my assertions are correct. 



I am aware, sir, that in cities and towns, where political forces 

 mainly originate, the idea of governmental protection to agricul- 

 ture is treated with scorn. The well-dressed retailer of ribbons 

 and laces looks with complacency on the Custom House state- 

 ments of the immense value of those imported, and feels that in 

 selling them he is helping to swell the revenue of the country — 

 but he would ridicule the idea of expending a portion of that re- 

 venue in arresting our unfarmer-like wastes, even though that 

 would double our wealth. His calling, when honorably pursued,, 

 is one which does him credit, but it should not so engross his at- 

 tention as to prevent a proper appreciation of the art which ena- 

 bles his customers to pay for his merchandise. 



I have been requested, sir, to refer to the means of restoring 

 to our lands the properties which they have lost. The most di- 

 rect and available of these is, of course, the purchase of guano,, 

 phosphate of lime, bones, and all other refuse matters. To ar- 

 rest the sewerage of all cities and towns, and apply it to the soil, 

 and to import from other countries as much of the mineral con- 

 stituents of food as we have sent to them, are duties which will 

 sooner or later be performed. There are natural processes by 

 which the soil has its fertilizing parts developed, but if this is 

 continually removed, it must be returned, or the soil will even. • 

 tually become worthless. 



