MISCELLANEOUS ADDRESSES. 
253 
toward the land of 11 green pastures, by the still waters,” may your 
hearts be lightened by the consciousness of noble deeds performed ; 
may your feet be guided by the rythmic music of Heaven’s sweet 
approval. 
ADDRESS. 
BY HON. JOHN L. MITCHELL. 
Delivered at Richland County Fair, September, 1872. 
Ladies and Gentlemen: 
I feel that my presence before you, in the role of would-be 
orator, calls for an excuse. It comes from a desire to respond to 
the wishes of my friends, and not from any expectation that I can 
either enlighten or amuse. 
My friend Waggoner has accused me, and in print, of being a 
practical farmer. The poets are permitted a certain license; I pre¬ 
sume something of that kind must be allowed to the secretary of 
an agricultural society. Moreover, on the eve of a presidential 
election, these newspaper men take strange liberties with people’s 
characters. 
Notwithstanding your worthy secretary, I have not as yet 
i 
reached that serene point of practicality from whence I can issue 
to you infallible receipts for the growing of long ears on the corn¬ 
stalks, or short ears on the mules’ heads, but I am trudging 
towards it I am not as yet a practical farmer, but I am trying to 
become one; without vanity be it said, I know of no more worthy 
ambition. 
The subject, agriculture, is a broad one; as broad in fact as the 
fields that the sun shines on. But these fields have their fence 
corners; in them springs the tangled second-growth, and under¬ 
neath nod the uncultivated flowers. I will pull one of these and 
call it one of the duties of a farmer. I trust that in my hands it 
may not prove a nettle. 
