Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 495 
From this source has arisen all of our prosperity, and all of our 
wonderful success hitherto, and to it we may confidently look for 
continued and greater advancement, and for more splendid results. 
Such is the character of our American institutions and the enter¬ 
prise and spirit of our people, that monopolies, whether of a private 
or public character, will not be allowed to control or rule the des¬ 
tinies of this country. Here the people are the source of all power; 
and if it be rightly and intelligently exercised, we shall continue to 
advance and improve, until finally, under the providence of God, 
we shall reach the perfection of human government, and the acme 
of human happiness. 
ADDRESS AT THE GRANGE-PICNIC HELD AT DANE 
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FAIR. 
BY HON. GEORGE E. BRYANT. 
Man says, “ Let there be light,” and immediately the flickering 
tapers glow. God said, “Let there be light,” and the glorious sun, 
the silvery moon, the twinkling stars, and the beautiful earth mov¬ 
ed and shone, each in its proper sphere. Earlier history teaches u* 
that, in the most fertile spot of earth, the Creator of the Universe 
planted a Garden and called it Eden. To this Garden, rich with 
golden grain, sweet with the incense of beautiful flowers, crowned 
with evergreen trees, laden with abundant fruit, in whose branches 
the songs of birds made music sweet, and at their roots little brooks 
gurgled down from the mountain-side, and waters lept to cheer 
the haunts of nature with their smiles, he brought man, then 
woman. Here was the foundation of all society. Our first parents 
were not ministers, doctors, or lawyers. They were not artisans or 
philologions. No great monopolist dictated to them the price of 
shoes or sugar. They were plain farmer people; grangers who 
placed faith in God, and they were happy, until tempted by that 
wily politician, the devil. They attempted to set themselves up in 
trade, heeded not the warnings of their Maker; got frightened; 
secreted themselves; abandoned farming; and at last turned tailors 
and made clothing of fig-leaves. Here was the first secret society 
