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Wisconsin state agricultural society . 
Turning to the statistics of Massachusetts, we find striking illus¬ 
trations of the fact that a variety of industrial pursuits multiplies 
opportunities for employment. In many of the small towns, there 
is at least one manufacfuring establishment to every one hundred 
of the population. Each establishment, though small, has its own 
center of life and influence, gives aid to many families, and draws 
to itself wealth, not unfrequently from distant parts of the coun¬ 
try. In such communities all classes of persons are stimulated to 
industry, and labor of every kind finds opportunity and reward. 
The old, the feeble in health and the young, find profitable labor, 
and are able to add something to their own accumulations and to 
the general wealth. 
Furnish the people of Wisconsin with similar opportunities and 
thousands who are now too feeble, from age or other causes, to ac¬ 
complish much on the farm, and many other thousands who are 
not now regularly employed, would find pleasant and remunera¬ 
tive labor, and while benefiting themselves, would do much to im¬ 
prove the finances of the state. Thousands of youth now growing 
up in idleness for want of employment suited to their constitution 
and natural bent, would be saved to themselves and society. Start 
an establishment for the manufacture of whips, buttons, shoes, 
thread, hats, spades, knives, clocks, clothing or other useful arti¬ 
cles, and many hands are at once stretched out for something to do. 
Work is a divine institution, the original college, and they are 
unfortunate who fail to secure its fostering influence. Few things 
should a republic dread more than an indolent people, a people 
that cannot find employment Yet all were not born to till the soil 
or build houses; each has his own aptitude. Attempt to make 
your born merchant a good ditcher, and he fails you every time. 
Make the lawyer, born and fed in your household, plant and hoe, 
he moves with a listlessness that ought to tell you his heart is 
elsewhere, and if you make him a farmer, life will be to him the 
severest drudgery. He has his special gift and a right to exer¬ 
cise it. A certain amount of mechanical skill, and of agricultu¬ 
ral skill, is born to a nation annually, and the nation can use 
it or waste it at its pleasure, but cannot divert it without loss. 
A state’s labor well divided is sufficient to furnish its inhabitants 
with suitable food, clothing and appropriate luxuries. When all 
