254 Wisconsin state agricultural society . 
From this period in the history of our race, the advancements 
made, and the means of producing all the necessaries and luxuries- 
of life have greatly multiplied. By labor we produce food, and 
by labor we build railroads and ships to convey ii from one part 
of the globe to another; by labor we make iron and steel, reapers 
and mowers, lime and bricks, cloth and clothing, hats and shoes,, 
vessels and vehicles ; in short, everything used by man. Labor 
is the sole source to wealth and the sole means of exchanging the- 
products of one section for those of another. Labor is the only 
source of wealth and consequently of national greatness and 
independence. 
In presenting labor as the only source of wealth to individuals 
and to the state, let it not be understood that we refer to the 
labor of the hands only. This class most naturally comes under 
the head of labor, but we include mental labor, as the hand is not 
more necessary to execute than the head to contrive, plan, and 
direct. Indeed, ii is questionable whether the labor of the muscle 
is more valuable to us as a people, than is that distinguishing 
characteristic of the American mind called genius, by whose skill 
new implements of husbandry, new modes of travel and transpor¬ 
tation, new machines for manufacturing, new steam power print¬ 
ing presses, new means of communication, swift as lightning be¬ 
tween distant parts of the world, are created, thus cheapening pro¬ 
duction, facilitating commerce, improving manufactures and in¬ 
creasing in a compound ratio all the comforts, conveniences and' 
luxuries of life. 
About a century ago, a Scotch mother, according to Sir Walter 
Scott, objected to her sons using a new fangled machine for sepa¬ 
rating the wheat from the chaff, thus impiously thwarting the will 
of divine providence, by raising the wind for her ladyship’s own 
use, by human art, instead of soliciting it by prayer; but now 
there are few Scotchmen or Americans who are unwilling to avail 
themselves of these labor saving machines. There is now and 
then one who is constantly saying “ things arn’t as they used to 
be,” and croaking about “ new fangled machines,” and saying,. 
“ there is nothing like the good old way.” But the good old way 
of going to mill on horseback with the corn in one end of the bag 
and a stone in the other end, when the oxen were compelled to> 
