Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-11-10
COMMUNICATION.
SPEECH OF ACHILLES ID. JOHNSON,
Before The Central agricultural Sociefg and He-
rhoaics' Institute, Of Lynchburg, on the PIN
Oef0ber 1896


rb"nics' Institute, Of Lyncbburg, on The 27th
October, 1896.
Mr. President and Gentlemen In my anti
cpation, ot the pcs It occasion, have regard
ed II a. the development of one of the most n,por-
tan efforts ever made by the people Of ibis IL
cinltN, 10 improve then individual interests, and
elevate their so cal condilion.--l have looked 10
II, expecting to witness Il strong expression of the
purposes and objects OF an institution, which may
in the gradual cXc else aud disclosures of its encr-
gcs, become cmnenllv beneficial, not only 10 lis
members, but to all those embraced within the
sphere OF lis mlluencc,--au mslitulion which has
for its incentive the hope, AMI for lis object no
thing less than the actual enjoyment of moral
power and intelligence increased, and of public
aud private wealth promotcd-an institution in
whose operations all the members of the con,rnn-
nifty which it proposes to represent, alike inter
eSted-thc rich is we'll as the pour--lhc merchant
aud tralesman as we'll as the proprietor of land and
the farm laborer Other societies have been in
Stituted among for benev lent aud religious pur-
poses, and we have Witnessed their bcngnani IN
ucncc. They have found sufficient favor with the
public, and zeal in individual philanthropy, not
only Ia dispense their blessings in their yicnagc,
but to send them abroad into distant lands, opera
ting like an unknown agent to the temporal
and eternal happiness of the poor and degraded
IEey have not asked in vain for the public pat
ronaac. They have lived through years of con
linnancc, triumphant over every difficulty mciden
10 the progress OF such Institutions, and are still
the objects Of the especial regard Of generous
and enlightened public. Yet the persons compo-
sing them have had no direct personal interest in
teir operations, other tlIan That OF III" gid''hea-
lion oil Il CHRISTIAN and benevolent conscience
Shall this soclriv then, be suffered to Gngusil.
and languisn2r, 'oQr,b by ;tl sd tcl te'''sent pun
lie which combine, u is elements every feeling
which aspires 10 noble r9ls and phllanthroplc
deeds Proposing as II does, to rot only effect
the same great results which appcrta.g 10 Other
associations, but also to promote the mora, ara
ph, happiness and prosperity of each and
every individual belonging To it to improve
our own domestic condition. while we are gath
cred ar ound our Gre SIDES enjoying or enduring
our private feelings and tortvng them against the
cares and ills of life and to elevate our moral
power and respeciabilily abroad while We extend
our transactions for private or the general good ;
shall it dissolve for the want OF public feeling in its
hrhalf! Shall we, at the very threshold of our
useuness,-nav, shall we ever turn our eyes from
the noble and beneiccnt ends we have in view
from the necessities for Improvements which pre-
sent themselves on every hill and vail y of our
country-and our ears from that mingled voice
of honorable scll-inlcrest AID patriotism and mo-
IdtN, winch CRIES 10 lis II m our abused sol -
voking us to deeds ofreeeneralcd life and live aud
die with the smallest piuancc for ourlahor. and with
slavsh poverty consianrdt to our children! Mr. Pre-
sident there can be bui one answer to this signif
cant question. No. | see 1t written on every
countcnance, and engraved in tadccsS characters,
ms trust, on every lip. see IT resolved in eve
nv smile before me, which e,nccs the dctcrmina-
ton of all as well other citizens as members, to
cherish this institution, as a tasmanic germ of a
new prosperity and a new lie as the bencficcnt
organ through which the moral and physical means,
so bountifully bestowed by "A guardian Prov-
dence, is TO operate to exaltaIon in the scale
of being.
1t has been Obj ected to the continuance of this
Society, that towns OF the magnitude of this, are
unfavorabe to such institutions, from their conf
mcrciaI character +; and that the people of this
place, in particular, were too much devoted 10
the pursuits of trade, 10 Join us extensively in
the prosecution of our great and good enterprise
Where are the nnmerous-the hundred associa-
lions of like character, which have been institl-
ted throughout the broad expan>e of our coun-
try, and are dispensing their blessings IN their
various communities, to the advancement Of
every interest They are i'll Petersburg, in
Fredcricksh urg, IN charlottesville IN NUchcS
ter, in Washineton, in Baltimore, in Philn-
delphia, in New York, in Albany and in
Boston, and the many other cmporlums of
trade, whose commercial transactions, 10 ours,
would measure the century to the unit. Where
are The Merchants, the Mechanics OF this place,
who have slept forward already in contribution to
this Society, and who promise yet TO aid II, by their
enorocs and their money, in tcn-fold ratio