Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-26
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION

Smithsonian Institute, in this city, and was organ
lied by calling Judge FREDERICK WATTS, of Penn
sylyania, temporarily to the chair, and by appoint
ing RICHARD s. MERCER, of Maryland, and Dr.
DANIEL LEE, of Georgia, Secretaries.
A roll of the States was then called, to ascertain
the number and names of delegates representing the
various Agricultural Societies of each State, when
it was found that there were present
From New Hampshire, eight delegates; from Vermont,
three; from Massachusetts,, twenty-five; from Rhode
Island three from Connecticut, four; from New York;
twenty from New Jersey two from Pennsylvania, fye;
from Delaware six from Maryland twenty three; from
Virginia. ten from North Carolina one from Louisiana,
two from Ohio, twelve; from Kentucky, two from Ten
nessee, three; from Indiana one; from Illinois, two;
from Arkansas, one; from Michigan four from Texas,
one from Wisconsin, two from the District OF Column
bia eleven making the total number Of delegates pre-
sent 151 representing twenty States and Territories
On motion a committee of seven members appoint
ed to nominate permanent officers for the Convention.
The committee having retired during the brief interval
that interviewed communication laid before the Con-
vention from Mr. McCoRacK, the inventor of the Vir
sana reaper inviting witness the exhibit
ton Of his machine at Giesborough.
On motion Of Mr.. TALE, of New Hampshire, the CON-
muncaton refe red committee Of three, consist
ing of Mr.. Hale, of N. H. Mr. johnson, of N Y, and
Mr. Jessup, Of Pa.
Mr.. KING, of Rhode Island from the committee ap
pointed to nominate permanent officers for the Conven
ton, submitted the following nominations
For President-MARsHALL P. WILDER of Mass
For Viee Presdents-Henry Wager, ofN. Y; Frederick
Watts, of Pa. Charles B. Calvert, of Md VIM Hun
ter, Of Ohio; George w. Nesmth, Of N. H.; John ID.
Throckmorton, of Va. H. X. Burgwyn, OF n G.; /. j.
Rusk, of Texas; James Duane Doty, of Wis
For Secrefares-William s. King, of R. l. B. p john
son. N. Y. J. A. Warder, of Ohio; J. D. B. DeBow of
louisiana:
The report having been unanimously accepted
Mr.. WILDER amidst much applause; took the chair,
and addressed the Convention as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention: will not interrupt the
of this body by any extended remarks from
the chair but cannot forbear to tender to you my
heartfelt gratitude for the honor you have conferred
upon in selecting to preside over your delibera
tions-an honor which is connected with pursuit which
has ever laid my heart.
Permit also to express my great qualification that
there many members representing the agr
cultural interest Of this great Repubc-some gentlemen
coming from different and distant parts of the Union at
great personal sacrifice but whether from the North
the South the East the West extend to each of you
the hand Of fellowship, and greet you as brothers in
common cause
Gentlemen we come here with no sinister motives we
have political arguments TO advance; we have
onal party purposes promugate but here for
more important purposes We here to advance art
coeval with the existence of the human which
employs eighteen millions of population, and four
ffths Of all the capital in fair landau art which lies
at the very foundation of national and individual pros
pery and wealth, the basis of commerce. of manufac-
lures and of industrial pursuits We agricultural
people habits, dispositions are rural. rejoice
that is SO, and pray that may ever continue to be
Our country embraces every variety of SOIL and is
capable Of producing of the products of the tod and
temperate zones and with application of science
to this art and wise division of labor with proper Gov
ernmental aid there is why American agricu
may sustain competition with that of any other
nation of tho sivilized globe.
The progress of agriculture, you all know, gentle
men has been slow In the United States but new era
has commenced. The old systems of cult
walton which have been followed by father and son, and
from generation to generation 10 be swept away
and science is to take its place in aid of honest industry
! rejoice gentlemen, that live at this day; rejoice
that the seed planted by the immortal Washington and
which has been watered by thousands of other eminent
agriculturiss is taking root and that live in
day to realize of the proud results of their hopes
Much Of the progress which has been attained in
country is the result Of individual enterprise aided by the
agricultural press but the great motive power is
federated action is associated effort Gentlemen have
met this occasion TO avail ourselves Of this powerful
impetus At period in the history of our country has
there been such assembly collected for the purpose Of
considering those objects for which brought oge-
Their and there has been opportunity which is favor
able TO the interests Of the farmer.
Permit me again, gentlemen to tender you my thanks
for the distinction you have conferred upon and say
that in the Of deliberations may with your
permission, participate in your debates Applause.
Mr.. HOLMAN, of Delaware moved that committee
be appointed to prepare form Of constitution for the or
gan1aton Of United States Agricultural Society and
report such other business the Convention as may
properly claim atentionsaid committee to consist Of
one member from each State.
Mr.. GQwES, Of Pennsylvania said that q motion had
been made to appoint committee to draft constitution
for society which had yet been formed Ii had not
yet been decided to the expediency Of organizing
United States Agricultural Society 1t would be better
first take into consideration whether or il was
pedient TO form such society His own impression
that such action not expedent and he decided
ly Of opinion that United States Agricultural Society
could not be maintained
Mr. Wars, of Pennsylvania submitted few remarks
TO his understanding Of the motions pending.
Judge DOUGLAS, Of Illinois, supposed that the Conven
ton assembled with the understanding that they would
form United States Agricultural Society," and
act such other business in their opinion the interests
OF agriculture throughout the country might require IT.
however 1t was an open and doubtful question whether
national society should be formed the adoption of the
motion pending would settle the question: for il affirmed
that such society should be formed and the committee
proposed TO be appointed TO form a constitution for
its lie submitted that the committee should
be composed OF member from each State
here, for the that this National Convention
and each State should have in the committee ne
well as the floor. Applause. He hoped they would
Marshall with the distinct understanding that its adop
ton would be decision that national society was to be
formed and that constitution to be reported by the
committee it was now proposed TO appoint
Mr.. JOHN L. TAYLOR Of Ohio, thought that they had
met for the purpose Of forming National Agricultural
Society He would be compelled 10 leave the Con-
venon TO attend TO his duties in Congress- and he saw
many members around him who similarly situated
and who knew that there bill pending in the House
Of Representatives more important than the election Of