Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-20
THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION

FRIDAY MORNING, EEB'K 30.
THE AGRICULTURAL CONVENTION
This body. composed of Virginia farmers as
sembled yesterday morning at II o'clock IN the
room over the Methodist Book concern i'll this
city. Mr.. Willoughby Newton, of Westmore-
land county, was chosen to preside Temporarily
over its deliberations. After. the appoint
ment of the appropriate committees, the meeting
adjourned to meet at four o'clock in the evening
at the Capitol. We refer to a more detailed &C
count of the proceedings published in another
column of this paper. As their deliberations
progress, we shall continue to devote to them a
share of our attention.
We greet with hearty good will this gather
ing of our farmers. They have in view whatwe
consider to be- an object of vital importance, the
advancement of the agricultural interests OF the
commonwealth. Those who look upon this
movement as one intended to secure only the
welfare of the individuals who compose this
Convention, take but narrow and incomplete
view of the occasion. Whilst it is plain that
where the public prosper, individuals, who are
but It's iiittSC eiAi'St 'AAN
gentlemen now assembled have, we doubt not,
at heart higher purpose. 1t must never be for
gotten that the immediate fruits OF this success
full enterprise, and we will not allow ourselves
to doubt its success, will be by the creation O
new values to add to the taxable capacity OF oul
people, 1t is in this aoise point of view that we
wish to present this movement. 1t is no plan tt
reap prime gain; that will be an accompanying
vantage, though not Its private object. Presen
ting well digested plan of agricultural I'M
provement to the Legislature, the Convention
upon the broad ground of public good, will de-
mand, and we doubt not, will receive the aid Of
Government.
Fortunately for the welfare of Virginia the
farmers can control legislative action. All that
they need is concert of action. In England
conspicuous for the bulk of her cities, the peo-
nile of the rural districts have ceased to govern
the measures of parliament. The government
has passed under the control of the urban popu-
lation. We have recently seen the effect OF this
IN the sacrifice of the interests of agriculture
to the cupidity of the cities. But Virginia for
tunately is in a reverse condition, and the coun-
try people have it yet in their power to control
their own destinies 1t is we'll for men to con-
slider their power when engaged in so laudabe
an undertaking that which occupies the
thoughts of this Convention.
The light of science has but recently dawned
upon the agricultural world and revealed to our
mortified gaze its depressed condition in Viz
ginia. Nothing can redeem it but an extensive,
nay universal, diffusion of knowledge. When
science guides the plough and prepares the land,
new era will dawn upon us.
We entertain, from the character of the men
who compose this Convention, the liveliest hopes
of its regenerating influence. When the roll OF
those in attendance was called, we heard names
that are safe guaranty that this Convention
will be fruit-bearing tree.
1t well becomes us to-day, it would well
become us at any time, to single out Mr. Ed
mund Ruffin, of Hanover. He will be present
to assist the deliberations of the Convention with
his thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its
ramifcations and departments Mr. Ruffin is
well known and well appreciated by every far
mer in the State. He deserves our grateful
thanks for the services which he has already
rendered. His independent and sagacious mind,
breaking loose from the moorings of prejudice,
long since embarked upon the sea of agricultur-
al experiment. He has brought to light new
principles and devised new applications of old
principles Such has been his success in the
paths of discovery that he deserves to be hailed
as the Columbus of Agriculture.