The southerner., 1853-05-21
From the Razci:gA Star,
To the Citizens Of Raleigh and its
-<-. picinit1:

AS the corresponding Secretary of
the State Agricultural Society, I feel it
to be my duty to address you at this
time. You are aware that On the 18th
of last October, convention was held
in the city of Raleigh for the purpose of
forming a State Agricultural Society,
which, after a desperate effort, was ac-
complished. If allowed to judge from
the number present on that occasion, l
must come to the conclusion that the
people of Raleigh and Wake county felt
but little interest in the object of this
convention, and this [ think is the only
conclusion that can be arrived at in re-
gard to the feelings of the people of the
entire State. At this time the State
Agricultural Society of Virginia has
1862 members, with a fund of 81 400,
with fair prospect of its being increas-
ed in short time to s3,4O0. The
State Agricultural Society Of North
Carolina has about 35 members with a
fund Of about $75, with [ fear but little
prospect of its being much enlarge for
some time to come, if we arc to judge Of
the future by the past. Is not this a
sad picture for the people of our State
to look upon? 1t ought to make them
blush for shame to see that as people
we are so much wanting in State pride.
In almost every State north and south
of us, there is established State Agri-
cultural Society in successful operation
and holding annual Fairs. Even the
little State of Florida, sending only one
member to Congress, has an annual
Fair, proclaiming to her sister States
that though young she will not be left
behind. How much longer will our
people be content to behold North Car
DINA dragging along behind every other
State in point Of Agricultural advance
ment! The present degraded position
of Agriculture in our State cannot be
attributed to the natural poverty of our
lands or a want of means for enriching
those which have been exhausted by an
lmproVldent system of culture. But
the only cause that can be assigned for
this condition of things is want of en-
ergy on the part of our people. That
the holding of State Fair, under the
management of the State Agricultural
Society, would greatly encourage our
people to increased exertions, does not
admit Of a doubt, if We are to Judge from
the results of such exhibitions in other
States.
That Raleigh is the most suitable 10
cation in the State for holding a State
Fair is equally true, in order that thu
farmers and mechanics in various parts
Of the State may have fair opportuni
ty for presenting specimens Of their in
dustry. These two questions settled
the next and very important one, toe
is how, and by whom are the funds t
be raised, in order to make the necessa
ry preparations for the holding of th
Fair-A short time since writer i
line haleigh Register" suggested tina
the people of Raleigh raise fund 9
$4,000, purchase the grounds, erect TIL
buildings, and make them present t
the Society for the holding of their an
nual Fairs. This, in my opinion, is tn
proper plan for, raising such a fund a
may be required for this purpose 1t
the plan pursued by the people of thos
cities, in other States, where these e,
hbitions are held. The amount whic
would be required in the beginnin
Would Would not, think, be as much as S.
WV; the preparations could be made fc
'p''oOO at farthest, though there woul
nave to be yearly an addition to th
Enclosure made, as the interest in th
.@%tter Increased in. the State. View
~ 1t alone as matter of speculation