Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-11-09
Virginia Agricultural Address.

The opening adde's at the Virginia AgTicullu.
raj Faii, Richmond, was delivered on Wednesday
morning by the Hon. William Ballard Preston,
formerly secretary Of the Navy. Ills production
Of great interest," elaborate but not tedlousj pre-
sentng. eTeaIonoy Of encouraging facts, eOuched
10 glowing and affective language. TIE subjOin.
cd paragraph gives graphic and iuspinng view OF
the resources Of the Old Dominion.
"a kind and bounliful Providence hns blessed
Ust an extent unsurpassed. Situated in the heart
Of the ConfedtTacy, Virginia embraces within her
limits an extent OF territory greater than any OF
the original members Of the Union. Rronting on
the Atlantic coast, her regions fully diversified
with hills and valleys, mOuniOnS and plains, TINT
reach 10 the Tennessee and Ohio OIL our western
border. Her climate Is mild aud genial, enabling
our people 10 pursue their labor IN the open nir for
longer periods than almost any on the continents
subject 10 no extreme ViciSsudeS OF cold OF heat
wnieEsd with abundant showers during the whole
years maturing the crops ils soil produces wilITa-
pidlly, certainly. and perfection; adapted 10 The
growth Of corn, wheat tobacco, vegetables, all the
CEREALS common 10 temperate climalesj with fruits
and flowers in perfection and beauty; with bays,
rivers ard fountains UnSuTpaSSedi and, as the Tv-
sqltolsel, blessing our people with health, VisOr'
and longevity"
In the concluding sentences Mt. Preston gives
council Eat wiser than that which too often flows
from the pen and lips OF the politician and the
paniEsn. He suggests happily how Virginia may
attain tue independence by CuItiyating the quail
ties Of neutrality-suspicious. and self-Feliance, and
how she may acquire glory greater than that pro-
iucrd by the clash Of aims OF the ClOngOr Of The
battle field:
"0uI resources, omT capital, Our labor uTe alum.
lnnI aud adequate 10 supply our wants. DiveISi.
fy your occupation as you diversity your crops LOT
StcurltY and profit. Bring the agEiculluTalisl, the
Mechanic, the manufacturer 81 e by side, and in.
cIesss the profits on The labor Of all. Shall We
lie told lhut tie habits and opinions Of cur people
aTeoppOsel to il, that the experience Of the past
finds 1t better and cher per 10 purchase them from
the NoTlhl Genlemtn,lhe painful experience CG
The present is beginning 10 Tell tale not yet fully
revealed II begins TO tell OF obligations violated
OF anarchy and confusion. II is teaching the les.
sonsof self dependence and sell reliance, II is
teaching lie South 10 look 10 Tie South Let
Is then resort to our own mines, our rivers, uIT
workshops aud GaCtt TisS, and our OW n people, Lei
stand on tue banks OF the James, OF the Apo.
iummaX, the Shenandoah, tue Roanoke, the OliU,
AMI make lhem at our command and bidding do
Tie labor OF Ten THOUSAND hands. When you do
These things, then indeed viii you have improved
your agricultural condition; then you will huve Sc
cured permanent Prosperity and IepoSei them aud
moi until then, will you have established com'
meIce on yOuT own shores and in your own hnrbOli
then will you hpYe at your command the treasures
VI the land and The iteasuIes OF the sea-" at'