New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-10-01
GEN PIERCE At HARRISBURG.
A PRESIDENTIAL DISCOURSE.

GkESIDENllaL IIOOOOhOBs
The Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania having
invited Gen. Pierce TO be present at the State Fair, lie
went TO Harrisburg on Wednesday last. On visiting
she Fair the President Of the Society, James GOwan,
Eco, welcomed him in an official speech, 10 which
Gen. Pierce replied as follows:
Nothing could be more agreeable than the circum-
stances under which for the frst me visit this To-
Caty which beside being the governmental center, is
the center Of the population aud wealth OF the great
agricultural State OF Pennsylvania. My journey hher
bas been full of interest particularly attracted,
~ entered the valley near the boundary of your
State raversed by silver streams beautifully skrted
by green foliage with here and there The tnts OF early
Autumn but vet more impressed as the broader valley
of the Susduehanna opened upon us with fertile helds
on ether side with the picturesque gap OF the North
Mountain with the Blue Mountain IN the distance,
presenting sketch of almost unrvaled Doldness and
beauty. And now Sir, what shall say OF the gra-
ooue manner IN which IL has been your pie ssure 10 re-
ceive me in behalf of the Pennsylvania State Agrlcul
tural Society | am deeply moved and deeply srate
fuI Ii n gratifying to witness on any ccaslon
such reureeentaton OF the PATRIOTISM, intelligence,
industry and moral and religious tone OF powerful
Commonwealth which recognizes no distinctions
nmons s citizens but those which merit ana worm III
fer but especially inspiring s such scene as thls,
whore the yeOmanIy-eDgr0ssed curing the year III
Their own pu suits, living upon their own acres cuiu-
waiting Their own soil, experimenting inc interests VI
ther own domain-hOnest, thoughtful, reiec'lhS-'u;
much SECLUDED by the very nature OF their NOBLE anu
linden, ndont VOCATION have come together Tor PETER
smrpesc than 10 criticize and condemn the sentiments
and op ions of Others. Passion and prejudice are eiI
behind 10 day Social spirit, just judgment and kind
emotions rule the hour You have come 10 examine
aud compare the productions, the stock and
inter- ils of Your neighDOrs not TO lind iaulJ with
them but to improve Jour own ano l, ny your
invitation. have come down among you 10 enjoy the
ccasiOn and with YOU 10 be grained ana instructed.
n remark able fact that in this country where pup
Tic law imposes restraint upon labor or innocent ~
verson have fewer holidays than any portion oil the
oh Ca gTInpR a
aspect and with our present knowledge OF their pIact-
cal importance the only matter OF sur Prise Is hat socle
ties like yous not ear her established ana tha they
ARE not now more generally encouraged. Men Gu
yaped ia the other great interests of commerce ano
manufactures are, from the nature OF ther pursuits
brought together III cities and dense communities, ana
independert of their chambers OF commerce ana coTpo
rate arr snpemeuts have almost daily and hourly H.
tercOurse. There is with them communal commune
cation Of thoughts aud interchange OF sentiments anu
opinions Material facts are elected and commune
Gated with Geographic rapidly. Are not these Ell
yaltages most important TO the two great natohal III
teresis to which l have adverte0 Como tney
thrive without them! Are they not indeed, mas
penslble What but tbs interchange OF thought
rivalry if You please, OF genius and invention has
whteEed every sea with your canvass Nhat Dsl
this let me ask the distinguished gentlemen turning
TO the Hon. j. Z. Kennedy standing near me upon
the PLATFORM who recently presided over tne Navy De
has made your ships as staunch ana sw as
INV which pillow the waves of the ocean what out
ths has given velocity TO your spinoes and Psrec
ton TO Your fabrics which enable American Hahuiac
lures 10 compete successfully with the ciVhAei worn
And vet let it be remembered you pursuit OF az
ricnlturc is the basis the foundation, the only sure
annnort of both the others Without II, their smut
III wolld cease, and their ships would decay az
their moonngs Alvey short crop Throughout America
for sun lie year would not only cripple AL TIC o'ie
interests but would seriously Affect the commerce o.
tie wore. The Agricul,urallSts hteraiy leeo auu
furnish the material OF clothing 70 our busy miohs
nj houe snd hasten 10 supply the urgent wants Vi SUI
lerng uulltudes abroad when tire voice OF l"ulsniy
comes 20 you over the ocean. Inc Cui'N"'Vi Vi 10
so who does OF realize these things lives unt ehscsou
Of the true dignity of h.s calling WHIST sgncul1ral
soce lee have aocompshed< cannot De compu'eu' o"'
4 thi II safe to say that in EXAMINATIONS aAd COM
paTisOIs Instituted such occasions as the present.
IN respect to the cultivation and gathering oI crops
the ts of the farmers have been clearly disclosed
Invention has been stimulated, and the needed ma
shine prpctss CHEMICAL combination has beol DIS
covered and produced to supply tie want. Ia
ppopo,tion 10 the numbers occupied, the science Of
sQnculture is doubtless better understood, Gnd the
at more ekillfuDy practiced in some parts Of tle
ala world than in this, the new; bat we are on the
march impeed by the eDer gies OF young aud free
peope with state A. riculturh SOcleues leading the
way, and they who Will maintain the advance must
content themselves with no Flow movements Me All
while we may regard with Just satisfaction our I'M
movement in machinery and utensils spphcablo TO
Ausbandry, some Of which have gained such dstln-
yuished consideration az the great exhibitions 10 Eng
land and France. Your vast territory, your cent al
1osiiiop yoLr climate your SOIL your i3clltles lor
REACHING the great commercial mas the bounc ess IT,
Sources of yOur mineral wealth contributing 10 your
general power, impose upon The sterling pORuiauou Va
e state the duty of taking the lead IN pracll-
cal industry and in agricultural art and science:
Nature and the events Of history have imposed
npon YOU In these respects, and In Others respon'
abilities which Under the Providence of God, can
test upon no other State You. my countrymea OIL