The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-04
MISCELLANY.
a N ADDR e SIS.

Delivered before the South Carolina Inst;
tute, at Charleston, april II, 1855, b,
Hon. JAMES L. Orr.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: This is ar
occasion of lively interest to the city O
Charleston, as we'll as to the State of South
carolina. The commodious building VIC
occupy has been erected by their united
ilocrallty, and is now dedicated to devclop.
ing the mechanic arts, and the agricultural
Industry OF South Carolina. Its giant tim.
bers groan beneath the weight of their com.
olned productions brought and exhibited
here rs tangible proofs Of superior skill in
their varied departments contest the
prizes offered by your lberaliy, and to
stimulate still higher perfection in useful
and ingenious labor. The mechanic is here,
the artisan is here, the manufacturer is here,
and here Is the farmer and planter, and
here too are the fair daughters of Carolina,
the noble matron, and the blooming dam
sei-alt are here to tender you their offer
ings OF industry, of skill, Of artistic taste.
Their contributions not only charm the eye,
but gladden. the heart of all WHO feel a
proper solicitude in the progress and per-
manent prosperity Of our much cherished
commonwealth.
The founders Of the Institute have achicy-
cd triumph which comedies their secacity
and public spirit, and may justly congratu-
late themselves on the eminent success of
their praiseworthy experiment, when they
see around, arranged in faultless order, the
various works, fabrics, and inventions,
for supplying mans wants and ministerinc
to his comforts.
n new era has dawned on the produc-
tive energies and capabilities of South Car
DINA, and through the determined enterprise
OF her patriotic citizens, she will 90 hand
IN hand withthe foremost, in this progress
i've advance in national development. May
the sun OF her prosperity never set
Agricultural Fairs for long while have
been no novelties in this country or in Eu-
rope, and the quality and quantity of its
productions have doubtless been sensibly
augmented by the knowledge impaired, and
the spirit Of rivalry awakened among Agri-
culturaists. Within the last thirty years,
however, the initiative has been taken in the
United States, Of encouraging the mechan-
&c arts, by the organization of Mechanic In
sttutes, and adding to the exhibition and
comparison of mechanic labor, lectures on
such practical and scientific subjects, as edu-
Gated the artisan and mechanic in his pro-
fcssiou. Wherever the policy has been
adopted, the results have been most gratify-
ing in the social elevation and enlighten-
ment of this numerous and useful class of
society, and we may confidently assume
that Charleston and the State will be most
bounteously rewarded for their patronage of
this Institute in the professional, social and
intellectual elevation of the mechanic, and
the citizen in general.
Great Britain at the Worlds Fair in Lon
don, has not only eclipsed all former exhi-
bitions, but through her patronage Of that
Fair, has accomplished more in stimulating
mechaic skill-in giving greater impetus to
the inventive genius of her subjects, and in
lm,narting thought and knowledge in the
arts ana agriculture, than all the acts of her
Parliament for iiS!f century.
Her example was followed by this coun-
try, but with results far less satisfactory.
And yet the Crystal Palace at New York
has accomplished good. The paintings,
statuary, and machinery, were visited by
thousands; they were observed, studied, crit
cised, and many useful ideas were impressed
on the elastic minds of our countrymen,
which may in future be fully developed to
the permanent advantage of this great coun-
try.
An imposing exhibition, after the London
model, is projected for this year at Paris
under the immediate patronage Of the En-.
peror. 1t is not merely the pageant tina,
prompts him. He' has the sagacity to avail
himself Of the occasion, to spread out BE-
fore bis subjects their own productions o
artistic and mechanical skill, and the fines,
specimens and models of ingenious work
'manship in all the countries Of the civilized
world. Will not the generous rivalry Incl
ted, and the information attained by his sub
.jects, amply reimburse the small nationa
outlay for its construction and inauguration
Such facts prove, the deep interest taken
10y these three principal nations in fostering
and promoting every variety Of mechanica
industry, and nearly all the governments O
society rs well as these, have manifested ,
like solicitude by cofnerring franchises on in
yentors, allowing them the exclusive use aos
monopoly Of new inventions by letters Pat
ent for series of years. Nor can their 80
ilicitude awaken surprise, when we conside
the vast amount of labor employed, othe
than agriculturalSin supplying thes natura
;and acquired wants of, The human family.
Dr.. Ure, in his invaluable Dictionary q
ARTS, Manufactures and Mines, defines or
,eratiye industry to be ''to produce, ,transforn
and distribute, all such material pbjscts a
are suited to satisfy the wants of n1arkina