The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-02
The Presidents Visit 10 the pennsyxvanla
Agricultural Fair-Mr. Pierce's speech.

Prom the harrisburg Union, Sept I'll
mia Agricultural Society Presiden. Pierce left Washing
ton Wednesday morning. the 10Th of September, and
after rapid and agreeable trip reached Harrisburg a.
rably ne and the whole excursion lied with plea
SAINT incidents. At Baltimore the Hon. j. +. Kennedy,
President Of the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad,
ecre ary OF the Navy under the administration Of Mr.
Fllnore,) Hon. Joshua Vansant representative in the
last Congress Of the Baltimore district Hon. L. K Bowen,
R. NJ Magraw, Esq, and Zenos Barnum, Esq., Joined the
President and his party At York they were met by the
committee from Harrisburg Governor VIM. Biger, on the
part Of the Agricultural Society and John S,,sg
the state, the President received by deputation
from the Agricultural Society, and committee Of ci-
gems the midst OF great Of citizens and visiers
Among those the stand with the President we no.
ticed his Exceiiency James Pollock Governor Of the
Judges Black, I0wre and Knox, Of the Supreme Court
Hon. Arnold Plnmer, democratic candidate for Canal
Commissioner; Canal Commissioner Hopkins, Auditor
General Banks, Surveyor General Brawey in uding the
gentlemen in the suite Of the pfesdent Sidney Webster
Esq., his private Secretary Acting Commissioner Of
Patents, 5 s. shugers; Hon J. Clancy Jones' Of Penn, Penn
ington Union, Mr.. Sullivan and others
Order having been restored, JAMES GowAN, ESQ, Pres
dent Of the Pennsyvana Agricultural Society," addressed
The President proceeded to reply in clear rapid dis
tinct and manly tones II Is impossible describe tho
effect produced by his style aud his language. Large
tho crowd was there not who could not
distinctly hear what the President said The following
that the sentiments he proclaimed are such
as will be responded to by patriotic citizens
The President of the United States replied in substance
Nothing could be agreeable than the circum-
stances under which, for the first time visit this local.
IT, which besides being the CENTRE Is the
centre Of the population and wealth of the great agrcu
tura State ofPennsyvana My journey hither has been
full Of interest was particularly attracted as en-,
tered the valley the boundary ofyour State aversed
by silver streams beautifully skrted by green foliage
with here and there the tins of early autumn but yet
impressed the broader valley Of the Susqneanna
opened upon US, with fertile fields either side, with
the picturesque gap of the North Mountain, with
the Blue Mountain in the distance, presenting
sketch of almost unrivalled holiness and beauty.
And now, sir, what shall ! say of the gracious
manner in which 1t has been your pleasure to re-
ceve me in behalf of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural
Society am deeply moved and deeply grateful. II is
gratifying to witness any OCCASION such representa-
ton Of the patriotism, intelligence industry, and high
moral and religious tone of powerful Commonwealth
which recognizes distinctions among its citizens but
those which merit and worth confer But especially in
spring Is such this, where the yeomanryen
crossed during the year their pursuits living upon
their acres cultivating their SOIL superinend
ing the interests Of their own dornain-honest thought
full reiectingbut much secluded by the very nature OF
their noble and independent vocation, have come
together for better purpose than TO critcise
and condemn the sentiments and opinions of others
Passion and prejudice left behind to-day. Social sp
rit, just judgment and kind emotions rule the hour
You have to examine and compare the productions
the stock and utensils of your neghbors not to find fault
with them butte improve your own; ana by your IN
vitation have among you to enjoy the occasion,
and with 10 be gratihed and instructed. is re-
arkable fact that in this country where public law im
poses restraint upon labor innocent DIVERSION we
have fewer holidays than any portion of the civilized
world. Such gatherings useful in social aspect,
and with present knowledge Of their practical m
portancc the only matter ofsurprise Is that societies Ike
yours were not earlier established and that they not
now more generally encouraged. Men engaged In the
other great interests Of commerce and manufactures are
from the nature OF their pursuits brought together in
cities and dense communities and In dependent of their
chambers Of commerce and corporate have
almost daily and hourly intercourse. There is with them
q n q s re eetsa
and communicated with Geographic rapidity Are not
these advantages most important to the two great ma
toDa interests 10 which have adyerted? Could they
thrive without theY Are they not indeed indispensa
bier What but this interchange Of thought, rivalry it
You please Of genius and invention, has whtened every
with your canvassY What but this let ask the
distinguished gentleman Cunning to Hon. j. p Kennedy
standing upon the platform, who recently pre-
sided the Navy Department. has made your ships
staunch and swift any which plough the Of the
ocean, What but this has given velocity to your spin
dies and perfection to your fabrics which enable Anne
rcan manufacturers TO compete successfully with the
civilized wordY And yet let II be remembered your pur
suit OF agriculture is the basis the foundations the only
sure support Of both the others Without 1t their shut
ties would cease and their ships would decay their
moorngs. very short crop Throughout America for
single would not only cripple all the other interests
but it would seriously affect the Of the world
The agrieulturaists literally feed and furnish the mate
rial OF clothing to busy millions at home, and hasten
supply the urgent wants of suffering multtudes abroad
when the voice of huma nifty to you the
The cultivator of the soil who does not realize these
things lives unconscious Of the true dignity OF his
calling What agricultural societies have accom-
plishcd cannot be computed but / think 1t safe
to say that in examinations and comparisons in
sued on such occasions the present in respect
the cultivation aud gathering OF crops the wants Of the
farmer have been clearly disclosed invention has been
stimulated and the needed machine process chemical
combination has been discovered and produced to supply
the want. In proportion TO the numbers occupied
science Of agriculture is doubtless better understood aud
world than in this, the new; but the march,
mpelled by the energies OF young and free people With
State agricultural societies leading the way and they
who will maintain the advance must content themselves
with no slow movements. Meanwhile may regard
with just satisfaction improvement in machinery and
utensils applicable to husbandry, of which nave
gained such distinguished consideration at the great
hbitions in England and France. Your vast territory,
your central position, your climate, your soil your IA
cities for reaching the great commercial marts, the
boundless fyour mineral wealth, contributing
to your general power impose npon the sterling popula
ton OF the Keystone State the duty OF taking the lead in
practical husbandry and in agricultural and science
Nature and the events Of history have imposed upon
in these respects, and others responsibilities which
under the Providence of God rest upon other State
You my countrymen Of Pennsylvania tue the po-
ica centre of this glorious Union of States in which
you impregnabe empire, ont Of which you would
he an empire doomed to woe distraction and decay.
How these your grave responsibilities to be met How
are these your solemn duties TO be discharged II
this noble arch Of liberty hall be undermined, shall
crmbe the crash Of the keystone win be the most fear
full and falkland Il ought to be. never touch
the soil OF Pennsylvania without nvountariy recurring
TO the stirring incident. Of her history which instead OF
being shaded obseured by time inevitably years
ri on to be brought out in stronger clearer and more
glorious light Within her borders the Declaration OF
independence drafted signed and proclaimed 10 the
world. To the memorable convention of the United Colo
MES the c5h Of June 1770 she declared through her
delegates met in provincial conference In favor Of ALSO
Lutte separation from the mother country. Within
her borders the constitution under which live
framed adopted and signed by the Father q his
try and those Associates whose patriotic labors,
like his own, will never be forgotten. though sigma
lures may fade aud parchments perish Oh how boun-
TRULY have the uncalculating courage and personal
scrces Of the fathers been requed 10 the children by
the countless blessings which that constitution
has lavshly conferred 10 not, my feiow-cizens,
convert II to purposes not embraced in it, design. no
not depart from the strict construction OF Its granted
powers which has secured such harmonious action and
a degree Of progress happiness and security, socially
and politically Of which the history Of nations furnishes
example DO not Tor moment indulge the desire
harbor the thought that you may enjoy the privileges
which the constitution couers without according to
each and every OF the sister States of the coniedea
ton all the rights and mmunities which II designed to
secure to them. As honorable you cannot do ii.
So long you content 70 live under the compact
maintain II sacredy in all its parts Ia its letter and in its
spirit Without cheerful. practical obedience to all
its obligations the keystone firmly IL be
80 A.iax - - u -.