Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-02
From the Harrisburg pa Patriot aud uioa Il
Sept ~
The President % tho Uniasd states az the
Agrlc altural Exhibition.

\ Agric aiturai Exhibition.
la response 10 the earnest invitation Of the
Pennsylvania Agricultural Society, President
Pierce leil Washington on Wednesday morning,
the 10Th Of September, and after rapid and
agreeable trip, reached Harrisburg al II O'Clock
on the same day. The weather was incoinpar-
ably fine, and tho whole excursion was filed with
pleasant incidents. Crowds of citizens greeted
the President with enthusiasm al the various
points along tho route At Baltimore the Hon.
J. f. Kennedy, President of the Baltimore aud
Susquehanna Railroad, (Secretary Of the Navy
under the administration Of Mr.. Filmore,) Hon.
Joshua Vansant, representative in the last Con
gress of the Baltimore district, Hon. l.. h.
Bowen, X. Nj. Magraw, Esq, and Zenos Barnum,
ESD, joined the President and his party. At
York they were met by the committee from fiar-
risburg, Gov VIM. Bger, on the part of the
Agricultural Society, and John H. Briggs, Esq,
President of the Councils. Arrived at the capt.
tai of the State, the President was received by a
deputation from the Agricultural Society, and a
committee of citizens, in tho midst of great
mass of citizens and visitors.
After partaking of lunch at Buehler's hotel,
(his headquarters,) the President proceeded to
the exhibition grounds, escorted by the officers
and guests of the Agricultural Society, and by a
large procession. The streets were lined with
spectators, among whom were many beautiful
ladies, and the distinguished guest was repeat
eddy cheered along the route. Arrived ut the OK
hibtion grounds, which were already occupied
by thousands of citizens, and presented gay
and animated appearance; dotted rs they were
with the booths of the exhibitors, decorated
] tents, and the numerous implements of agricul-
ture and husbandry; the President and his suite
were received on the platform prepared for their
reception, by the Officers of the Society. A most
interesting spectacle was now presented. The
people from all parts Of the State, including many
of the most prominent citizens Of both parties,
gathered around the Chief Magistrate in great
| numbers; the ladies', in carriages and in the sur
rounding tents and booths; the platform crowded
with distinguished gentlemen in the various de-
partments of the State government; bright sun
and a bracing breeze; contributed to present
| scene which is not often witnessed.
| Among those on the stand with the President
we noticed his Excellency James Pollock, Gov
ernor Of the State, and his Cabinet Elk Govern
/
knox, of the Supreme Court Hon. Arnold Plu-
mer, Democratic candidate for Canal Commits
sioner, Canal Commissioners Hopkins, Auditor
General Banks, Surveyor General Brawley, in
Guiding the gentlemen in the suite Of the Presi-
dent; Sidney Webster, esq, his private Secre-
tary; Acting Commissioner of Patents, S. S.
Shugert, Hon. J. CLANCY Jones, of Pennsylvania,
| Hon. A. o. p. Nicholson, editor of the Wash
| ington Union, Mr. Sullivan, and others.
| Order having been restored James Gowan,
esq, President Of the Pennsylvania Agricultural
Society, addressed the President in the following
| terms:
| Mr.. President: 1t devoves on me, as President
Of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society,
to welcome your Excelency to its annual exhibit
ton, and to present for your inspection the farm
stock and implements, and the field and garden
| products on these grounds--the contributions of
| the farmers OF Pennsylvania.
The advancement of the tillers Of the soil, has
1 been with me leading object throughout my ag-
| ricultural career. If | could not have them take
precedence of all others, would not consent, at
least, that they should rank below any class in
! the community. With this intent | appointed
the Governor, Ex-Governors, and Judges of the
| Supreme Court of this Commonwealth, to parti-
cipate in the interesting duties of Judges at this
1
step further, and invite your Excellency to
come among us in familiar way, to look at the
/ specimens of husbandry and domestic manuiac-
tures that l was sure could not fail TO challenge
i your appreciation. Your responding SO kindly
| to the call made upon you, consummates my best
wishes SO far, and affords me the hveest gratf-
cation. ! therefore, in the name of the Pennsyl-
vania State Agricultural Society, and in behalf
of myself, bid you welcome-thrice welcome!
The President proceeded to reply in clear,
rapid, distinct, and manly tones. 1t is mpos-
sible to describe the effect produced by his style
and las language. Large the crowd was, there
was not one person who could not distinctly hear
what the President said. The following is as
faithful a report ofhs speech as we could obtain;
but we are sure that the sentiments he pro-
claimed are such as will be responded to by our
| patriotic citizens.
The President of the United States replied in
substance as follows:
Nothing could be more agreeable than the cir
cumstances under which, for the first time, visit
this locality, which besides being governmental
centre is the centre of the population and wealth
i of tho great agricultural State Of Pennsylvania.
My journey hther has been full of interest. /
was particularly attracted, as j entered the val
ley, near the boundary of your State traversed by
SiiNSi sbiCdHls DtdulhuiiJ SiICh ioilaSSs
with here and there the tnts of early autumn,
but yet more impressed as the broader valley of
the Susquehdnna opened upon us with fertile
| fields on either side, with the picturesque gap Of
the North Mountain, with the Blue Mountain in
the distance, presenting a sketch of almost UNI
rivaled boldness and beauty.
| And now, sir, what shall say Of the gracious
manner in which it has been your pleasure to re-
ceiye me in behalf of the Pennsylvania State
Agricultural Society l deeply moved and
deeply grateful.
II is gratifying to witness on any occasion such
a representation-of the patriotism, intelligence,
industry, and high moral and religious tone of
powerful Commonwealth which recognises no
distinctions among its citizens but those which
merit and worth confer. But especially inspir-
| ing is such scene as this, where the ycomanry
-engrosscd during the year in their own pur-
suits, living upon their own acres, cultivating
their own soil, experimenting the interests Of
their own domain-honcst thoughtful, rejecting,
but much secluded by the very nature Of their
noble and independent vocation, have come to-
gether for a better purpose than to criticise and
condemn the sentiments and opinions of others.
| Passion and Drciudicp are left behind to-doyi