Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-03
xn,,cn Lord Napier,

Mr. James Lyons proposeC, iue uoai'u
OF our distinguished guest, the Presldent OF
the Agricultural Society OF the county OF Sci.
kirk IN S Observation-Disclosures not more by
his eIoquence, learning, and statesnansAlp.
than nv all the amenities OF the gentleman;
if the Q lecu is not. she ought to be, proud OF
her representative"
Lord Napier then arose, and said
G.ntlemen:-W | rise to address the
Distinguished assemblage which has remeu.
bered my sovereign and my country, and
which has done one the honor OF noticing my
presence a, this festival, it is matter OF SAT:
islaction to reflect, that however Ignorant
AN of the noble industry TO which you have
alluded, and however incapable of Justly ap-
precating the fruits and services which you
are rendering in this cause, may still rank
myself, although in subordinate degree,
among the true sons of the soil. Applause.
| remember with proud pleasure on this
occasion, that my father was an unsuccessful
Laughter though successful 1r,ter upon
the art OF farming. Applause l belong
to a class whose vocation and Interests are
deeply rooted in the land--a class uhose &C.
tive life is much bestowed upon the business
of Parliament, tho negotiations OF civil gov
eminent, or on the profession OF arms, ana
which, 10 all the vicissltudes OF lie and strife,
still represents itself thus upon fields and
courts, bet who have dreamed Of late
return to the hereditary donors. Notuith-
standing this diplomatic dssertion and this
foreisu vagrancY, Of which l SHALL not &C.
cuse myself or the present occasion, l still
RENAL member Of the Highland Society OF
Scotland; and as you have just heard, am
President of the Industrial Association OF
nv pative county for the improvement OF
Chegiot sheep. Cheers and laughter.
Now, gentlemen, With these antecedents,
and with these associations, you may well be-
lieve | did not fail to give stronger ear to
what has been said in my hearing, and that
AIN gratiied by the hearty welcome l ex-
perieuced from this brotherhood of agrlcul-
ture. Since my arrival at Richmond, my at
tontion has been called to the motto Ut this
State--Sic .Semper Tyrdnnis. This Is q
strong legend. aud it las a reproachful sig
nifcarce 10 English ears, daughter, but
when refec. upon the ancient hospitality OF
Virginia, | have in my mind new motto
Sic Semper lmicsS-always the same to the
opDre,s9r, aud always the same to the guest
fidelity to Freedom and fidelity to friendship
are still the bases Of Virginia character
Loud sppIause.) The husbandry of Amer.
lea, in its great expansion, and III It's rapid
progress, presents spectacle TO which no
Eagiishman can remain Indifferent. History
ohrrs no Example of this rapid, mysterious,
unceasing encrOaehment Of skill and labor
over the fertile domain Of the savage aod bis
prey. Ii is the fret triumph of man occC.
pied with all the power OF inSeotion and ex'
perience.
In the agriculture Of America We see the
spontaneous industry, of which the field IL
the American continent, and of which the
implement is the Anglo Saxon ARM
| Cheers 1t may be asserted with equsl
truth that the agriculture Of America forms
the principal basis of the prosperity Of Fog
land. Ia the three great staples-cotton,
corn, and tobacco-we recognize the In
dispensable material of our manufactures,
| the III Elm basis for the revenue o! the State
| But, gentlemen, not only DO the agricultural
productions Of the United States contribute
| in very high degree to sustain our govern
ment and industrial community, but the land
| and labor market of America offer to our
whole population an inevitable refuge 10 the
hour OF d:stress. BY these the burden OF
domestic taxation is lightened, the public
peace preserved, and oCr political institu-
rions are relieved Of that pressure TO which
j: would lie otherwise exposed from the
ya--ions Of men without the means Of con-
slant support. and without hope Of relief.
And surely, grntlemen, there is no event in
the circle of human action, that j. more
a., ,t,o IS, TO-, frns,
their birth place to settle in strange country.
IL is q subject upon which poets ponder, and
nDvellsts exercise their genius. For my part
nv impressions ore derived from life, and
am disposed to refer TO those scenes because
they are intimately connected with my first
associations Of America. Belonging to Scot
land in which the aspirations are to emigra.
ton. my earliest recollectous are mingled
with thoughts of the people leaving their
fi3lds of toll, and turning their faces towards
the Western world, that they might open
up more generous gain 20 those who stayed
behind. AL the features Of such an incident
are sill! present to my memory; there is a
stormy morning--,he mist dwelling on the
,Douatain top--thers is a cottage with its
smoky chimney ADD neat cham ber--there the
luctant bot resigned-the elder children
pleased the father grave. Then, gentlemen,
'bc long parting # those who will meet no
mere until the weary are at rest And thus
our people come forth to another world, im-
pel!ei by the a mighty power which sends
them Oh their distant course. Cheers
Whilst recognizing these characteristics Of
the people base the honor to represent L
cannot deny myself the satisfaction and plea
sure IF expressing the qualification which
have personally drawn from the external as
pect Of American busbandry. De-. johnson,
On being asked what was the summit Of TO-
iicify, said that if you wish to be perfectly
happy bers below, ycu should procure a
horse aad drive rapidly through new coun-
try, with pretty woman by your side
(Laughterl Now, gentlemen, strike out the
pretty woman," and think the respeora-
bic moralist was right, for | have yet to
learn of higher gratifcatlo than travel.
ling through new country. That is plea.
sure have been enjoying upon several &C.
casions since | have been bere. 1t must not
be supposed, however, that the aspect OF new
country is always agreeable to the eye. 10
the new portions, often the primitive beauty is
destroyed, and not meeting with thattJ which
wehase teen accustomed, our fastidious taste
com plains thar the furrow is not strai ght: that
the wheat is not clear; the swamp not drain.
&c; AMI then the absence Of green groves and
the deficiency of sheep--that Interesting AMI
una! over which tits my peculiar privilege to