The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-28
UNITED STATES AcRwuITURaL SOCIETY
LspecIaI c0rrs.ponasaos u lhe unIOa.l
Rlcnnoxp. va. oc..

-. - J III
RIcHMoSD, Va Oct rs. 1855
This was a busy morning, and from an early hour II
was almost impossible TO procure carriage or any sort
Of conveyance to the Fair grounds The streets were
thronged not only with tho beauty and fashion OF Rich
mond, and the ''0ld Dominion, but with the beauty
and fashion of neighborng States, from the extreme
North and the sunny South yBy ten O'Clock the tide
pretty nearly filled the comnodous grounds. and the
speaker tent was packed TO its utmost capacity The
venerable exPesdent Tyler escorted TO the grounds
by committee, and though we'll in year, his appearances
betokens excellent health and vigor that will last for
years TO come. He accompanied by his little grand
son, OF ten years of agea bright, interesting youth
Gov. Wise and Hon VIM c. Riyes came upon the
grounds together and attracted considerable attention
Hon Caleb Gushing was, of course escorted by James
Lyons, esq
Owing to slight misunderstanding the part OF the
committee Of arrangements the ceremony of the day was
postponed until IL o'clock AT that hour the band
struck up lively tune and General Tlghman the
president of the United States Agricultural Society,
and James Lyons, esq, of Richmond, the orators OF
the day. together with large number of invited and
distinguished gentlemen took their proper positions upon
the platform. The exercises commenced with prayer
from the Rev Mr. Hoge, Presbyterian divine In which
that gentleman implored direction from high, that
the society might be conducted In such manner MS
would do the most good and would entire unity
and harmony between the different parts of the Union
His prayer seemed to exert exemplary influence upon
the immense assemblage and when he closed the audi
ence remained perfectly silent for several moments Mr.
Lyons then forward and after aluding to the for
nation Of the Virginia Central Agricultural Society and
to the interest felt in agriculture in Virginia and its rapid
advancement, he introduced President Iilghman to the
audience with few happy remarks The president im-
medatey responded with the opening address, and pro-
duced very favorable impression upon those who lis
tened TO him His address not long No address
upon such an occasion should be, as the people who
To hear 1t often most uncomfotably situated
and become ess if detained too long He spoke under
great disadvantages growing out of the dust which perva
ded the atmosphere but he was enabled to attract the at
tenton of the company and to keep during the whole
of his address He traced the rise and progress the nation
al society and comparing the agricultural societies Of
the Union with those Of Great Britain, asserted that
those of the latter far better than those of the
former and that the articles placed exhibition
brought from greater distance The United States
Agricultural Society should be ostered because the best
interests not only of the society but of the Commonwealth
Of Virginia and the entire Union, intimately
nected with its progress and success He compiniented
the local society upon the admirable in which
they had conducted their part of the exhibition and
cited the fact that visitors and exhibitors had from
all parts of the country to show that agriculture is
national in its character, and that the feelings not only
of the people of one but of many Statesof the entire
worldare elected in its behalf The Monthly Bulletin
he regarded of the best means of disseminating in
formation among the farmers of the country because 1t
entirely independent of any outside influences and
entirely devoted to the great of progress If
the subscriptions of those interested should be sufficient
and if the residents of the different sections of the Union
would take interest enough in the to become
coulu
be established for the dissemination Of the experience and
suggestions of the farmers of not only all parts of the
Union, but OF all parts of the world He paid atter
ing compliment to the ladies present. and concluded by
announcing that the sixth annual fair formally
opened. "
Immediately upon the conclusion Of Gen. Tilghman's
speech loud calls made for Gov. Wise Although
that distinguished gentleman had left the PLATFORM he
compelled to return so determined the audi
that he should at least let them hear the sweet tones
of his voice. In few words but with such impressive
manner, and with nmstakable glance of his deep,
sunken blue eye he told them that it would afford him
the greatest pleasure to speak to them and for them but
those organs most used in performing the duty they
anxious to assign him .'out Of order" He suf-
fering from aboess and he really believed that
the ''bone of his jaw aosingr But if Virginia
wanting in everything else said he) she present in
her people her sons and daughters were on cxhi-
bition themselves As he left the stand loud calls
made for President Tyler, who quickly came
forward, and with graceful compliment to the au-
dience retired in tho rear OF Gov. Wise. Hon. VIM.
G. Hves being next called for said he was expected
follow distinguished Friday next, IRE
erring to Gen Gushing the platform, and he hoped
his friends would not compel him to commit act Of so
great discourtesy to speak to-day This concluded the
opening exercises at the tent and Immediately the
of people sought the different points of atrac
ton with the determination of spending the day In the
most agreeable manner possible,
After the address had been delivered recognised Hon
Horatio King and his accomplished daughter of your
city upon the ground They the guests of Postmaster
Bigger whilst they remain here Washington, however
is not very largely representeda circumstance which is
to be greatly regretted inasmuch there many ar
ces of great interest not only to the citizens of the
topols but of the entire Union that would have formed
one of the chief attractions of the exhibition. D.