Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1859-12-02
ADDRESS OF w. w. HOLDEN, ESQ,
AT THE CUMBERLAND FAIR Nov. Sd, 1859.
Wr. PresaIent md EentLeme1


OF tile Cumberland agricultural Society:
When l accepted the invitation of your
Committee TO address you on this occasion,
it was with much distrust Of my ability 10
meet your Just expectations. Nor has
subsequent reflection, and some investiga-
ton of the subject usually treated in such
address, served TO diminish this dstrust.
So wide and so varied is the field before
ne-so intimately connected with sciences
of which | know but little, and small
is my practical knowledge of agriculture
Itself, that [ might we'll relinquish all
hope, if indeed such hope could exist,
that it will be in my power to instruct
and inform the large and intelligent audi
ence here assembled. Yet, | could hot
resist the invitation, because agree my
self to what | maintain in regard TO others,
that every public man is under obligations
to respond to such calls ; and since, also,
felt sure you would make full allowance
for the numerous defects and the lack of
knowledge which would be SO apyar
emf.
Though not myself filler Of the soil,
/ take deep interest III this employ
ment, and regard it, as we all should do,
as of primary Importance. Every thing
beautiful, and useful, and dnrable upon
Inc Cttttil IfCi tbjSNt VI sti' w iiiNti w
corates the landscape or floats upon the
deeD, has had its origin in the soil. Eve
erv comfort and convenience of life ev
cry luxury that solaces or enervates us
every qualification based upon material
things, and every physical improvement,
which, while it dignities humanity, at the
same time attests the superiority OF ment-
al power, may be traced directly or lndl-
rectly TO the soil.
Since, then, agriculture is SO important,
and so many interests depend upon an en-
lightened prosecution of it, it is natural
tlat we shonld resort TO every means in
our power to add TO our information on the
subject, and TO give to it still greater
prominence as a practical science. And
what change has been ehec'ed in this
respect within the last ten years. Then
we had no agricultural associations Of any
kind now we have a State Society and
numerous County Societies, dispensing
their benefits not merely at stated periods
but from year to year. Then our farmers
manufacturers, and MECHANICS, insolate
from eac! other, knew but little of the
progress which was being made in THEN
respective departments of industry, and
the stimulus of a general ami enlightened
emulation was wanting; but now they as
semble together at least once year, to eX
hibit and compare their productions, the
evidence of their Intelligence, thrift, expe
rence, and perseverance; to take note of
and take heart from. the success of others
in special fields of labor; to investigate
and compare the processes by which GER
tain results have been attained /; to encour
age each other by precept and example
TO knit more firmly the ties OF brotherlood
and interest between different and distant
localities; and to rouse mp and keep
warm those noble sentiments Of patriotism
and fraternal regard which so much be
come the citizens of one common State.
1t is not the premiums offered and OBJ
tanned on an occasion like this, which
constitute the chief attraction to exhibi-
tors. These are but 'ssmall dust in ;he
balance compared with the trinmphs of
intelligence and industry, of skill, or OF
genins, OF which the premiums ana diplo
mas awarded are bnt exterior evidence.
Looking over this large assembage, one
wonld conclude that if all your reople
were not hsre, they were at least we'll
represented in the strength of their man
hood, in the innocence and candor of their
youth, and in the lovelness which is a
part of the birthright Of the daughters OF
this favored region.
Truly il may be said Of MS, as of Israel
of old, ssTlle Lord thy God hath brought
thee into good land a land of brooks of