Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-11-23
FArE1rEv1LLE, Nov. 4, 1859.

J.W. PEARCE, DUNCAN SHAW.
S. j. HNSDALE,
FAYETTEVILLE, Nov. 4, 1859.
Gentlemen: kind favor Of yesterday has
been received thank you most sincerely Tor the
complimentary manner in which you have been
pleased to speak Of my remarks delivered yesterday
on the subject Of Agriculture and the Mechanic arts
They were prepared during intervals snatchcd from
my professional labors but such IS they are, they
are at your disposal
Permit me, gentlemen, to tender to you, and
through you to the people Of this community, my
heartfelt acknowledgements for the kind and hospi-
treated on this occasion. l shall remember with
pleasure as long as live this, my first visit to Fay
etteville May success crown all your efforts for
improvement; and may the choicest blessings Of
life be yours. ass
With much respect &c.
w. W. HOLDEN.
To Messrs. JOEL WILLIAMS and others, Com.
M,. President and Gentlemen
of tho Cumberland Agrieultsral Society:
When accepted the invitation Of your Committee
to address you on this OCCASION it was with much
dstrust of my ability to meet your just expectations
Nor has subsequent reflection, and some invcstiga-
ton of the subjects usually treated in such addresses
served to diminish this distrust So wide and so
ed with sciences Of which know but little and so
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 in
struct and inform the large and intelligent audience
here assembled Yet, could not resist the invita-
ton because agree myself to what l 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 apparent
Though not myself . tiller Of the soil, take .
deep interest in this employment and regard it. as
We all should do, as Of primary importance. Every
thing beautiful. and useful. and durable upon the
earth every object of art which decorates the land
the soil. Every comfort and convenience OF lie
every luxury that solsces or enervates us-every
qualification based upon material things and every
physical improvement, which, while it dignifes hu-
manty at the same time attests the superiority Of
mental power, may be traced directly or indirectly
to the soil.
Since, then, agriculture is so important and so
many interests depend upon an enlightened prose-
eution Of it. it is natural that should resort to
every means in our power to add to our information
on the subject and to give to it still greater promi
hence as a practical science. And what change
has been effected in this respect within the last ten
years. Then we had NO agricultural associations Of
any kind now We have State Society and numer-
Gus County Societies. dispensing their benefits not
merely at stated periods, but from year to year
Then our farmers manufacturers, and mechanics,
isolated from each other, knew but little Of the
progress which was being made in their respective
departments Of industry, and the stimulus Of gen.
eral and enlightened emulation was wanting; but
now they assemble together at least once year, to
exhibit and compare their productions the evidences
OF their intelligence, thrift experience and perscver.
ance 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 certain results have
been atained encourage each other by precepi and
example; to knit more firmly the ties Of brother
hood and interest between different and distant 10
calities; and to rouse mp and keep warm those no
bic sentiments Of patriotism and fiaternal regart
which SO much become the citizens Of one common
State
1t is not the premiums offered and obtained on q.
occasion like this which constitute the chief attrac
ton to exhibitors These are but ''xmall dust IL
the balance," compared with the triumphs Of intel
igence and industry, Of skill Of genius Of which
the premiums and diplomas awarded are but exteri
or evidence.
Looking over this large assemblage, one woul,
conclude that If al your people were not here the
were at least well represented in the strength Q
their manhood in the innocence and candor Of thei
youth, and in the loveliness which is . part of tn
birthrght Of the daughters of this favored region
Truly it may be said Of Us, IS of Israel Of old
The Lord thy God hath brought thee into zoo
land; land Of brooks Of water, of fountains an
DEPTHS that spring out of valleys and hills; Ian
eat, and barley, and vines, and fg-trce.
and.s4cmegr.nates; . land wherein we eat brea
wit8eut scarceness; land whose stones are iror
andsoM Of whose hills we may dig brass" Th
goody heritage is impaired by no laws Of descer
or psimogeniture No oppressive system Of Ian,
lord and tenant-no burdens imnosed for the hon
ht Of privileged orders, retard our Industrial pu
suits. or restrict the hand Of honest labor. Ever
man in this country may be freebooter. Eve,
man may improve bis condition on a solid basis. an
count with certainty on transmitting the fruits
his industry, in such modes as he nav desipn,t
to bis descendants Our governmenta unlike tho,
Of the old world, are felt mainly. if not only.
the benefits and blessings they bestow. Ind1str
genius skill, are ~ unrestricted IS the sun On
air; while the government ITSELF instead Of repres
ing the energies Of its citizens by unjust exaction
mas become the patron and promoter Of agrlcultur
mechanics, and the industrial arts.
II therefore, We do not prosper as agriculturist
% mechanics. q manufacturers, q srtixans. y
must look elsewhere for the cause than N our n
htical and social institutions. -
ine primary pursuit Of our people, as have
ready intimated, and indeed Of every people vi
have attained Or who may hope to attain perm
nent prosperity, il that Of agriculture I know
nay Dc s.id that some Of the most powerful natio
o. sntqoitywese eomsrcial in their character. =
that England furnishes striking example in moi
times af : ps6eperous Commercial emp;re Rne
taa al Agricultural labor and aericuItur,] nrod'
ton cs0saitats H. Aass Of Rnsi;sh nro.r..;,v !.
mower. In ma cu,s,n<-.. 49,. 9rlga