The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-12-06
CIRCULAR. A r. /.

At a meeting of the Agricultural Society Of PEN
dleton, s. G., held on the 23th of November, 1866,
in its Hall at Pendleton, Anderson District, Hon.
R. F. Simpson, Col. W. A. Hay,ie and Hon. Thom-
as G. Clemson were appointed Committee to ap-
neal to their fellow men for aid, to found an in
stituion for educating people in the sciences,
to the end that our agriculture be improved, our
worn, impoverished lands be recuperated, and the
great natural resources of the South developed.
Considering the PROSTATE, and almost hopeless
condition of our country our cities Churches,
farm-houses, fences burned; our banks, railroad
companies and other institutions which held the
savings of the old, the helpless, the orphans, &C.,,
made bankrupt; our plate, watches, furniture,
cattle, horses, the trinkets and clothing of our
women and children, even the contents of our
granaries and meat-houses carried off or destroy
ed; a large portion of our most productive lands
seuuestered from their owners to the freedmen;
we are grievously taxed without representation;
our property under the Constitution liberated with
out compensation; we have been left without food,
or the means with which to purchase that which
the haryests have failed to produce.
Considering that our lands are SO impoverished
by the growth and expectation of cotton, that
much of them will not pay the cost Of cultivation,
and that our agriculture generally is in wretch
ed condition that legislation has failed to protect
the agricultural resources of the Commonwealth
from unnecessary and wholesale spoliation; that
we have emerged from an unmerciful war, IN
which we engaged to support Constitution under
which we.were born and educated, and find our
selves ruined, but with natural resources unde-
veloped; our population leaving their shoulder
ing homes for other and far distant lands; our
mineral wealth no less varied, than vast, intact;
our immense water powers without application,
either to irrigation or manufactures; our best
lands undrained, unproftably zlu1uriant, and rife
with pestilential emanations that avenues to hon.
or and wealth are restricted for the want Of SCIENCE
upon which the arts are based, and without which
civilization cannot advance; and that ignorance ls
the cause of our destitution, and the parent OF
crime, misery and death. We, the Committee on
behalf of the Agricultural Society, and our fellow
citizens, now make this our earnest appeal to tho
wel-disposed Of oil classes and sects, for aid to
found IN institution for the diffusion of scientific
knowledge, that our civilization may advance, and
we may once more become happy and prosper
Gus people,. We believe without such institutions,
we shall ever continue to be at the mercy Of gno-
rant politicians and demagogues; but with them,
we have hopeful, if not bright future for our
descendants. An appeal more exalted and benih-
cent in design, for people more deserving, was
never offered for the consideration of the civilized
world. 49,.
If this, our prayer, meet with sufficient re-,
sponse, an institution will go into operation from
whence science of the highest order, in all it's
forms, will be gratuitously dispensed to unborn
millions. e -
This upper region of South Carolina would ap-
pear above all Others adapted for the location Of
such an institution. For the picturesque, this
mountain region will vie with Switzerland. For
health and climate, it is not excelled, if equaAed,
by any portion of North America.
Donations of funds, books, apparatus, are ear,
nestly solicited, and considering the purposes Of
the Society," it is hoped that all public carriers,
railroads and express companies will exempt pack
ages from charges. -
record will be carefully kept and handed down
to posterity, accrediting the donors for their rc
spective contributions. Agricultural and other
Societies, and those who may have influence, would
confer obligations upon the Society by acting as
agents in collecting and forwarding contributions.
Editors Of newspapers, and other publishers, are
respectfully requested to give insertions to- this
appeal, that it may meet the eye of all who feel
an interest in the advancement of civilization in
this ruined, but still part of our common sooun-
try.
Letters and contributions to be directed to Hon.
Thos. G. Clemson, L. L. D.. Chairman Of Conn
mttee, Pendleton, Anderson District, South Caro-.
lima. 80