Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-09

Democratic Club Rooms.
On motion of D. Mcmillan, ESQ.,, Presi
dent of the New Hanover County Society,
the meeting was organized by the election
of DR.. Chas. Duffy, of Onslow, as Presi-
dent, and Geo. E. Shepard and Jno. G..
James, of New Hanover, Secretaries.
The President on assuming the Chair
addressed the Convention in the course of
few remarks, setting forth briefly the
object Of the Convention and urging tho
high Importance of united and continued
effort in promoting the great ends of agri-
culture
It was ascertained that five counties were
duly represented, viz Onslow, New Han
over, Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen.
On motion of D. T. Durham, Esq, of
New Hanover, committee consisting of
Messrs. A. r. Black of New Hanover,
Thomas G. McIlhenny, of Brunswick, T.
S. Memory, of Columbus, and Henry Mutt,
of Bladen, was appointed to prepare and
submit business for the action of the Con-
vention.
During the absence of the committee,
DR.. II. Fl. Robinson was called upon to ad-
dress the Convention. He responded in
an appropriate manner, urging the i'm
portance of agriculture; the necessity of
thoroughly studying its science and bring
ing to bear all our mental as we'll as phys
ical energies IN advancing this great cause.
He urged the cultivation of a variety of
crops in order that if one should fail q
source of redemption might be found in
another. He also desired a combination
OF effort and reasoning together of the
body agricultural in developing and fer.
tilizing our SOIL
At the conclusion of Dr. Robinson's re-
marks, Mr.. r. X. Bryan, of New Hanover,
responded to a call. He directed his re-
marks principally to the labor system Of
the country. It's unreliability was de-
plored, and a remedy proposed in the in
PRODUCTION of immigrants. The health of
our climate and the susceptibility of our
soil to great improvement and extensive
cultivation were urged as inducements to
immigration if we will bestir ourselves and
detract it from tho tide now flowing into the
Northwest. There was not only demor-
alization among our laboring element, but
there was deficiency existing which can
only be remedied 10y the cooperation of
the entire agricultural community of the
State. He therefore urged more perfect
and general organization, especially in
Eastern North Carolina.
The committee having returned begged
leave to report, and submitted the follow
ing
WHEREAS, The fact is painfully apparent that
under our present system, not only our agricEl-
ture, but all our productive interests i'll q
larguishing condition, not being remuneratiye
nor capable OF supplying our necessities millions
of dollars worth of corn, bacon, pork, -four, and
even hay, are imported annually; and whereas we
should be exporters of the articles; and nearly all
implements and machines also imported;
and, whereas, every consideration, both public
and private, urges us to use our best efforts to
improve this state Of our affairs ; therefore,
ReSOtCed 1. That in the opinion OF this Conven-
ton there is no question 80 closely connected with
our prosperity as that OF reliable and Intelligent
labor !; that we regard our present labor as unre-
liable and wanting in sufficient intelligence that
a committee be appointed to consist of three dele
gates, whose duty it shall be to consider and re-
port on this question in connection with that of
foreign emigration.
ResoEUed 3D. That as the best means of ulti-
matel7 securing intelligent labOrers this COnven-
ton recommends change in our educational
system; that more attention be paid to teaching
those branches OF science which pertain to agri
culture and the mechanic arts than has hereto
fore been done; and it is especially insisted that
the land scrip, recently donated by Congress-, be
rigidly applied to the establishing of one or more
purely agricultural and mechanical schools in the
State.
ResolUed Sd, That the following additional COM
mittee be appointed:
1. A Committee of three, to report on Central
Society and Fair by the same next Fall.
2. A Committee of four to address, the State
Geologist, and impress on his attention, and that
of our State authorities, the Importance of giving
more attention to the agricultural interests of the
State
8. That Committee Of five be appointed to issue
an address to the producers of the State melting
them to greater efforts in their respective depart
ments, and urging on them the Importance of
adopting scheme of education better suited to
their wants than our present.
On motion of DE- D. Nj. Buie, of New
Hanover, the report was received.
Before entering into a consideration of
tle report, DR.. W. W. Lane, of New Han
over, offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Resoloed, That this Convention, as body and
as individuals, do cordially approve of the enter
prise and energy Of Mr.. W. a. Bernard of this
city, in having started an agricultural journal IN
midst for the better enlightening of our farm
ers on the many subjects coming in their sphere:
by introducing to their notice new and improved
farming tools, and keeping them posted in all
modern improvements in the science generally.
Before acting upon the report of the
committee, o recess was taken until 3
o'clock, P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at the appointed
hour, and was called to order by the Presi-
dent.
The report of the committee on Business
was taken up.
The first and second resolutions of the
report were passed without objection.
The third resolution elected considerable
discussion.
On motion of DIR. Robinson, the second
proposition Of this resolution relating to
the State Geoligist was stricken out, and
the following resolution adopted in lieu
| thereof:
Resolce3, That this Convention concur in the
| recommendation of Prof. Kerr. State Geologist OF
| North Carolina in repard IN tho III.