The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-11-25

| OCtUoys anu the DdQ cOnOlb1ou OF the grOuni
to-day, there was quite large number o
persons at the Fair Grounds at an early hou
this morning. The various apartments wer
being rapidly filed up, and the receiving
and entry clerks were up in the hundred
when last we looked in at their crowded
desks.
The exercises ofthe day begun at II o'clocl
with music by the Jackson Brass Band. Th'
Rev. DR.. John Hunter followed, with prayer
after which Col. James NJ. Wesson, Presi.
ident of the Association, delivered the fol
lowing
ADDRESS.
| LADIES AND GKNTLRMhN:-Itb becomes nv
duty. as it is my pride and pleasure, to pro.
claim the opening of another State Fair;
held under the auspices of the Planters
Mechanics and Manufactures Association
| of Mississippi.
The Board OF Directors deserve our thanks
| for the taste, skill and energy displayed by
them in the buildings and appointments,
both for the safety and convenience of eX-
hibitors, and the pleasure and comfort OF
visitors. For nine long years we have been
separated by war. and circumstances which
we could not control ;and now death deprived
us OF the pleasure of meeting here many
whose want it was to do honor to such occa-
| sions. Let US drop the sympathetic tear tor
| NV AHACuQo anu uF8W The veil over the past :
| and look to the future with inspiring hope
for the blessings of Providence upon our
present eforts-giving thanks to God for
tie prosperity OF our country, which enables
US to hold another exhibition, which will
develop the wealth OF the country, the pros
perity of our people, and the happiness of
mankind in general.
1 rejoice to witness in this reunion of the
people the pleasing manifestation OF that
returning lite and interest, which teammates
"a
in future.
It is not my province on this occasion to
deliver an elaborate address fortunately for
both you and myself that duty is assigned
TO one who is much better qualified. And
why should l attempt TO describe to you that
which Is much more eloquent and beautiful
in reality no elOquence of mine can trans
late the beauty and grandeur here presented
to your view. How can oratOry add to the
impressiveness of the scene? The Hottest
flights of Oratory, and the most signal tr:-
umphs of rhetoric will fail i'm comparison
with one spark emitted from yonder engine.
But may be permitted to congratulate
the gentlemen of this Association and point
to the impressing illustration of their tri-
umphant success in solid results. Then in
stead of listening to an attempt of oratory
on my part, let me point you. Ladies and
Gentlemen, to the collection ofart, taste and
industry, brought together, and well
arranged for your inspection, both for plea
sure and profit.
And here let me bow in grateful acknowI-
edgement to the sparkling eyes and glowing
cheeks of this large array of the gentler sex.
whose hearts and hands are ever ready in
doing good; and whose smiles compel the
highest ASPIRATIONS OF man.
Your reward. gentlemen,o the Association
will be the smiles and appreciation of the
Ladies, and the most respectful esteem and
gratitude of your fellow citizens. Then let
your work be laoor of love, and your re-
ward shall be as bread cast upon the waters
To you, my fellow-citizens, the Importance
of these Annual State Fairs cannot be over
estimated. Every farmer in the State should
become member of this Association and
give it his most cordial cooperation and
liberal material aid, meet here annually,
bring up specimens of some experimental
product, with written history of the mode
and manner and cost of cultivation, estab-
lish statistical bureaus in every county so
as to report fully and accurately the entire
products OF the State. This can be easily
done if the Presidents OF the Agricultural
Society of each county in the State will ap-
point a committee in each Police District
and furnish them with the blanks for the
proper entries. These statistics should en-
brace the acreage planted in the several
crops, and reports madein early spring as to
the amount planted, the coming up and
.'stand- of the crop, the seasons and casual
ties in the spring and summer, and the
probable yield in the fail. so that all may
know at the time of marketing, what is the
extent of the crop. With this information
the producer is prepared to defend himself
against the insidious moves of spectators.
Last fall advised the planters to sell SO
much of their crops as was necessary to pay
their merchants at the best price attainablc,
but to hold the balance for 25 cents. They
took my advice, but unfortunately for all
parties interested, it rose above that-it rose
Co 81 &hts, it rose too high, and thereby
stopped consumption. Cotton, like all else
in nature, must submit to the laws of ma
ture; must find an equilibrium. Lake water
must seek its level, and just in proportion
as it rose too high last season it will go too
low now and as these great and rapid fluc-
tuations are Injurious TO both the producer
and consumer, all are Interested in finding
the level, and nothing is so important in OBJ
information from the field as to the amount
of the crop produced before any of 1t is sold.
aud this object can only be obtained by all
of the cotton states forming themselves into
bureau of statistics, which can easily be
done by a Convention of the cotton States.
The consumption of cotton in the United
States last year was 10l,4l2 bales less than
the year before, and this was alone owing to
the higher price, which Is clearly proven by
the fact that there was 10000 bales on hand
at the close of the season in excess of the
year before.
Then the question naturally recurs, how
much cotton will be consumed at given
price? gave It as my opinion last year that
/ TWO aDO OIlc-Qu1Ib UttAllBIlo Vi UdaCo WOutu
| be taken &C % cents with safety 70 the trade
and the country The crop exceeded that
amount by about 10000 bales, which could
| have been taken at a small deduction. But
| for the want of correct data from the field
"a to the extent Of the crop, all parties be-
| came alarmed for the shortDess of the crop,
ran up the price, stopped consumption, and
hence the year closed with an increased
stock of 10000 bales. The only remedy for
| these excessive fluctuations, so injurious to
Il L. NG4rF
| of the extent Of the crop before it is sent TO
market. have suggested how this infor-
nation may be obtained.
\ Advice however well intended is not al
ways judicious-the wisdom as wen As the
Kindness of the giver must be consulted.
| It is a well settled fact In my mind that
1 an under-e-ti innate of the crop Is equally in
| judicious and injurious to the planter and
| manufacturer.
| The question then is What is the extent
| of the crop this year. and what should be
| the price paid for 1t? and these are momen-
| tous questions at this time. do not advise
| planters 70 become spectators, but do i'm
4 plore them to seek intelligence upon these
| all-important questions and be prepared 70
| defend themselves against the insidious
drones in society, who, withouc-work them.
selves. faften and grow rich upon the sweat
| and muscle of the laboring man.
The present crop win probably exceed
| two and one-half millions of bales. Cotton
at &c. with gold &C &c. 10 equal 70 25c. with
gold at 3Sc; but IL the excessive high price
last year docs depress the price now, IL may
not bring &c. with gold mt u or 26c- and y
20c. Il remunerncing price would not hold
for more nor take less. would meet The
market freely ~ present prices. and 80 the
government Ii now seriously contemplating
specie payment. it In unwise to hold or lay
up gold. But I'm order. both 90 stimulate
/ and aid the government, in the good pur-
i pose of specie payments would most ear.
neetly recommend every planter 90 demand
gold for his cotton. and then buy the cur
rency. 1t is the prerogatlve Of the Prod1,