The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-12-14

4
Weare assembled here to-day under cir
acknowledgements to the Giver of all good,
\ TO inaugurate the Third Annual Fair OF the
/ Planters, Manufactures and Mechanics
/ Association Of Mississippi. The pest1lence
| that waAketh IN darkness, and which has
| consigned 70 lamented graves some OF our
| best and most honered citizens-the preya-
lence OF which led 70 the postponement OIL
our Fair-has been stayed.
The objects proposed by this Association
are, the dissemination OF useful knowledge
relating TO agriculture and the mechanic
arts, by bringing into contact with others
the minds of planters and mechanics, by the
introduction OF labor-saving machinery
md improved agricultural implements; by
the importation OF improved breeds of do
nestle animals, and by an earnest effort to
give dignity TO those pursuits which lie at
the foundation of national wealth and in
dividual happiness. No spirit of selfish
ness animated its founders; no hope of pri-
waite gain or personal benefit influences its
officers. Ii was sustained during the two
first years of its organization exclusively
by the liberality of our pOblic-spirited citi-
Zens. Now that the State has given an
earnest OF her approval and hearty cooper
alton, we can confidently predict its con-
tInued existence and progressive useful
ness.
To the intelligent, persistent and disin-
terested efforts of the Board of Control, and
the zeal and energy of our indomitable Sec
rotary, is due the credit of whatever success
may attend this Fair.
Let the planters OF our State abaHdon the
present exhaustive mode OF cultivating
their fields, and substitute therefore judi
cious rotation of crops, without which their
can be no successful agriculture here or
elsewhere.
Let the acreage of cultivation in corn and
col ton be reduced one-half and the capital
employed in its cultivation. which is now
expended on the whole for labor alone-the
one-half for labor, the other in honestly
made and judieiously selected fertilizers.
Let them diversity their industry, but de-
vote their energies chiefly TO the produc ion
of the great staple, Cotton, and rely upon it
for the supply of the few necessaries or lux
uries which they cannot grow or make. Let
them produce their own bread, raise their
own meat, mules, etc.
Let them sustain and encourage every
mandatory of everything essential to their
independence and comfort, already in exist
ence among us, especially those of Cotton,
and let new ones be established in every
county in the State, at least for the CONVEX
sion of our raw material into yarns. by their
Joint means and efforts. Let them save the
immense sums now lost by allowing the
cotton goods consumed by them to be man
ufactured abroad. Let them through these
establishments give employment to thOus-
ands of women and children who are now,
if not burden upon the community, com
paIatively useless laborers; build up towns,
and give increased prosperity to agriculture
by an increased demand for the products of
the soil. Let them so manage matters that
our own great staple shall give an impetus
to our own commerce and manufactures, in
stead of enriching foreigners while il i'm
poverisheS US. Let their virtual exclusion
from the field of politics have the effect of
concentrating their energies upon the de-
velopment of their material and intellectual
ha lah
they have, and bring the skilled labor nee
essary for their present purposes from
Europe or the North. Let the people of the
state further encourage and sustain our ow n
literary and scientific institutions ofevery
grade from that university which should be
their pride, to the common school. Let an
Agricultural College, such as will, in all re-
spects, meet the requirements of the act of
Congress. be established, from which shall
yearly be scattered broadcast over our State
Young men trained to the habits of labor.
mental and physical, whose heads shall be
filled with the knowledge Of the various
sciences.whOse hands shall be ready to apply
the same to the practical purposes of life I:
whose hearts shall be the seat of virtue and
honor; whose example will infuse new life
INFO our agricultural, manufacturing and
mechanical classes; will dignity labor by
its connection with learning and virtue
and raise TO a level with the learned profess
sions, the planter, manufacturers, and me-
chanics of our State.
Let our young men recognize the true
dignity of labor, and exhibit the same cour-
age. persistence, and energy in the pursuit
of the arts of peace, which has won for
them name and fame as lasting as time
and as eternal as truth.
Let our women (the sweetest word in our
vocabulary, let these gentle beings,
the noblest God has ever vouchsafed to man.
illustrate the virtues of patience self-de-
NAL and fortitude, which, during the
aIo nkx.xl 81 - a..
ancient and modern times let their smiles
animate and encourage the intelligent
energetic, industrious, and virtuous Young
men of our State, and frown upon the idle
loaier and sluggard, as Indignantly as they
did upon the skulker and the coward dur
ing the war; and let us ali, the merchant.
manufacturer, professional man, the me-
chanlc and the planter, heartily unite in an
earnest effort to carry out the objects and
purposes of this and similar associations
throughout the State, and the desolatious
of war will soon be repaired, our waste
places rebuilt, and our land blossom as The
rose.
My duty as President of this Association
will be discharged when ] announce the
opening of the Third Fair of the Planters
Manufacturers and Mechanics Association
OF Mississippi and extend to all present a
cordial welcome.
Governor Powers was then introduced
to the people and spoke as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 1T affordI me
great pleasure to be present and take part
in the ceremonies of this occasion. In spite
of every adverse circumstance that would
have overwhelmed with discouragement
gentlemen lass earnest and enterprisino
than the officers of the State Fair Associa-
ton have shown themselves to be, l am
happy to congratulate you on the success
which to-day rewards their labors.
at -,
Ofthe Association. as set forth by its ven
cradle and most worthy President, and do
not hesitate to give them my unqualified
appreciation. The sentiments advanced
are those of a veteran who thoroughly I'M
derstands his subject, and whose heart is in
the cause he advocates.
/ esteem it an honor greater than con-
ferred by any temporary applause that
awaits political prefermcnt to be assigned
a place among the earnest men of the coun-
try, wR are inspired with a desire. and
who 90 forward with zeal to develop the
resources of the State; whose
am bition il is to mark out brighter future
for the people, and the realization of whose
highest hopes is to fill the land W it'll happy
homes. Especially am glad to cooperate
in the attainment of such desirable objects
when the means are so readily within our
reach and can be summoned up in the sim
pie scheme of affording additional attrac-
tions and opening new avenues for industry.
since the day IL was proclaimed to man -
by the sweat Of thy brow shalt thou earn
thy Bread labor has been invested with
the sanctity OF Heaven, and has been the
source of all the temporal comforts and
blessings of life. Every monument of our
civilization is the recomp ense of toll. The
false heroism that would scorn the plow |
and account only that which is won at the
mouth the highest renown, has
brought to poverty and distress too many
ambitious youths to be suffered longer to |
deceive. peace has its victories as well as |
war" The conflicts of might pass away, |
and are forgotten; but the achievements of |
shall in the future lead Mississippi to a |
higher destiny, who shall bold the keys of |
knowledge, and shall be fNremost in adj |