Wilmington journal., 1875-08-20
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
HE DECLINES TO SPEAK AT
THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR.
MEMPHIS. August ID. 1875.

MEMPHIS, August II. 1910.
Henry p. h-inedalt, ~Sccrctasy Of the
IVInncJago Cosoaty agricultural
,Sociey Of RochJord, III.
DEAR Sir: yesterday seUt to you
a telegram announcing my revocation
Of my conditional acceptance OF the
invitation to address your Association
at their annual meeting i'll September
next. The long period which has
elapsed since the receipt Of your FIRST
letter, aud the cOusiderate courtesy
which has marked your correspond
tnce, make it my duty to your Board
and to myself that sufficient expiana-
ton should be given Of this change Of
purpose.
Three objects mainly induced me to
accept the invitation. First: The hope
that personal Intercourse might remove
some of the prejudices which had been
generated by partlz IN feeling, and nnr
tured bv individual and sectional hate.
Anxious, as III former years, to pro-
mote the interest of our great Valley
of the Mississippi. and believing that
with mutual confidence and cO-luteili-
gence much could be done for their
advancement, I only delayed my accep-
u
came reasonably probable that it could
be met. The productive capacity OF
the Northwest needs for its develop
ment cheaper and safer transportation
to the markets of the Southwest, and
also to those of foreign countries. La
England, especially, earnest attention
has been directed for several Years
past to more direct and economical
trade with the Mississippi Valley. In
this connection, there was a desire to
confer with the Patrons OF Husbaudry
ia your rich and prosperous section, to
discuss with them the questions lnv0tv-
ed in securing better means of trans
DortatiOn for your farm products
to most favorable markets. and Provld'
ing agencies which should insure larger
returns to farmers, and by such con
ference to learn the views of one mem
Der Of the family of the, Mississippi val
lev, Il family, the chief interest Of all
members OF which IS agriculture; but
they are cultivatOrs OF such various
CROPS as TO make trade among them
selves extensive and lucrative, while II
stamps upon each and all the same in
teres5s, and the same policy as to then
foreign trade. To render such confer
ence efectual, there must needs be 9
disposition ID attend to the subject uD-
der consideration, surely not p1lTpos5
| to smother it by the lnterpOslt!on OF
matters having no just relation to it.
SecOnd.-An effort was made to re.
| cognise the courtesy of your board
| and [ was encouraged TO believe thai
your reception of me would be beneti
| eial. rather than injurious to your asso
| citation. This was the more surpOsable
because several other agricultural sOci
eties OF Illinois had i'll like manner in
| vited me to address theil
annual meetings. Yesterday
received printed paper
it being protest of number Of you'
fellow countrymen against the action
of your Board in their invitation t.
me to make the annual address at the
county meeting. Thereupon, [ Sent
you telegram withdrawing my accept
ance of the invitation, under the con
! vlctiOn that it would not be useful OF
agreeable toparticipate in the meeting
and [ hope that neither your Assocla
ton nor the Directors Will sutfar harm
by the delay in procuring an orator
or by the correspondence which has
caused it.
Third. The object was to crafty :
wish long entertained, to see, in it
cultivated dress, the country know
10 me as a trackless wilderness Bu
that being merely q personal gratifica
ton, it may be indulged a
10y convenience, or postponed indeti
nitely. I can we'll believe that th'
cause which has changed my purpose
was as unforeseen by you as by me, ,anC
you may be assured that I feel no dis
satisfaction towards the Directors O
yourself, and have suffered no person
al embarrassment from the event, a
the invitation was unexpected and onl.
accepted as an expression Of genera
good will, SO my only regret is the los
of the opportunity to promote the put
lie interest in which tie welfare ofyon
community is Identified. Again TX
pressing the hope that neither tue Di
rectors nor youself may suffer injur..
or annoyance, and thanking you fo
the kindness and consideration ycl
have manifested.
am respectfully yours,
! | Tr,-1I II