The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-08-25
Letter from ex-PresiGIemt Davis,
AEcVclGin& his Acceptance of
uhe Illinois NnVitaIiOn.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. 10, 1875.


Hy. p. KimbaH, Secretary WinnebagO
County agricultural Society, Rockford,
Illinois,
DEAR SIR: | yesterday sent to you a
telegram announcing my revocation Of
the conditional acceptance of the invita-
ton to address your accociation at their
annual meeting in September next. The
long period which has elapsed since the
receipt of your first letter, and the con-
siderate courtesy which has marked your
correspondence, make it duty to the
board and to myself that a sufficient ex-
PLANTATION 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 partisan fctions and nur
tured by individual and sectional hate.
Anxious now, as in former years, to pro-
mote the interest of our great valley of
the Mississippi, and believing that with
mutual confidence and cointelligence
much could be done for their advance
ment, only delayed my acceptance of
your invitation until it became reasona-
|
| productive capacity of the northwest
needs for its development cheaper and
safer transportation to the markets of
the southwest, and also to those of foreign
countries. In England, earnest attention
has been directed for several years past
to more direct and economical trade
with the Mississippi valley. In this con-
nectiOn there was desire to confer with
the Patrons of Husbandry in your rich
and prosperous section; to discuss with
| them the questions involved in securing
better means of transporting your farm
products to the most favorable markets,
and of providing agencies which should
insure larger returns to the freedmen,
and by such conference to learn the views
of one member of the family of the Mis-
slssippi valley. a family, the chief in
terest of all the members of which is ag-
riculture, but cultivators of such various
crops as to make the trade among them
selves extensive and lucrative, while il
stamps upon each and all the same inter
est and the same policy as to their foreign
trade. To render such a conference eff
fectual, there must needs be a disposition
to attend to the subject under considera
ton, surely not purpose to smother il
by the interposition of matters having nc
Just relation to it. The second object
was to recognize the courtesy of your
board, and l was encouraged to believe
that your reception of me would be bene-
fetal rather than injurious to your associ
alton. This was the more supposable
because several other agricultural socie
ties of Illinois had in like manner invited
me to address their annual meet
ings Yesterday / received printed
| paper, being the protest of number O
your fellow-countymen against the actor
,. of your board in their invitation to ms
to make the annual address at the county
{ meeting. Thereupon | sent to you th'
telegram withdrawing my acceptance o
the invitation, under the conviction tina
/ it would not be useful or agreeable t.
. participate in the meeting, and L nov
hope that neither your association no
. the directors will suffer harm by thu
delay in procuring orator, or by tn
| correspondence which has caused 1t.
: The third object was to crafty wisl
long entertained, to see in its cultivated
dress a country known by me as a track
less wilderness but that being merely
: personal qualification, it may be indulge,
at my convenience, or postponed indef
nitely.
/ can well believe that the cause whic
. has changed my purpose was as unfore
! seen by you as by me, and you may b
: assured that feel no dissatisfaction tc
!. ward the directors or yourself, and hav
It suffered no personal embarrassment
n from the event. As the invitation wa
+ unexpected, and only acceptable as tn
d expression of general good viii, so M
t. only regret is the loss of opportunity
a promote q pablo interest with which tn
II welfare of your community is identified
J. Again expressing the hope that neitht
IS the directors nor yourself may suffer il
pliurv or annoyance, and thanking you fl
e the kindness aud consideration you haS
J. manifested, ! am, respectfully yours,
!. JEFFERSON DAVIS,