The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-23
Excitement Created by. the Invitation
I'm WffifebaEo COUNTY "A ddress from
the Secretary Of the Agricultural So

ctcsys.StFaf5e p52t 34gS i.s.. -, e.s.;1.sa
i Jelf'rsou Dayis's telegram TO the secretar
I, Of the Winnebago County, OIL. Agricult,
raj Society said that stunforeseen event
/ made it impossible for3,him to attend II
/ fur. Previously the Board OF Directors ha
| voted four to three to stand by the action c
the secretary. Popular opinion in tn
county IS thus set forth BY The Rockfor
Register IS 2,ss.:: 80 $50 -. 'si !.
| about the matter, and hope the engagement
| may be cancelled. Many others with whom
we have talked, among. whom are lawyers
teachers, clergymen, and city officials, who's,
patriotism and personal integrity no man Car
question, are equally free to express the int
rest they feel 10 seeing and hearing Mr.. Da
vis. There is conscientious difference o
opinion on the subject, which must be re
spected."
The secretary had been moved mean
while to send forth circular.address as fol-
lcws: .ts~k ~ ...r ,aas
a Splendid Opportunity for Rockford, by 8
noble sacrifice, TO gain The admiration o.
the civilized world-A week long to be
remembered for its upexampied festivities
and thrilling sensations Hon. Jefferson
Davis. ex.President Of the Southern Con
! Benjamin F. Taylor, Esq, of Dupkirk, n
Y, will give the anniversary poem-The
South and the North meet in this Eden oil
the Northwest to grasp hands in fellow.
ship-Our Patriotism, our Christianity
and our Hospitality to be put to test
SHALL WE HAVE AN UNDIVIDED COUNTRY?
The proclamation has gone forth, ard the
news has been flashed across the continent,
and Europe has learned the event, that the
loyal and law.abidng North, crowned with
laurels of victory, has, in it's Christian mag.
nanimity, reached out its welcoming hand TO
the alien South, aud rendered its generous
Inequalities to the President Of the fallen
Confederacy. Such deed and such spec
tacle, illustrating the essence Of Christianity
and The dlyiner qualities Of our humanity,
excites the admiration Of angels and thrills
the helrt of the civilized world with senti-
ments of profound gratitude and approba-
ton. ......... ....
Ten long years Of bitter feuds and Sec
tiona antagonisms have passed away since
our victorious armies furled their battle-flags,
and with trumphal marches, and flushed
with victory, passed through the gates Of our
national capital to their northern homes.
Gradually have the jeaouses and anmosi.
ties engendered by 80 severe contest died
away. The South, in the abasement OF her
humiliation, has learned, by the most bitter
and unparalleled reverses, 10 accept the YER
dict Of our invrcible arms. Struggling 10
her weakness and restitution to rebuild tie
ruined palaces of her industry, aud deVe-
Top her resources by free and intelligent
labor, she appeals for assistance to the
capital and philanthropy of the North. She
opens her borders to the East, the West, and
the North, and to the very men who, III the
agitation of the emancipation question, pre-.
cipitated the conflict she tenders the olive
branch of peace and streTs their pathway
with flowers. Have l overes:imated the
Christian civilization Of this community: Is
there nothing to expect from the chivalry and
refinement of city like Rockford, dlslln.
.ushed for its ecclesiastical and educational
advantages? Ought our citizens be exercised
with feelings Of anger aud retaliation when
representative leader OF the South is invited
10 come here and pay tribute to the thrill
and enterprise of our agrlcul.urists:
We disclaim any motive, in the invitation
to Mr.. Davis to address our Society, 10 Of.
fend the loyal sense of our community or
commit our citizens to any sanction or en-
dorsement of his past career. We look back
keen a pity and as strong a hate as words
can express. They were the abomination OF
cruelty and deSoation. But the Govern.
ment, in its high tribunals, has long ago set
tied matters by proper penalties and gene.
raj amnesty. AS communities now it snould
rather be our earnest endeavor. as it Is our
Christian privilege, to cultivate and foster
anity and reconciliation between the two
sections. and by friendly intercourse and
commercial interchange ree,Labilsh our
Union.
Underlying my engagement with MIR. Da-
Wis is something nobIer and better than dol
lars and cents. There are involved the high
tss principles of our Christianity and the
manifestations Of the most cbiyalrouS and
ennobiDe qualities of our humanity. But
the question is asked: Why have we passed
by so many eminent and loyal men of the
North to invite Mr. Davis: We had, pre-
v.ous to our invitation 10 the eX.Presiuent,
sent letters of invitation to General w. L.
Sherman, General Berj amin +. Butler, Henry
Ward Beecher. Theodore Tiltou, Roscoe
Cankng, Colonel Robert Engersoll, Hon.
John Wentworth, Senator Morton OF indi-
ana, Horatio Seymour, George Fl. Pendleton,
Charles Francis Adams, Carl SchurZ, and
Emery Storrs, all Of whom promptly re.
spopded, expressing their regards for the
compliment of the isritation, but their bust.
ness arrangements were such that they could
not comply.
Considering what golden opportunity
was presented US to assist in the good Work
of reconciliation, and believing that If Bos-
ton, the cradle OF our liberties. could invite
the notorious Toombs to defend the accursed
system of negro slavery by his ablest ar.
guments in Faneuil HILL, the good people
of Winnebago county could exercise their
forbearance at least in listening to an agrl.
cultural address from the able ex-President.
Far be it from my thoughts to insult or
utrage the moral sense OF this community,
to which Quarter of century has Douno
me with ties Of pleasing and imperishable
associations. If have erred in the exercise
of the privileges Of my office, it is because l
have misinterpreted the clemency, hospital
ity. and magn4nimity Of our citizens. 1
Weld to none in my admiration of our coun.
trv and its glorious institutions, in my honor
to the soldiers who defended our liberties,
and nv dsapprobation for the men who
would cast dishonor upon our flag.
But can Rockford afford to be less gener-
ous than South CaroIiua? In having its
LOYALTY and hospitality put to the test can 1t
afford to incur the unfrlendy criticisms that
will be made over the entire country!
In the defence of the rights OF "iree
speech" and every laudable effort 10 oury
sectional animosities and restore order,
prosperity, and harmony between the North
and South, no opposition can blauch my
cheek, and no menaces can make me quail.
But in the discharge Of ms duties am gov
erned BIZ the honorable Board OF Directors,
and their wisdom will be my guidance.
II. P. KIMBALL, Secretary.