The Van Buren press., 1875-08-31
Jefferson Davis.

Inc IolioHlng - ex-Fresident DAVIS
letter declining the invitation to address
the Winnebago Agricultural Society.
The excellent temper throughout the let
ter commends to all:
HY p. KIMBALI, SECRETARY OF THE WIN.
NEBAGo COUNTY AGRICULTURAL Socla-
TY, RocKroRp, lii
Dear Sir: yesterday sent to you
telegram announcing my revocation OF
the conditional acceptance of the invita-
tion to address your association 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 II duty t. the
board and myself that u sufficient expla
nation should be given OF this change of
purpose.
REASONS FOR ACCEPTANCE.
Three objects main.y inuucsd me to
accept the invitations:
First-The hope tlsat personal inter.
course might remove some of the preju.
dices which had been ensendered by par
tlsan factions and nurturcd by individual
and sectional hate, and now. as in former
years, to promote the interests of our
great Valley ofthe Mississippi, believing
that with mutual confidence and cointel
/ ligencc, much could be done for their adj
vancement. l only delayed nv accept
ance OF your invitation until it became
reasonably probably that It could be met
in the same spirit
WANTS OF THE NO4sTuwEsT
The productive capacityqof the North
west needs for Rs desesQpment cheaper
and safer transportation To- the markets
OF the Southwest, aud also to those of
foreign countries. In England especial
ly 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 Hus
bandry in your rich and prosperous sec
ton, 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 re-
turns to farmers and by such conference
to learn the views of one member Of the
family Of the Mississippi valley fami
ly the chief interest of which is Agricul
tire, but the eutivators of such various
crops as to make trade among themselves
extensive and lucrative. while it stamps
upon each aud all the same interest and
the same policy as to their foreign trade.
70 render such conference effectual. there
must needs be a disposition to attend to
ly It is not my purpose to smother it by
the intcrposition of matter having no
just relation to it.
REASON FOR WITHDRAWING THE ACCEPT
Secondary effort was to recognize
the courtesy Of your board, and was en-.
couraged to believe that your reception
of me would be beneficial, rather than
injurious to your association. This was
tho more supposablc because several
other agricultural societies of Illinois had
in like manner invited me to address
their annual meetings. Yesterday re-
ceivcd printed paper, il, being protest
of number Of your fellow countrynen
against the action, Of your board in their
invitation to me 10 make the annual adj.
dress at It's county meeting Ihercupon
sent to you telegram or the with
drawal of Ey acccptanceof the invitation
under the conviction that,t would not be
useful or agreeable to participate in the
meeting; and now hope that neither
yonr association or the directors will suf-
fer harm by delay in procuring an ora
tor, or BY the correspondence which has
caused it.
PERSONAL ASPECT OF THE NATTER.
Thrd-My object was to crafty a
wish long entertained to see in its culti-
waited dress a county knownto me as q
trackless wilderness, bat that being mere
ly personal qualification it may be in.
dulgcd at any convenience or postponed
indefinitely. can we'll believe that the
cause which has changed my purpose
was as unforeseen by you as by me, and
you may be assured that feel no dissat-
isfaction toward the directors and your
self, and have suffered no personal en-
barrassment from the event. as the invi-
tation was unexpected and only accepted
as an expression OF general good will.
SO my only regret is the loss OF an op-
portunity to promote a public interest
with which the welfare Of your commu-
nifty is identified
! again express the hope that neither
the directors or yourself may suffer inju-
ry or annoyance. and thanking you for
the kindness and consideration you have
manifested. ] am respectfully yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.