New-York tribune., 1875-08-20
JEFFERSON DA us.
NOT TO SPEAK IN ILLINOIS.

WHY HE ACCEPTED AND WHY lie THIN DECLINED
THE INVITATION TO ROCKFORD.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Aug. 19.-The following let
ter Of declnation Jefferson Davis TO the Secretary
of the wnnebago County Ill, Agricultural Society, is
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Aug. -, 1875.
HENRY B. KrMnALL, Secretary Of ne Win"ebaGo county
AQricuiturdi Society," rockford. H.
DEAR sIR: yesterday sent to you telegram an
nouncing my revocation OF my unconditional accept
ance OF the invitation To address your association at
their annual meeting in September next. The long pc
Rod which has elapsed since the receipt OF your first
letter and the consdc courtesy which has marked
your correspondence make it duty TO the Board and
inysef that sufficient explanation should be gwen Of
tins change of purpose Three objects mainly induced
me to accept the invitation.
inst: The hope that personal intercourse might re,
by partisan factions and Durtured by individual aud
ci ,e ineres O., onr great Valley Of ihs Msssp and
believing that with mutual confidence and coinlelgence
iayed my acceptance your nvliaton until it became
reasonably probable that cond be met The produc-
ent cheaper and safer transportation to the markets of
the Southwest and to those OF foreign countries In
for several Years past TO more direct and economical
trade with the Mississippi Valley In This connection
there WAS desire to confer with the Patrons Of Hus-
bandry your rch and prosperous section 10 discuss
with Them questions involved ia securing better means
of transporting products To the most favorable
markets. and OF providing agencies which should insure
larger returns 10 ireemen ana by such conference to
learn the views OF member Of the family of the
Mississippi Valleya family, the chief Interests Of ali
members OF which is agriculture, but culilvaors of
themselves extensive and lucrative, while stamps upon
each and all the interest and The same poicy 10
their foreign trade To render such conference efectua
must needs be disposition 10 attend to the sub
ect under consideration surey not To purpose to smother
II by the norpOsitiOn o atters baving o just relation
to Ii.
OF Board and was encouraged 10 believe that !Our
reception of would be beneficial rather tnan
TO your association This the more spposabebecause
eral OTHER agricultural societies OF Illinois had in
like invited me TO address their annual meetings
Yesterday received printed paper, IL beng protest
of a number of your ieowcountfyihcn against the nc
ton OF your Board In their invitation 10 me 10 make the
sInual address 70 the county meeting IhereuDon, !
sent to you telegram Withdrawing my acceptance Of
the invitation under the conviction that II would not be
useful agreeable 10 participate in the meeting, and
hOpe neither association nor the directors viii
sufer by the delay In procuring an orator. or by the
cOircsnondcnce which has caused IT,
Third The object to crafty wish long enter
tanned TO cultivated dress the country known 10
me As tiaekcss wilderness; but that being mere per
sonal gatDcati0n may be INDUCED In at any conve-
n nee or pos tponed indefinitely. can well believe that
the cause which has changed my purpose wss unore
seen by you by and you may be assured tna feel
no action towards the Directors yourself and
have suffered no personal embarrassment from the event.
as the unexpected and only acceptable
an expression of general good ~ill So my opy regret 10
the Of opportunity 70 promote the public interest
with which the welfare OF your coinpuDy identified
Again expressing the hope that neither che Directors
yourself may suffer injury or annoyance and thank