The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-12
An Appeal to the PcOplc.-Ahtiress to
virglniaIss by Major DreWry. Prcsi.
dent OF the Virginia Agriculture
kncjarv.
OFFICE OF THE VIRGINIA STATE

EirglniaHS by Ma Or Drewry. Prcsi.
dent OF the Virginia Agricultural
society.
OFFICE OF THE VIRGINIA STATED
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 7
RICHMOND, September !, 1917
| 10 the People Of Virginia:
! The near approach OF the next Fair Of the
state Agricultural Society suggests the pro-
prietr OF n brief appeal to you in behalf OF
| the Society. It's Fairs exert an important
influence on the material inter Of the
people, and its work in collecting and dis
| scmirating important information bearing
| on practical ericnlturc, horticulture, stock
breeding, manufactures, domestic economy,
! &C.. brings it in contact with and conSti-
tutcs it friend OF all efforts to advance the
arts Of civilization and the wealth OF the
| State.
It is not 4 corporation laboring for the
selfish ends OF corporations, but, from the
terms OF its constitution and charter, has 4
noble and disintcrested work to perform.
| With one exception
! TT HAS NO PAID OFFICERS,
and all its resources are devoted, IN the
words OF its constitution, to the "advance-
| mcnt OF agriculture and the auxiliary min
| ing and mechanical arts" 1t has the highest
claims, therefore, to the confidence and sup.
port OF all classes OF the community. The
| life-mcmbcrShip, which constitutes the cor
poratc strength of the organization and
regulates its affairs, should embrace men
and women from every county in the State,
and Of all occupations; and when brought
| together annually for q short recreation
from the labors OF year, for information
to be gained and acquaintance formed by
contact and association, for the inspection
and study OF the large display Of the pro-
! ducts OF the farm, garden, orchard, vineyard,
mines, and factories, of animals and poultry,
and OF the household arts, not one will re-
turn home without feeling Of satisfaction
that something has been gained, and with
out also
FEELING OF JUST PRIDE
| in the people and the resources Of the Com
monwcalth. Why, then, should just eXpcc-
tations be disappointed in respect to this
membership. The cost is small to each in
dividual, say twenty dollars in cash or five
dollars annually for five years. The aggre-
gate should be large, and would enable the
Society to expand its efforts for usefulness in
many ways. The last census shows that
there are in the State about eighty thousand
persons who are the owners OF farms, and
about twenty thousand more who are en-
gagged in mining, merchandise, manufac-
products OF agriculture. Now, il but one
in ten OF this number would identify him.
sell with the Society by becoming men,
ber upon the terms indicated there would
be ten thousand new members, bringing in
the aggregate
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS,
with reasonable annual increase, which
would afford an income sufficient to double
IL, ,o1 lief nj q
largely increase its means for the general
good in other respects, and each member ut
the same time have an ample consideration
for his expenditure. The privilege OF the
Fairs for the period Of his life, together
with his wife and children under twenty
one years OF age and unmarried daughters,
and his constituent voice in the general
management OF the Society, to say nothing
Of incidental and other advantages, furnish
valid and adequate equivalent for his out
lay. -... s..-
More than this, and better than all, each
member must feel that he is one OF num-
Der OF citizens who are devoted to the in
terest or our old State, and working in
practical way which will develop resources
alike bcneticent to private and public in
terest. '-,..-.- s.a.-
VIRTUE AND CREDIT.
The coming Fair promises to be one OF
the best since the war, or, indeed, in the
history OF the Society, and as a grand re-
union OF the best men and fairest women Of
the old Commonwealth it is an event to be
anticipated with pride and pleasure. Bear
in mind, however, that the great need Of
the Society is membership, which furnishes
the bond Of union and creates force and
means for its work. The people in every
county Of the State should organize club
| Of membership. and thus bring to bear IN
influence which will be felt and diversified
throughout the Commonwealth. With such
| local efforts to be concentrated in the So
ciety, the citizens OF all sections and all oc-
cupat1ons will be brought together not only
| in their annual rctnioDS, but III their daily
| thoughts and labors, which contribute to
| INDIVIDUAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL PROS
PERITY. :
The officers OF the Society expect large
attendance at the Fair and they will greet
and welcome all who may come; but they
earnestly hope that the question of member
ship will not be overlooked, as this more
than all else gives vigor and effect to all that
the Society is designed to accomplish.
1t gives me pleasure to add that on the
second day OF the Fair the annual address
will be delivered on the grounds by that dis
tinguished citizen and planter Governor
Hampton, Of South Carolina, and that Pre-
sident Hayes Will be present on that day,
and probably on the next.
The recent circumstances which have
brought these gentlemen so prominently
before the nation are familiar to oil, and
the satisfactory manner in which each has
discharged his public trust commends them
TO confidence, and the large assemblage OF
Vireinians on the occasion will be glad to
welcome and do them honor. II
A. II. DREwRY,
President OF the State Agricultural Society.