The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-05
Col. L. T.. Folks Address.

We wish every farmer in Buncombe
County could have heard the address
of Col. Polk. the Commissioner of the
North Carolina Agricultural Bureau,
which was delivered at the Court
House in Asheville, on Saturday last.
Without intending to be tlattering, we
declare it to have beer the best speech
or address that we have listened TO
since Edward Ruffin died. 1t was
purely an agricultural speech, inten
ded Tor the ear Of the farmer, and aside
from its entertaining and instructive
value, breathed such lofty patriotism
that our heart yearned toward HIM,
and every listener voted him the right
man in the right place. His depart
ment, under his able management, is
doing an immensely Of good for the
farming interests of the State, and he
is visiting the various portions of the
State to explain its workings and to en-
list the active cooperation of the peO-
pie. to make it even more efficient
than it now is. We are sorry we can
not give a synopsis of his address. To
attempt to do SO. would be doing him
and his theme injustice. He thorough
ly explained the workings of his De
partment convinced all of its utility
and worth and amid the dry statistics
he presented regarding the produc-
tions, &C., of the State, which has
been ascertained for the information
of the public, interlarded his remarks
with illusions that held his every hear
er spellbound. In fact his speech was
really eloquent and fairly glowed in
patriotic sentiment and we were sur
priSed and instructed, as well as de
lighted with it. We were surprised
that an Agricultural speech could be
made SO entertaining, and we were de-
lighted at the exhibit he made of
North Cardinals material greatness,
and instructed in many things, which
in our pride Of the knowledge Of the
State. we eve knew before.
In our opinion, nothing that has been
done by h lawmakers of the State
since the war, has been of more utility,
and has tended more to advance the
national interests of its every portion,
than the creation of the Agricultural
Bureau. and we have been fortunate in
securing a man not only of great abIli-
ty. but one whose whole heart is in his
work. He shows it in what he has &C.
complished and In the earneStness
with which he presents its claims. lie
truthfully says that the farming inter
ests consists of 81 per cent. of the N
tire population of the State and that
the creation of this Bureau is the first
project that has ever been adopted to
benefit the farming class. Under his
management it has already done a
| great deal of good, and if ~picayunish
demagogues will let it alone, and let
wise Legislators continue to foster and
protect it, by an increased liberality,
the advantages of the Department Will
be almost incalculable.
We again say that every man in
Buncombe who was not present lost
much by failing to hear the address,
and we hope, at no distant day, Col.
Polk will again visit US. and repeat his
address. His efforts and his depart
ment have our earnest and hearty sup
port, and it should have that of every
man who loves old North Carolina
God and the people speed him III his
noble work.-4she0iNe Pioneer Rep.