The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-11-25
gold; that their farmers have di~appout

ments and failures as we'll as our own.
Don't understand however, that am
in any wise opposed to agricultural edu
cation, or that l would belittle its use. in
any way.
/ In conclusion, word more about this
/ society. 1 think it has done something
| in the direction of developing our agri.
| cultural interest. both by our annual
| fairs and by our Joint Summer meeting.
| do not think the society is thoroughly
understood by our farmers at large.
They don't seem to understand that it is
purely an agricultural organization.
They have been misled or have mislcd
themselves in believing that it is more of
a political concern, whereas this is an
entire mistake and want of proper infor'
nation. l can simply say to you who are
members Of the society, its record is
before our farmers. They may or may
not appreciate your efforts in advancing
and developing the agricultural, industri-
al and mechanical interests of our whole
State. Your mission is 10 educate. to
lead and to elevate the intellectual and
industrial pursuits of your different sec.
tions, and you will be remiss in your
trust if you neglect any opportunity to
increase The usefulness of this society.
& 1t is your duty to make it the
exponent of all the progress, advance.
ment and intelligence of your avocations.
1t is for you to limit or increase its radical
point; see to it that the State Agricultu-
raj and Mechanical Society Of South
Carolina is a true reflex of the agricutu-
raj manners, habits and education OF
your constituency, and it devolves upon
you to raise the standard to the highest
degree of American civilization. l say,
again, your efforts may not be appreciat'
ed, but your childrens' children will reap
the benefit. was very forcibly struck,
in reading an article recently that spoke
of two classes ofmen (discoverers by land
and sea and pioneers in new fields OF
tillage and commerce) who though
almost invariably distinguished for great
and good qualities, seldom realized an
adequate return for their services to their
country and to mankind. The discover
ers of the three greatest rivers of the
world were cited as examples. Fernando
de Soto was the first Thite man who
explored the banks of the Mississippi
and saw that "father of waters" roll
beneath the boughs of the primeval forest
to the sea. But few days after his
passage of the mighty stream he bad
ceased to live; his body 10 conceal his
death from his enemies, was wrapped in
his mantle and at hour Of midnight was
silently sunk in the middle of the cur
rent. The Wanderer," says Mr.. Ban
croft chad crossed large portion of the
continent in search of gold and found
nothing so remarkable as the place of
his burial"
Francisco de Orellana, striking a stream
that wound itself along through the rag
ged passes of the Peruvia Andes, built a
mere raft of green wood, launched it
and drifted with the current. Onward it
bore him through plains and for its
mountain gorge and fertile valley, ever
growing deeper and wider till at the end
of seven months and at a distance OF
four thousand FIVE hundred miles his
frail and rudely constructed vessel felt
the heaving and his experienced eye sur
veyed the great expanse of the Atlantic
Ocean. He called the river Amazon.
Marvellous was the adventure and i'm
mortal the fame. But ten years later the
discoverer perished in an expedition de-
signed to locate and further explore the
river, whose course he had followed from
its birth in the mountains to its death in
the sea.
In 1915, Juan Deas de Soils, crossing
the equator and steering boldly to the
south, 10 the teeth Of the terrific gales
which sweep northward from the latitude
of Cape Horn, entered what he perceived
to be the mouth of great river and find
ing or hoping to find silver among its
sands, called it Ell Rio de la Plata. But
venturing ashore few day after the dis
covery he was put to death by the native
sayages.
These three explorers died at the
height Of their career in poverty and dis
appointment.
Posterity, however, was to reap incal,
culable advantage from their adventures
and su6erings. Harvests of grain and
cotton are now gathered in the valley Of
the Mississippi more valuable than the
produce of the mines of Golconda. Har.
vests of fruit, corn and cotton are to Ee
gathered in the valley of the Amazon
worth more than all the gold that streak
the mountains whence the river flows
And from the far-reaching plains of La
Plata's basin supplies of meat and wool
might be drawn in quantities sufficient to
meet the necessities Of more than hall
the world.
So, indeed, might We say about this
society. 1t has been for years doing a
quiet, earnest work in the introduction
Of new seed, improved implements, thor
oughbrel cattle, horses and poultry, ETC.,
and posterity will yet rise up and call
you blessed.