The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-19
THE VITICULTURISTS.
AMERICAN wINEmAKERS In MA
TIONAL CONVENTION.
The Superiority Of the Home Prod
net over ROreiga ImpOrtatiOns-
Officers Elected.

WASHINGTON, May 1S.-The Ma.
tional Viticultural Association ae-
sembied TO day and the Commissioner
of Agriculture delivered the opening
address. He said in part: ut was
not so much the consideration of the
importance OF the grape in connection
with its dietary aud domestic uses AZ
in the manufacture Of pure American
wines and the protection OF them from
adulteratsd compounds that this ma
tional convention wa called. As a
nation we may well feel proud OF what
we have accomplished ia the last fly
yesrs, dating back to the early begin
ming at Cincinnati and other sections.
We can produce wines even now
which can enter into competition with
the choicest vintuges Of Europe, where
wine making hes been followed for
thousands Of yeare, and has been los
tered and encouraged by government
aid. Here the industry has had to
take care OF itself, and it has grown
up and made its way by the simple
pluck and energy OF its followers. Not
only this, but We have had our best
brands presented to the public under
French and other foreign labels, and
only the indifferent ones presented as
American wines. But we have grown
strong enough now to insist on our
rights and TO stand on our own merits.
And to promote this new order OF
things this National Vitcul,u al Com
vention has been called. We claim
admittance and recognition among the
nations OF the earth as a wlne-produc-
ing countryside fairtst aud greatest
the Creator has made. We are the
rivals and successful competitors in
the greatest markets Of the world with
most every other product of indus
try and ekill, agricultural and mecban-
les. We also want to be in the cause
of true temperance. We want TO fur.
nish the nations with the cheapest,
the most wholesome and beneficial
beverage pure wine from the grape
We want 10 give the American people
American wine--if they use wine at
without adultera ion. Americans
ought to drop the false pride which
causes them to think that they
ought TO have something "far-
fetched aud dear bought" when at the
festive board. They should encourage
home industry, discard French labels
and French pr ces for home products
when a thorough trial has proved
American produces the superior. A
part, at least, Of the imported wines
are inferior in purity aud quality to
our California product. 1t Is certain
that California products have been
fought in foreign markets, and almost
equally certain that ZONE have been
returned either mixed or manufact.
ured under foreign name. II Is evil
dent that time and use will educate
the taste for native wineF, aud that
impoita ion will decline and expoita.
ton advance by rapid strides, keeping
AT home the money paid for foreign
villages, which amounts 10 over ST.
600, 600 per annum In the last Ave
years, and bringing still larger annual
revenue fIom the export trade"
Thespeaker atsome length described
the methods Of manufacture and the
component parts OF adultsrated wines,
and concluded as follows: "The bran
dies of California are pure ndinfuitely
superior to the dets stable ooncoc tons
that bear foreign brands end are marked
at prices that are at once q means
of deception aud a source Of fiaudu.
lent income. II Is the statement OF |
M. Girard, chief OF the Municipal Lab
raiory Of Paris, that forty yeats ago |
seven-eighths OF the brandy was pure,
but that Of 50,000,000 gallons now pro-
duced annually not one per cent. OF it |
is fiom grapes, grain, heets, potatoes,
etc, being its principal sources. In |
view OF this ttstement this fact, IS 1t |
is recognized TO be, what folly it Is TO |
discriminate against native production |
aud endanger the public health TO
justify sentimental recollection OF
the virtues Of the primitive oognac."
The Commits, ioner also spoke of the |
rapid growth OF the Iaisin industry OF |
California aud predicted for 1t most |
SUE celsful future.
Tue following officers were elected: |
President, Charles A. Wetmore OF |
California; B. T. Clayton Of Florida,
secretary. Members OF the Viticul- |
tural G ,uncil: Us, Newman OF Ala
bama, I. ]. Rose and II. W. Crabb of |
California, d. Cook OF Missouri, A. w.
Pearson Of New jersey, G. II. Dewey, |
ID. Bander and ]. W. Davis Of New |
York, the Hon. W. ]. Green Of North |
Caroline, ]. ]. Lucas Of South Caro- |
lima, g. W. Clmpbell of Ohio, I. V.
Muuson OF Texas, M. 0. Randall OF |
Tenn, II, 7. Lyman Of Virginia, the
presidential secretary being ex, Ofiiclo |
members Of the council.