Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-19
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
BY FORREST W. BROWN, ESQ, AT NOR
CANS GROVE, SEPTEMBER 2, 1890.


days, we gather for the sixth time in
this delightful grove to renew our in
dividual acquaintances, to recall our
past associations, and to weave the
fibres of new and stronger friendships
for the future With a generous feel
ing of laudable rivalry, with a com
mon ambition for greater achieve
ment as a people, the best treasures
that seed time and harvest, skill! and
care, labor and attention have pro-
duced, we bring with one accord to
this great treasure house, that all may
see and profit, and that each from the
other may gather some suggestions,
some fresh conception for his benefit
hereafter.
On such an occasion it would seem
appropriate to recall the short but in
teresting and eventful history Of the
association that celebrates its sixth
anniversary to-day. Infant in years
though it be, it has about it the COM
pleted strength of glorious young
manhood. In its conception, in its
objects, in its management, its found
ers and promoters have exhibited and
exhibit that discretion that secures
success, that wisdom that invites con
fidence, and that patriotism and liber-
ality that command esteem. Hence
in six short years from the chrysalis
of attempt it has developed into the
fullness of accomplished fact.
These agricultural societies are to
localities what the great expositions
are to nations and empires-the vehi-
cles of information, the mediums of
advertisement, the stimuli to greater
exertion and the certain indexes of
needs and capabilities. Before the in
stitution of this society it was mat
ter Of profound regret, might say Of
acute modification, that no such or
ganization had been formed among
our people | believe that before the
great struggle between the North and
South an organization existed but for
twenty years after ''grim-visaged war
had smoothed its wrinkled front" for
two decades after our swords had been
turned into pruning hooks, when our
desolated fields had been long re-
stored to full fruition, for years after
our agricultural and mechanical in
terests had risen from their ashes and
our fertile lands blossomed once more
as the luxuriant rose, no such society
was attempted and the agriculturists
Of jefferson were enabled to exhibit
their teeming productions only as the
invited guests Of the citizens Of ad-
joining counties and States. For
these hospitalities extended to our
people we are all profoundly grateful,
not so much in the way of return, but
in the same spirit of generous frater-
nifty we extend a hearty welcome.
That the great county of Jefferson
had no such society, | repeat, was
subject of profound regret. Its peO-
pie had about them and within them
selves every requisite for successful
venture Since the ancient Law-Giver
looked on Canaan, no people had oc-
cupied a fairer land On our east
flows the beautiful Shenandoah, on
our north the noble Potomac-their
tributary streams interlace our ver-
dant valleys and wind among our
grassy hills, and the watered pas
lures are alive with we'll bred horses.
bleating sheep and browsing cattle,
scattered DER ten thousand hills and
dales. Toward the rising sun yon
mighty mountain range bounds our
eastern view, and on its sloping sides
could grow the fruits of various climes;
while as we watch the setting sun we
look on spurs and towering peaks OF
a still mightier mountain monarch,
which stands as a perpetual guard
against the devastating cyclone wind
and storm-and between these giant
ranges peerlessly arise the everlasting
hills and dells that form the entrance
to the far-famed Valley of the Shen-
andoah-a wondrous land, where an
cient forests await the woodman's axe
and the valued cereals grow with un-
diminished yield. Within her borders
are comfortable homes, intelligent
and enterprising people, well-tended
orchards, cultivated gardens; men OF
brain and nerve TO manage all the az
riculturist can know; women Of skill
and industry, tried and true, from
whose fair hands come unrivalled
gems in cookery and art.
With such advantages as these, it
was indeed to be regretted that with
in the limits of the county Of Jeffer-
son there was no means of exposition,
and six years ago the public-spirited
citizens of Shepherdstown and vicini-
ty, perceiving its necessity and per
suaded of its success, and with the
nerve TO do and dare, undertook the
task of organization. And we'll have
they performed that duty. Now be it
said in honor of their efforts, the
long-felt need has been abundantly
supplied The Morgan's Grove Exhi-
bition Society, stronger than its con-
ception, broader and more prosperous
than foreseen, at this its sixth ami
versary,> opens wide its welcoming