The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-22
Gen. Mat w. Ransom Called to Preside Makes
a Magnificent Opening
Speech.
ymEellTs F1rg1s~
GOV. AYCOCK'S WELCOME
First Day Great Success Real Farm
ers Here From All Over the
State---Coming in by
Every Train.

Several hundred real farmers are here In
convention. and it means much for the
State, for they represent all portions of it,
from the seacoast to the mountains.
Yesterday, the first day of the conven-
ton. was a memorable day for North Caro-
lima. AS Gen. Ransom said in his brilliant
opening address, it was the birthday OF
agricultural improvement in North Caro-
lima.
At IL o'clock the farmers and their wives,
for many ladies were here too, together
with a large number of the teachers at
tending the Summer School, and people
from Raleigh as well, had gathered in the
new auditorium of the Pullen Memorial
building at the A. and M. College
Gen. Ransom looked very feeble as he
walked into the hall. supported by Presi-
dent Geo. T. Winston. OF the A. and M.
College, but it was remarked that there
was the same old fire in his eyes.
The opening invocation was made by
Rev. w. C. Tyree. pastor of the First
Baptist church. of this city.
Then DR.. Winston stated that this con-
vention had been called by His Excellency
the Governor, Commissioner of Agricul
ture S. l.. Patterson. and Prof. C. w.
Burkett, Of the A. and NJ. College, for
the purpose of promoting the welfare of
the farming interests of North Carolina
through the fundamentally of education
along farming lines. 1t was. called for
no other purpose. There was no political
purpose IN it. 1t was not to invite for
eign capital to come in, for although that
capital would do a great deal to help our
resources, it was a fact that practically
all Of the resources Of North Carolina had
been developed By North Carolinians, with
home capital. While we have invited for
eign immigration, it yet remained fact
that not one-half OF enc per cent of our
people were foreigners. And we have IN
vited foreign capital, but OF that very lit
tie has come in. So we have left educa-
ton. education fer each generation. That
is the fundamentally we must look to.
Then DR.. Winston spoke of General
Ransom, saying we had invited one to pre-
side over this meeting, who was one of
the foremost citizens of the State, whose
public life may be said to have begun
from the hour that he delivered his grad
uating grafton at the University of North
Carolina.
It was peculiarly source of gratifca-
ton that this convention would be pre-
sided over by one who was spending his
last days in cultivating the soil. 1t might
not be inappropriate to compare his re-
firement TO his farm to the life of George
Washington at Mt. Vernon. For was not
General Ransom first in war, first in
peace and first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen?
GEN. RANSOM'S SPEECH.
Then DIR. Winston presented the famil-
lar form Of the aged warrior and states
man.
An ovation greeted General Ransom as
he arose.
He said in part:
81 am deeply sensible and ! trust SIN
cerely grateful for having the high honor
Of presiding over this assembly Of repre-
sentative farmers of our beloved State.
That I am embarrassed In speaking to
YOU today must be expected. This scene
these objects surrounding me overcome
me almost. This great college, these
great buildings, these trees, the Governor
Of the State. the great president OF this
college. the representative farmers OF the
State are all here. The last time sa"