416 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the Cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture, who took equal 

 rank with other recognized members of the Presidential 

 Cabinet ; that this national influence liad stimulated State 

 and other local interests in every part of the Union. I con- 

 cluded my address in the following words: "The great 

 underlying principle of agriculture is knowledge, and to 

 maintain and develop that, America depends upon its public 

 schools. Civilization demands universal education, and the 

 growth of civilization is hastened and maintained by the 

 individuality of our people." 



His Honor Mayor McDonough gave an address in behalf 

 of the city, in which it appeared that elaborate preparations 

 had been made by the city of Savannah and all the organized 

 bodies of the city, in their art, humane, philanthropic and 

 educational capacities, securing an opportunity for the visi- 

 tors to see and learn of the present and future outlook of 

 this enterprising metropolis. 



It was my privilege to deliver the first advertised address, 

 which related to "Interstate dependence of business rela- 

 tions." Beginning Avith the Indian trail and foUowino; the 

 common roads of New England from the cart-path stage to 

 turn])ikes, from turnpikes to canals, from canals to railroads, 

 I undertook to establish that in proportion to the convenience 

 and facility of locomotion and transportation had humanity 

 developed in its commercial, educational and mercantile 

 relations. 



Gentlemen from Mississippi, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Flor- 

 ida, Iowa, Kansas, and other States more or less distant 

 delivered addresses upon the importance of constructing 

 State and national highways, establishing communication for 

 vessels of larg-e tonnao-e from the Great Lakes to the Gulf 

 of Mexico, and the connection of the general government to 

 the State in matters involving schools and colleges for 

 scientific culture. 



One entire day was given to a trip to the Atlantic Ocean 

 by the way of the Savannah River, on the steamer " City of 

 Macon." As the steamer passed down the river for the first 

 three miles a line of ocean ships and river craft gave a con- 

 tinuous salute by steam whistles and other demonstrations, 

 while flags of every nation floated from stem to stern on 



