The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-11-01

THE DAILY DISPATCH.
wEDNEsDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER J, ,s4
~ See fourth page for the report Of The.
President of the State Agricultural Society
unlimited at the meeting Of Monday night.
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TIE rAIR.--Yesserday Was the FIRST day Of
The second Annual Exhibition Of the Virginia
state Agricultural Society. None but mem
hers and their families were admitted; but
these were so numerousthat the grounds pre-.
scented thronged appearance. The crowd
too was one which was remarkable for pecu-
liarities that are seldom met with in multi
tudcs. An assemblage SO distinguished for
its manliness and intelligence, or SO inter-
spersed with fair forms and beautiful faces,
is sight in mans lifetime.
The day was actively spent in examining
the animals and articles on Exhibition. The
Judges were faithfully discharging their du
ties and settling the claims of competitors
for premiums.
To-day the vast assenblage which has been
accommodating here since Friday last, viii be
admitted to the grounds; and we anticipate
that it will perhaps be the largest convention
of people-and they the true bone and sinew,
the mind and strength of the State-that ever
met in Richmond.
The Exhibition is very admirable one,
and the zeal displayed by the many persons
met here from all parts of the State in Agri-
culture is most encouraging. Such displays
and such assemblages, with the interchange
of opinions and information they bring
about, must rebound to the lasting benefit
and Improvement of the State.
THE SHIP Dock AND THE LocKs.-In 8
brief paragraph, yesterday, we spoke of these
great works, and advised strangers by all
means to 90 and see them. They would be
an honor, not only to any State, but any
country in the world. A very intelligent
Northern gentleman, who, in the pursuits OF
commerce, has visited every part OF the
world, lately expressed his establishment to
us, that Virginians had SO little to say about
q work, which, in his opinion, had not its
equal on this side of the Atlantic, and which
for the massiveness and beauty of the mate
rails and execution, he considered superior
to the famous docks of Liverpool.
This noble achievement shows what Fir-
ginia can do when she puts her shoulder to
the wheel, and gives glorious promise of the
future. The sagacity, enterprise and energy
which accomplished this great undertaking,
will yet overcome mountain barriers, push
the James River Canal to the Ohio, and
make Virginia the Empire State of the
South.
Ex-Governor BRIGHT, of Indiana, now
U. S. Senator, arrived in this city on Monday
evening last. He is at present sojourning
with his friend, DIR. Tucker.
FAIR OF THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
The Fair of the Virginia Mechanics Institute was
opened last night The event was one of the most
triumphant and universally gratifying that ever &C.
Cured In this city, and 1t drew together audi
ence that filed the great upper hall and partially
the two extensive lower show rooms. The scene
in the upper saloon was very brilliant one indeed
The bright light the numerous superb paintings on
the walls and the gay audience that wound Its way
along examining the fine works of art exposed to
view, together formed an array that was indeed adj
mirable.
AT quarter past eight o'clock Mr. JOHN A. BEL
VIM President Of the Society announced the open
ing Of the Exhibition, briefly referring to the short
time since the society had come into operation and
what it had done in that brief time. He expressed
the gratifcation he and those who acted with him
felt ct getting the exhibition at least under way and
trusted 1t would meet the appreciation and support
of their fellow citizens. He then introduced to
the audience Mr.. OLIVER F. BALDWIN, who deliv.
cred ouening address of the exhibition in r.
ly the following words:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
rise to congratulate you upon the establishment
of the Virginia Mechanics Institute, and upon the
witness this day. shall not detain you by long
speech from the silent but more efficient and persua
sive eloquence olthose beautiful productions of the
skill and ingenuity of the human mind by which we
are surrounded. ! congratulate you upon the en-.
ergy and public spirit which have been displayed
by the mechanics of Richmond In founding this no
bic institution. congratulate you that 10 the State
Agricultural Society and the Virginia Mechanics
Institute, this old Commonwealth has begun a ca
reer of practical improvement, which, If followed
out with the wisdom and in the spirit in which Ii
has been 1egun will prove sure a precursor of
her future greatness the first streaks of day are OF
the coming SUM- Suffering from her neglect of home
concerns and sinking almost to the ground from
the msappication of her whole energies to matters
of federal concern, the State Agricultural Society
will enable her to rise, like Antaeus, refreshed
from her contact with the earth Fallen from the
high eminence on which she stood, the car of her
prosperity has descended almost to the foot of the
hill and in vain have her orators made fine speech.
to the car, extolling Its workmanship and eulo.
giving its ancient progress; and In vain have her
Legislators declared that the must go up again.
and hiched strong resolutions to ii, and labored to
pry it out of the mud with convincing logic and
cracked over it the whip ofstinging invective The
car still sticks obstinately fast, but let US attach to
1t the locomotive power Of mechanical industry,
and see if 1t does not travel like thing of life. 10
the very top OF the Blue Ridge of wealth and great
ness and ccnsmand view from the mountain sum
init more beautiful aud magnificent than that which
from the height OF Pisgah greeted the great prophet
aud law-giver of Israel
1t Is the design Of the gentlemen who have estab.
llshed this Institute, by Offering incentives to the
development of mechanical ingenuity, by lectures
and alibrary, by annual exhibitions 10 perfect the
Industrial pursuits and elevate the industrial class
esof Virginia, to build up in this Commonwealth
great Temple Of Industry, 1t whose affairs Toll and
Skill shall be the ministering Priests which
shall dispense blessings and happiness to the
whole community. and be an acceptable struc.
turo IN the eye Of Him who was the great
Architect of the Universe, and who, when He
came to earth-took. not upon him the form
Of princes, but % the son of q carpenter made
labor royal and divine This hall In which we are
gathered, we hope will hereafter be crowded with
mechanics Of Virginia, listening to lectures from
the learned and eminent men upon the principles
and facts Of Science, and upon Agriculture. Ne
chanics, md Manufacturing Industry: that here
collection Of books will be gatheredin which where
sids BY sids with Die wonders made efliving hands