Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-21
The Benefits of Agricultural Fairs.

The utility of agricultural Fairs, or of periodical
exhibitions of the products of the earth and of hui
man skill and ingenuity, has ceased to be questioned.
Both in Europe and America these exhibitions have
contributed greatly to improve the soil, to stimulate
labor. and to advance the mechanic and fine arts All
interests, indeed, have been benefited and this would
have been the result if the interests of the farmer
alone had been promoted for nothing is more true
than that society," with all its qualifications and de-
Tendencies, improves retrogrades just in proper
ton as farming prospers or languishes. All wealth
is drawn from the earth, whether it is brought out
in gold and silver or in that which sustains life
"Sefrespect, and certain degree of intelligent en-
thusiasm"-said Paul C. Cameron, Esq, of Orange,
in bis excellent address before the Orange County
Agricultural Society," essential to all the pur
suits of life 70 none is it more important than to
the farmer and the mechanic. They best honor
themselves by honoring their calling. They must
pride themselves in their plain and bomely duties;
they must know that their daily work is accomplish
ed with the best intelligence and earnest wish to
attain the highest standard of excellence; that the
products Ct their fields, workshops, mills, looms and
diaries shall not be surpassed far as their efforts
are not controlled by the laws of nature" Agricul-
tural Societies and agricultural Fairs great pro-
moters of this " intelligent enthusiasm"-of this
laudable ambition to excel. Farmers, mechanics,
and artizans these occasions the results ofthe
abors and the skill not merely Of one farm or of one
workshop, but of numbers of farms and workshops
They observe they enquire they compare, and then
judge for themselves, rejecting what is deemed i'm
perfect and accepting their own, and as portion
of their stock of knowledge, whatever may appear
to be an improvement on former modes of culture
and former exhibitions of skill. They return to
their homes in most cases with more solid informa-
ton, with more intelligent enthusiasm" than they
brought with them and even when this is not SO,
what they see and hear renders them at least more
thoughtful and more inclined to make efforts for ad.
yapcement and improvement in their respective
callings. Thoughtful did We say Faye, show US
thoughtful man in any business of life, and we will
show YOU, in nine instances in ten successful man.
Our Yankee friends, we know, Calculate" They
"calculate" every thing. Their sterile soils and
their long hard winters have had remarkable agen
cy in sharpening their wits and acquainting them
with arithmetic. We do not blame them for it. We
reckon"-we "calculate" that Jonathan deserves
credit for his economy and thrift and should be
glad to all our people, and especially those en-
gagged in the active pursuits of life think while JON
athan - calculates" and take of the dimes while
he takes care of the cents
We trust that the State Fair, which will COM
mence here to-day, Tuesday, will be superior in
cry respect to those of former years. If it should
not be at least equal then will the friends Of the
Society have real cause for regret. Last year the
weather was unproptious; now it promises to be all
that could be desired But is too late now to spec
uate as to what should what might have been
here Whether the exhibition be meagre full, let
every one in any way connected with the Fair de-
termine on prompt and thorough performance of
duty. Let every article be thoroughly examined by
the appropriate Committees, SO that justice may be
done to exhibitors-justice to ALTO the modest,
the unnfuental, and the unpretending equally with
the influential and the wealthy. The States bounty
has been bestowed upon this cause, and the State is
emo respecter of persons" Her children are here
this week. with the products of their fields and the
workmanship of their hands. They have brought
their choice specimens to be Judged by the Commit
tees. They proud of these specimens. They
have thought of them and toiled over them for
months. Do not pass them carelessy, or examine
them as to pronounce erroneous Judgment
Let merit be considered and rewarded. That young
woman,-Mr. Benton says scoman is the word, and
not lady,-that young woman-''is she handsome p
What Of that Sir ?-what difference does it make il
she is or is not handsome? That young woman has
placed on one of the tables in Floral Hall piece Of
beautiful embroidery. "Who is she?" What Of
that, Sir? You never heard of her, you say. Very
well that is her work. 1t is very fine Her fin
gers were busy with it while you slept, and her eyes
sparkled when she thought it would obtain premi
I'm. Let merit be considered and rewarded. Ant
there is an honest mechanic, who offers a specimen
of bis skill. He is worthy, and therefore modes
man. He can labor for months in making some
thing to exhibit at the Fair, and he may be ever
eloquent in his earnest talk with his immediate
friends about this child Of his hands-this produc
Of his tortured thought; but he cannot run afte
Committees, or praise extol his own work tt
strangers Judge him justly. Let merit be consid
ed and rewarded.
And now, gentlemen of the Committees, judge u
justly also. Wemean nothing in the slightest degree
disrespectful by these remarks. We have the hono
ourselves to be on one of the Committees, and VI
shall try to do our duty, as we know you will Fa
be it from us to think even of lecturing you, or
advising you as to the manner in which you shou!t
discharge your duties But We have heard com
plants at former Fairs from worthy persons who's
articles have been overlooked and as friend of tn
Society and of equal justice to all exhibitors, VI
have called attention to the subject in ADVANCE
We thought some one should do this, and thinkn,
So We concluded the press might as we'll take tn
responsibility and do so at once. Much of the use
fulness OF such exhibitions depends upon the man
ner IN which they conducted. We know it i
impossible to please every one, and no wise or con
sderate person will attempt it. But the State Faf