The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-14
v,ra,r,. Mechan,c, Institute.

M Nexs ,Sate Fdtr--A Saeagest'on TO the tottacu
Since the removal Of the State Agricultural Fair
10 Petersburg the Virginia Mechanics Institute Ia
lief, IN entire possession, 10 far as Richmond lie
concerned, OF large ficld Of usefulness, both TO
the community and the mechanical and agrieuitu
raj classes The Fair Of the Mechanics Institute
has always been an object Of great attraction,
and though occurring at the same tine, and In the
came city. with the State Agricultural Fair, has
attracted thousands nightly 10 Its interesting ex
hibI,iou., aud awakened the public mind, In some
MEASURE. to the Importance Of developing the me-
chauicai interests of Virginia. and educating the
Young mechanics Of the State
Nos that the State Agricultural Fair is remov-
ed the Virginia Mechanics Institute, like the
great Maryland Institute in Baltimore. and the
South Carolina Mechanical and Agricultural In
stitute in Charleston should prepare to extend its
operations, aud build up Ia Virginia an institution
which should bear creditable comparison with our
Maryland and south Carolina neghbors.
The location OF the State Agricultural Fair In
Richmond did not prevent other districts from
holding their local Fairs and it 10 not likely that
this city will consent to surrender both State and
local exhibitions of agricultural character
The two, however, might be advantageously COM
bued, aud under the auspices Of the Virginia Me-
chauics' Institute, a Fair be held In this city.
which will exhibit both mechanical and agricultu-
raj products, making Of the whole one OF the
grandest displays ever witnessed in Virginia
For this purpose the same grounds lately oecu-
pied by the State Agricultural Fair ought to be Oh
tanned from the City Council, and In this con-
neetIoD, We would respectfully suggest that that
body reconsider its resolution instructing the
Committee on Public Buildings and Public Grounds
30 sell the fixtures, &C., upon the Fair Ground il
does not follow by any manner of means that be-
cause the State Agricultural Fair has seen fit to
abandon this city, therefore Fair at all il to be
hereafter held 10 Richmond. On the contrary il
proper exertous now made by the friends Of
the Mechanics Institute, and these exertions re-
ceive the hearty and enlightened concurrence of
tbs City Council and the community. We may have
next fall the grandest Mechanical and Agricultu
raj display ever witnessed In the State of Virginia
We earnestly invoke the attention of the Council
and the citizens T. this subject. We trust the
COMMITTEES instructed to sell the fixtures, &C., on
the present Fair ground will exercise wise dis
erection and delay their action in the premises, so
ms to give the Council opportunity for mature
consideration of the subject One thing is certain,
we can have Just as fine Fair here next year, and
Just as many people we ever had before, if the
grounds and fixtures are permitted to remain as
at present, and the Mechanics Institute granted
che same privileges which have been generously
accorded to the State Agricultural Fair.
We also invoke the people of Richmond to at
tend to this matter. They too negligent of
their interests, and seem to take 1t for granted
that the golden fruit of fortune will drop into
their hands with no effort on their part. Itwould
have been easy enough to retain the State Agrcul-
tural Fair here, If any one had gone round with a
suha MT m aper and called a fl w husi
mesa men for assistance. The whole sum desired
could have been raised by private subscription in
half an hour. 1t is too late now 10 remedy the
neglect, but by concerted, energetic aud liberal
action, on the part of our citizens, accompanied
with the proper action the part of the Council,
we can have such an exhibition here next fall,
both in agriculture and mechanics, rs was never
before seen In the State Of Virginia. In New
York. when IL was proposed to erect the Crystal
Palace, and also in London, when the Worlds
Fair was suggested, heavy subscriptions were
made by the hotels, mercantile firms, &C. The
Aston House alone In New York subscribed IS 5000
to the Crystal Palace. Let our community act In
q similar spirit, and the results will be grand and
inspiring beyond anything that our imaginstions
at present conceive.
We need not say one word of the permanent
beneficial influence of great mechanical insti-
tute, like that OF Maryland. Such an establish
ment with Its schools for mechanics, its library,
lectures, philosophical apparatus, &C. would do
more for the elevation. development, wealth and
power of the State than all the paper resolutions
that have ever been written and all the Buncomb
speeches that have been ever delivered. No mo
ney need be asked of the City Council, and none.
in the present state of the public burthens ought
to be. That body has been liberal enough 10 the
State Agricultural Fair, giving it first and last
forty odd thousand dollars, and now that it has
left on account of the inability of the Council
TO continue its contributions, we don't desire to
any fresh demands made upon the public trea-
sury. If any money is needed, the citizens Of
Richmond Individually are the proper persons to
be called upon for aid We hear a great deal said
about Southern independence; here is a glorious
chance to prove our faith by our works. All that
We ask of the City Council is to leave the fixtures
on the Fair Ground for the use of d Richmond
Fair.