Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-09-22
Vermont State Fair.

ment. The show Of cattle, and Horses in par
ticular, was better than previous years. The
principal object OF attraction was the address of
Gov. Banks on Thursday, and the annexed pre-
miums. Col Ncedham, to whom was allotted
the duty of introducing the speakers. made
very happy Introductory speech, for which, and
Gov. Banks address, We are indebted to the
Times.
Col. Needham spoke, in substance, as fol
lows:
This vast multitude gathered from all sections
of our state and from many of the sister states
of our great confederacy, attests the interest
manifested in the great objects of our society
the promotion of Agriculture and the
Mechanic Art There was time when agri-
culture was poor and neglected but that time
has passed away. Art and Science have come
to its aid, and by their powerful arms have
elevated it to the dignity OF the highest position
among the professions. The old wrought.irJn
plow, heavy and expensive has given place to
the light and beautiful cast iron one which by
its cheapness has been brought within the reach
scythe have gwen place to the reaper and the
mower--and the genius and skill OF tho nation
has contributed and is still contributing to the
elevation of this great foundation Of our nation
al prosperity while its hand maid science is
contributing the resources of the hidden and
mysterious agencies of nature to our general
wealth The geologst with his hammer and
the chemist with his crueible are turning the
deserts of sand and the mountains of rock into
mines of fertilization MS valuable as the guano
Of the islands of the Pacific.
Although we are vast confederacy yet each
State has its own natural peculiarites depen,
dent upon its respective soil climate and people.
Vermont has hers and as we look about upon
this multitude of splendid horses and these pens
of finely shaped and beautifully wooded sheep,
may we not flatter ourselves that climate and soil
are SO happily adapted to the raising of these
animals that none of our sister states will ever
be able to compete with us in their production.
Not only have art and Science come to the aid
Of agriculture but men of all professions from
the anvil and forge, from the Office and the
bench and from the Legislative and executive
halls, come annually to these great gatherings to
do it and themselves honor. The retired Mer-
chant busy in improving the stock of the
country, sparing neither money or labor in the
importation of valuable breeds from foreign
lands is with us to day repr .senting the Agri-
cultural interests of the great State of New
York, in the person of the Hon. Geo. Vail.
The Army stops in it march of successful
resistance to tyranny and oppression and pays its
passing salute to us in the person Of that
distinguished and world renowned chieftain
Maj Gen. JOHN E. Wool.
And from the Executive hall comes the chief
magistrates of neighboring state to offer us his
congratulations in the person of Gov. BANKS of
Mass. whom now have the pleasure of intro
ducing to you.
At the conclusion of this appropriate in
troductory, Gov. BANKS rose, amidst enthusiast
tic cheering and waving of handkerchieis, and
advanced to the front of the platform. Order
being restored, the Governor prefaced his Ad-
dress with very handsome and complimentary
allusion to the scene by which he was literally
surrounded. He spoke of the fact that the first
Colonists of Vermont, at Fort Dummer. were
Massachusetts men, and that at the period Of
the colonization, Fort Drummer was claimed tc
be on the soil of Massachusetts,. Then, said the
eloquent orator, this part of the prosperous
State of Vermont, OVERLOOKING as it is to-day
with the wealth of her Agriculture productions
and the evidences of her freedom and refined
civilization, was a wilderness no,u | would tt
God it were Il portion of the Commonwealth Of
Massachusetts, Exhibiting the manuscript Of
of his Address, which he held in his hand. Gov
Banks begged his auditory not to be alarmed
by its formidable appearance. If he could not
rush through it with the speed of Ethan Allen
he would engage to come to time in 60 minutes
and he did.
Gov. BANKS has splendid physique, and his
voice is OF wonderful compass and power. Asa
rhetorcian, he is almost unequalled; and il
was easy for the thousands who saw and heard
him to understand how he has gained the high
reputation of being the best Speaker of Congress
since HENRY CLAY.-Our own opinion is thai
he is constructed ,oithom nerves though witt
limltless nerue lie is our idea of what Holmes
calls
I" Genuine solid, old Teutonc pluck;" z
and we should like to see the result of his having
been " entered for a premium" at Magenta OF
Solferino Our impression is that Victor
Emanuel, no bad show ola plucky man, woult
figure ''second best in the record. Gov. BANKS
at 80 years ofage, is about the best sample of q
'leader' that we euer saw. He has been un
lucky IN his antecedents," as muscular mer
like him are apt to be,-but he exhibits a
wonderful recuperativc power, and .Oe have ne
tenable objection to see him President of th
Union. You may bet your life, dear reader
that he would be the principal man in hi
Cabinet! He neither shuts his mouth, MOI
opens it, " for nothing" He is representa-
tive man" and it is g worth while to keep ar
eye on him
Gov. BANKS address was on Agriculture
Festivals, their history and import, and by tn
kindness of the accurate and obliging Reporte
for the Boston Journal, Mr. CoFFIN, we are
able to present to our reader pretty ful
abstract Of it as follows
GOV BANKS ADDRESS.
The origin and growth of popular institution
is study Of public interest. 1t is only b,
tracing an idea from its origin to its complet
Development following it from its Inauguration
in barbara life, through constant TRANSITIONAL
tions as it enters advanced conditions of societ,
until it develops its influence and the extent Q
its power in the highest periods of civilization
that we can thoroughly comprehend tn
character of a popular idea, and measure ii
influenced value among the arbitrary power an
me puldf' 1irSoIUS,s iinddssiia
exhibitions justly attract large share of public
attention in both hemispheres. The Industrial
Exposition Of the worlds wealth has q histor,
of its own, and is as firmly established by it
triumphs as the principle Of Government itself
1t began with the organization Of society, ant
found its first flash of honor in the feeble effort:
of agriculture in its primitive condition, tt
breathe the breath of life into its first offspring
the trade of individuals, and the commerce o
nations. The industrial exhibitions of modern
times had their origin in the trading fairs of TIN
earliest civilization. In this connection, thu
state of Roman society," arts, and agricultur
and trade, was enlarged upon, and the en-
couragement given by modern governments.
Originally established to secure advantages
afforded by stated and convenient markets, tn
ancient fair was encountered with all the re
strictions which the watchful jealousies of Ia
calties and trade could invent. They exclude