The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-10-22

operate upse ~ bu.san mind and influence hu
man Ac,ioa + shss e. riv1lry-ths thirst for ~,
peficsity o. csnpeGles. W have fsle Il,
foreo Whea " wesD ehildeens Ii has coasinued
with lscres1ing powef = innosucs ~ b ON
inatarer yeAzD.
Indifsrsas age and eenmuni.ies this feeling
of enulatie1 has Riseu tise % p1hifC exhibi-
tio1s where1 Is coul1 ~ tndnlgc8 j. 70 the fall-
est extent. and where Il could produce The
@ost striking effects. The Olympic games o.
tbees5ent world, and the tournaments Of more
modern times, furnish the most remarkable ex-
amples 81 this propensity and " consequence
These, though the outgrowths Of the temper
and civilization Of the times in which thye re-
spectively 6ourisbed. still, BY reflex operation,
produced most powerful effect upon the people
By whom they we're conntenanced and attended.
What the Olympic game was in the time Of an.
ciens Gfeece-what the tournament vas 10 the
middle age, that, TO . considerable extent, do
I hope the Agricultural Fair may prove in this
age and country. The former institutions were
indicative Of the warlike propensities Of the ages
in which they respectively fourished, and added
violence to the cause BY which they we're Gre
ated--the latter 10 the meet Representative Of
the ape when the sword has been beaten into
the pillow share and tho spear into the pruning
hook; when An agricultural millennium is about
making its advent, and when men shall learn
war no more. May this institution be made to
tell as powerfully upon the age il thus repre-
SCENTS % either Of the two former have done in
their time
Such institutions can only be made 10 -four
ish when in accordance with the general spirit
Of the age, aud with the tone and temper Of the
people. That the agricultural fair is Of this
character, il proved BY its success and BY It's
constantly increasing popularity. County, State
and National Fairs are becoming established in-
situations In this whole country. The militia
muster has ceased TO be the great object Of at
traction which it was in the days of our boy
hood, and the great anniversary Of the whole
year Is becoming the agricultural exhibition
Ia this the young and old, Of both sexes and Of
eve.y condition can equally participate. and are
every year manifesting an increasing interest.
Our ardent and ambitious young men will not
be slow in setting their sails to catch this popu>
lar breeze, land the avocati0n Of the farmer will
ere long, become profession and an object Of
ambition to the intelligent and the aspiring
When properly pursued it can bring to it's aid
as much learning and science, and furnish exer-
else for as much talent and energy as any of the
other professions which are 90 much more es-
teemed at present.
These annual Fairs may be made to serve
other useful purposes. Like the Fairs which
have long been known in England ard many
parts Of the continent Of Europe, they may to
some extent become . market for the sale oil
various commodities. Already has the traffic
in choice stock, agricultural implements, and
various other commodities, been made through
this channel and this practice 10 annually in
creasins. Al all events no better way of adyer.
oil hos nOHi = ho sha, -
these exhibitions-by the tests and critical exam.
nations 70 which they are subjected, aud by the
impartial 4ecisons founded thereon.
But q matter Of greater Importance results from
the fact that in this manner several holidays
are added to our calendar. The puritani
cal spirit which prescribed every thing in tie
nature of festiy al has given tone TO the habits
and customs Of our New England ancestors, and
has communicated sombre hue to ell our in.
situations. We have become too grave and Sc
rious people. That yearning for amusement
which is part and portion of every nature,
denied its innocent qualifications, seeks too Of
ten vicious if not criminal indulgence. lie is
a public benefactor who eau contrive some
harmless diversion that shall satisfy the natural
longing for relaxation and gaiety-that shall
unbend the brow Of care, and call up smiles and
mirthfulness on the cheek of childhood and OF
fowfromithese annual festivals, such as that now
passing before US.
trust you will all look forward to our ne 1t
exhibition with interest and with pleasure
Commence your preparations for it at once
Take pains with your stock, both as to the i'm.
provement Of its blood and the manner in which
il is tended. Cultivate your fields with renewed
interest. Ende4vor to raise the choicest and
most abundant crops. Try to improve your
skill and taste in all branches Of handi york, and
come up at our next meeting with your wives
and your children-bringing the choicest Of
your animal and vegetable products, as well as
of the labor of your own banda and those Of
your family, and then return to your homes
with hearts OF thankfuness TO heaven for all ths
blessings yen enjoy and all the bounties that are
showered with such pro!usion upon you-that
your fields contain such mines OF wealth lying
SO near the surface-tbat your institutions per-
NIT you each TO follow the bent Of his own hon
est inclinations, with none to modest or gpake
him airaid~-tnat you are citizens Of so wide and
prosperous country which is SO powerful and
vet SO peaceful-so diversified in its industr Y
and institutions, and yet SO harm onious, united
and happy.