The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-02-16

Mr.. PRESIDENT, AND FELLOW CITI-
ZEEs For several years past, Agricultu-
raj Fairs,-county state, and national
have been held annually throughout this
country; and the interest which thew ex-
cite Is evidently upon the increase This
Is an argument IN their favor. 1t shows,
at least. a growing interest IL the subject.
There are still some who doubt their utii-
itv who. trying them by the test by which
they accustom themselves to Judge Of
every public and private enterprise, ''7cW
Il PAY are disposed to write them
down as Improbable l do not at all agree
with those who take this narrow view Of
the subject If they served 10 other end
than to afford Il short season Of relaxation
from the tolls Of gathering in the fruits Of
the field, and OF scattering the seed, and
starting the germ of 4 future harvest .
If they served only TO afford ncedful rest
TO muscles. taxed with the unabated labor
of wear, and 10 give to the mind tempo
rarv relief from one unhroken and UNMARRIED
train OF anxious business thought If
this were merely harvest home" or q
feast Of the harvest" in which, forgetting
their toll, and leaving care behind, the
people Of this county had come up hlther
to meet and greet one another III social
brotherhood and friendship, and rejoice
togethcrin the common blessings Of = kind
and bouutjful ProvideEce,-t would, 1t
seems to me, amply repay Us ali for any
apparent sacrifice cEactea.
But far beyond this are the aims and
merits Of these public exhibitions Their
tendency is 10 excite and cherish deep
and abiding interest in the great enter
! prise which your society has been organ
/ lied 20 promote: and to elevate 10 Z
standard Of Just appreciation, in his own.
and In general public estimation, the cal
I ling and the toll Of the huabaudman and
! the mechanic. The aim, as well as tho
tendency, moreover, IS TO instruct both
| We cannot come here, fellow citizens, and
! engage with one another in an interchange
! Of views. and compare, IN theirrcsults hcrl
! exhibited. our several experiments, with
out each and all Of Us learning some lessor
/ OF practical wisdom There IS no one here
! ! venture to affirm, who viii not 90 home
ready 10 acknowledge that he has learned
sop,efh.aq or that he has beer stimuia
ted. by what he has here heard aud seen
to the purpose of making at least one ad
vance step in some department. OF IN
| calling This sentiment, aln pursuaded
is now, in this great day Of the ''taIr, 81
deeply impressed upon the minds OF al
present. that no further vindicatlon {
these public exhibitions IS required.
The most powerful incentive 70 the ac
comDlishment Of everything sought IN III
organization ssd efforts Of agricultural SO
cictios, Is tlslc appreciation OF the Inter
ests concerned. considered relatively Wit
all the other interests Of society at large
the most serious obstacle to he encountcre
and overcome, Is the tendency, a. pcopi
progress in wealth and refinement, to III
dcrvalue these, Gisparage labor, and str
It Of its nlcrited worth and dignity. III
result of q false sentiment here, is TO Ell
courage and foster purpose on the paI
of those. engaged IN industrial pursuit.
and more especially OF their children,
remain IN them no longer than they sha
find themselves able to engage III some
thing more easy and honorable; or nnt
they can enter upon some imagined hei
Of employment, whore intellect and lnte
iirence will have frccr scope, and tnd thel
mcritcd reward This false sentiment an
its fruits, strange as it may seem, are
be found in this country, and amongst II
LABOgERs were not long since spoke
Of, by distinguished member OF the Un
ted States Senate, as ''the MUD-sILLs
society" The sentiment Of the figure, ]
its tone and drapery, was TO disparage i
Dor. That was unwise, and, ifso lntende'
unworthy. And yet that is all, perhaP
that Is ezceptionobIe in the designotitl