Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-08-06
LOCAL. ITEMS.

ing measures for furthcring the objects OF
the Potomac, Piedmont and Valley Agricul'
tural Society, by a subscription on the part
of the city to the Society, 10 enable it to
hold a fair the coming Fall, was not as nu-
merously attended, as was expected, though
towards the close, the number present had
very perceptibly increased. At s. o'clock,
Isaac Kell called to the Chair, w. IL. Fowle,
and on motion of the same gentleman, Edgar
Snowden, Jr., was appointed Secretary.
Mr.. Fowle on taking the Chair, stated the
object for which the meeting had been call
ed, and called up II. w. n. holland, of Al
bemarle, who explained in clear and forci-
BILE speech, the great benefits that must ac-
crue to Alexandria from the holding OF u
Fair, such as was proposed by the Agricul-
tural Society. 1t would attract to the city,
he thought, not less than ten thousand per-
sons, and unless the farmers OF Virginia had
learned very recently the art of strict econo-
my, which he did not think they had, from
SIS 900 to 100000 would be spent here by
the Nsiters All classes would feel the ben
eft, the merchant, the mechanic, artizan,
aborer, and all would realize the good effects
produced by congregatng here annually
Another great object attained would be the
introduction to our merchants OF an entirely
new class Of customers, persons now brought
within the reach of Alexandria influence by
the opening of her Railroads. and who once
brought here and permitted to see our city,
become acquainted with our people, and ex-
anime our superior commercial advantages,
would make this their market, Us 1T natural
ly was, and thus make Alexandria instead
of hat it is now, one Of the most flourish
ing cities in the country. The speaker cited
Richmond, Lynchburg, Wheeling, Peters
burg, and other places, that had subscribed
literally for the purpose OF getting up and
holding similar fairs, to show the great
advantages to be derived. Lynchburg, he
said, was by her liberal policy already going
ahead rapidly, and unless the people of Al.
exandria awake To their true interests, and
hold out inducements TO attract the people
from that section OF country Just opened to
US, by our Railroads, we would rapidly fall
behind hand, and business men OF Lynch
burg, worn out with the active duties of that
place would seek relaxation from business
in the quiet town Of Alexandria. lie SAID
that those cities that had offered to subscribe
large sums for the purpose OF inducing the
State Society to hold its annual Fairs in
their midst, did not make these offers or
subscribe these amounts for the honor, but
for the sake of profit, and he believed that
the Corporation would make Il good thing of
it by taking the control of the grounds, and
fitting them up, So as to draw hlther the
crowd. Hither the Northern man would
come to sell--tor lie we'll knows that Nlr-
ginans would buy anything from II last
trotter" to Il he goat, or from 4 steam engine
to n tooth pick-and hither the Southerner
would come to buy. The location Of Aley-
andria as place for holding an Agrlcultu-
raj Fair could not be eXceled--easy OF ac-
cess. il larger and more varied collection OF
animals, machinery, &C., would be brought
here than could be found at amy other fair.
There was not, the speaker continued, sutt-
cient attractions held out to the country
peupie---thev wished to go where crowd was
assembled, and once get them in the way ot
going to any particular point, and there was
no danger that there would be a falling off.
The speaker concluded by hoping that Alex
audria either in her corporate capacity, or
By liberal subscription on the part OF her
citizens individually, would come to the as
Sistancc of the Society, and enable them to
have an exhibition, this Fall.
The Chairman next called upon John y.
Washington, President Of the Agricultural
Society, who rose and made Il strong appeal
in behalf of the Society. He considered 1t
all important that the Society should hold
Fair this Fall The city must set the exam-
ple bv Il subscription before we could expect
anything from the country or other places.
He gave Il very interesting account OF visit
to the Agricultural Fair at ST. Louis, and OF
the immense advantage that city derived
from the Fair While he did not desire to
create the impression that Fair here would
attract anything like the number Of people
that were annually gathered together at st.
Louis, yet in proportion to the size of the
two places and other things considered, we
would derive, in proportion, an equal advan-
tage. He thought that l5,Ooo was II low
estimate for the number that would attend,
and all could see at Z lance the great bene-
fiji that would accrue To the city. lie was
more deeply interested in Alexandria than
in any city in the country. Here was his
market. What he bought, he bought here
what he sold, was sold here-he had always
liked it. and its people, and he WAS now ad-
yocating her cause. 1t would, he thought,
be great blundcr il the people did not
seize this advantage to render profitable and
rive permancncc to all the works Of i'm
provcment, in which we have SO deep an IN
terest, and if this opportunity was allowed
to sIip--the delay would be deeply regretted
when our citizens saw other places reaplng
the harvest which we had sown. lie hoped
that some plan would at once be devised tor
securing a slbScri ption on the part OF the
city to the Society, so as to enable them to
20 on with the work, and open the FAIR this
Fall.
The following resolutions, as published in
SATURDAYS Gazette, were then offered by l..
F. Wilmer:
Resolved. That in the opinion OF this meeting,
tine City Council OF Alexandria would consult II.
interests of this community, by advancing the
Bonds Of the Corporation to the extent OF slo,ooo,
"a the Potomac, Piedmont. and Valley ASrlcultu-
raj Society, payable at such time as may be ueeni-
ed exrrlient-saii Society agreeing 10 pay an
uualiy the interest thereon, and sufficient sum
in addition to retire the Bonds 1T their maturity
Resolved. That a Committee be appointed to
obtain from our citizens the sums necessary 70
pay the interest, and create the sinking fund Tor
the purposes designated above.
The Chairman explained the object of the
resolutions. 1t hal been considered the
best plan by which subscription on the
part of the city could be effected--and while