The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-10-02
For the esprit. :"
The Belmont Fair.

1uC OOlmVut Il uAts
Mr.. ED1HoR:-We are glad to see that
amid all the clash and clatter of arms
and the rage for epaulets and red coats,
that the people of our county are loath to
give up their interest in Agriculture and
the Mechanic Arts as is manifested still
to these departments, but we cannot con-
ceal the fact. that they have been and are
sadly injured and will remain SO until the
white winged messenger of Peace shall
again hover over our land. 7n' 'ia
The second annual Exhibition of the
Belmont Independent Agricultural Socie-
.ty of Belmont County, Ohio, occurred on
the l7th 18th and 10Th ultimo, and was
attended by large and orderly concourse
of people, who for the most part seemed
much interested in the occasion.
Superintended by corps of efficient
officers, and arranged by Board of ener-
getic managers, it exceeded our most san
guine expectations, although not amount
ing to so good display as was made the
last year. Under the exciting pressure
of the times both politically and fuanci.
ally, we did not expect a very interesting
occasion or profitable remuneration to
either the public or the society, but the
general voice of the people pronounces it
au entire success - I5a2li"s
The weather was exceedingly fine, and
old Sol did his utmost in sending down
his choicest rays, but thanks to- the ven-
der of blue cotton Umbrellas, his influence
on the animal economy was considerably
modified, and his exertions-as it respect
ed US poor plebians-were allispent in
vain. . 'isee.i7s = .g at a17dfl
Never having enjoyed the pleasure Of
attending Fair during its entire course,
we concluded to see it's beginning and be
with it at its ending, thefore early Tues
day morning in company with friend, we
were on the road, toward the scene ol
events, where in due time we arrived, md
aftera careful examination of the exterior
portion of the grounds and more par
ticular one of the portly doorkeeper who
vigilanlly guarded the entrance. to the
"inner glories," we purchased our tickets
passed within the enclosure, and soor
commenced a tour of the grounds.
The first thing which claimed our at
tention, was survey of the contour, o
the Fair Ground, which we found vel
adapted to the purpose; large, commodi
GUS. and sloping gently to the East, wit
stalls and pens for horses, cattle, shee]
and hogs on the one side, and coffee houses
restaurants, confectioners shops, etc, o.
the other, all well adapted to the comfort
of both man and beast. -,
But a short distance from the entranc
gate stands the Floral Hall, and as it az
peared to be the sine qua non of investi
cation and observation particularly of th
fair community, thitherward We bent ou
, steps and were soon mingling pcomiscr
, ously among the mass Of people. VIII
were continually pouring along its nal
row passage ways. Here we found
tasteful display of quilts, needlework, cur
osities, relics. jellies, preserves, fruits. sew
, ing machines in fact all that was nice an
attractive, temptipgly arranged before u
, but as sshands Off and the star of th
policeman were seen everywhere and Q
D every hand; we did not feel at liberty
5 "pilfer any of its glories," consequent
can not Judge of the real merits of tf
< articles on exhibition. i'ss s.e csi'.i -
From here we proceeded to the Agr
cultural Hall, pausing in our course
examine some machinery consisting
n reapers, mowers) threshers, rakers, plow
n harrows, wagons, cultivators, &C., whic
n were distributed over this portion of tt
\ grounds Coming to the Agricultur
Hall we were astoni he'd at the s2lay
vegetables, brought here for exhibition
Here were pumpkins, large and sma
: ringstreaked and speckled-good to e.
and good to let alone; beets and carrot
Q corn and wheat; melons and cucumber
{ potatoes and cabbage; barley and bean
y peas and tomatees,S turnips and onion
d cauliaowers and broccoli, in fact all Il
farm and garden products imaginable. pr
|fusely spread out before us and enticing
arrayed within our reach.
We noticed some beautiful samples
a both wheat and corn on exhibition, al
we came to the conclusion that if mu'
|. more of the same kind remained at hon
'e we were in no Immediate danger of beir
starved out by the South in this blockad
b which so extensively shuts off commune
,t ton between the two portion of our cou
try.
lie From here we passed to the examin
tion of the stock, and to our satisfactit
As found each department we'll represente
and that with the nob!est of its creature
+, The entries made in the Equine d
a partment, were more then that of la
year, and upon examination will compa
he favoraby with that of any other Fs
a. within our knowledge. We here se
" horses of all grades and kinds from t
thorough bred racer to the most ordin
ry "stoga' barb, all caparsoned in th,
t. gayest livery. aud. groomed and dress