Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-09-20
TO the Members and Patrons Of the Q. ".
So "A. q N. Association. ..a ss#
=. MELENDY. Editor.

"A q 0Qs xASSOC1dIAOns -
This society was organized on the LIST day
Of July, 1867, at the school-house in this
place. The meeting was adjourned to the 10th
. OF the same month, when officers and direc-
tors were elected, constitution and bylaws
were adopted, and it was also voted to hold
a fair in the fall. The first fair was held on
Sept goth and Both.
At the time Of the organization of the No.
cicty there seemed to be no desire on the
part Of farmers for Improvement in agriculA
ture. But the interest now manifested in
agricultural improvement in our valley dates
from the first meeting of the Cedar Valley
Agricultural and Mechanical Association
We are now about to close the Fifth Annual
Fair Of this society. 1t has been glorious
sight to see the people Of all classes vieing
with each other in the arts Of peace. These
popular assemblagcs, where the people bring
into competition various productions of their
skill and labor, are well calculated to advance
the general prosperity Of the Valley, and to
throw around the labors Of the agriculturalist
and the mechanic an attractive interest The
poet has beautifully said,
Would you be strong Go follow the pillow;
Would you be thoughtful? Study the fields and flowers
Would you be wise! Take on yourself a vow
To so to school in Natures sunny bowers.
Fairs are gatherings of farmers for mutual
Improvement That agricultural fairs have
accomplished great good, no one, who looks
fair at the subject can doubt. Farming in
all aspects has made more progress in our
valley since these gatherings than it has done
in years before, and we repeat again that this
society, and all agricultural societies are Of
inestimable value to all, the farmer, mechan-
ic, and merchant, and to the country in gen.
eral; and we are grieved to see any cause Of
bitterness arise whereby its usefulness should
be diminished. No wise man looks for per-
lection in human institutions. But there are
and ever will be-men connected with all
sorts of societies, whose chief pleasure it is
to find fault. They leave the toll and re-
sponsibility and expense to others, and think
they do their duty if they find out and pub
lish abroad all the blemishes that can he dis
covered or imagined. They appear very zeal
GUS, but it is only in talking. Any one who
owns a crowbar or match can destroy o
house but it requires money, toll, and skill,
to build it up. We trust, then, that it will be
remembered that our fairs and societies are
intended for mutual improvement; that WITH
out them we should rapidly backslide in in
tel!igence; and it should be borne in mind
that the officers literally give their time, Ia
Dor and money for the general good, and
ought to receive gratitude and thanks, and
not be compelled to hear the double toned
grumblers and fault-fnders.
In behalf Of the officers and Board Of Di-
rectors, return you our sincere and hearty
thanks for your support and attendance,
hoping that you may have many such exhi-
billions, and that your cry may be-,
IAN the world is moving forward,
Progress sweeps on every gale,
Mind is proudly rushing onward,
There is no such word asJaH."
We, therefore, deliver up to your keeping,
the interest of the Cedar Valley Agricultural
and Mechanical Association.