The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-10-01

coming together. It is true that In soma
sense We have . holiday, in that We meet
old friends and make new ones-look upon
and admire the beautiful In art and The
useful in every department-leave behind
for few days the cares and labor Of the
field and recreate while surrounded bv
ductions and enterprisinR exhibitnrs' Rnt
these are but = small part Of our duties
but 1.-THE Of the high objects sought to be
attained ~ our organization, and the
same 10 true Of the thought that we meet Ia
trade and make money-to many give and
recelve premiums upon this aubjeCt 8 TOW
WORDS may not be out Of place and especial-
Far be it from me to favor q policy which
denies to competitor fun and riheral
premium upon any article exhibited.
would II possible offer such pecuniarv in.
ducements ~ would justify any citizen frnm
Inc remotest parts Of this and other States.
In bringing with him whatever he should
oseeem excellent from his Stable. orcfaryi
shop or dairy. And yet would inculcate
t;d n,sne bertha inan as money motive-oonsidera-
hibitors ought TO be paid reasonably Well
for their trouble and expenses--bnt thew
ought to and must seek for commemorative.
something higher, better and more endnr.
ing than the few dollars received at the
hands OF the Society. In proportion ~ the
merely s0rdid motive obtains the ascen-
dency-as men think more Of the pren1i-
ums than of the honest verdict Of the com
mittee and the thinking, rejecting, watch
ful, leaning hundreds around them-as
they love to boast Of the dollars carrie6
home, rather than the concious excellence
OF their exhibited articles, as they work ana
manage to get the paltry premium, rather
imam % developand bring to public scrutiny
and criticiam, the various and many arti.
cles and their excellences offered for ex-
hibition in the same proportion do thew
detract from the true interests and iiRnNv
Of the occasion, and bring reproach upon
the aims Of those who honeetly and faith-
fully endeavor to keep up the character and
usefulness ofsuch exhibitions. As all ought
TO hight for and save our suffering country
without reference to money or gain; so
should all bring their articles to this friend
Fly field OF competitions for the purpose Of
accomplishing practical good-to excite
others to follow their example-to rive to
the world credence Of what may be done
by genius. industry and care, to let others
know that this grain is better than that this
breed OF cattle or stock OF horses is more
profitable than another, the method Of
cultivation preferable to that of our neigh
bors, and In q word to obtain lasting bene-
1t by seeing what others bring, showing
what We have, and by . mutual, free and
candid interchange of views, experience
and plans, helping each other in the great
work Of Improvement, and thus add to our
social and moral happiness and progress.
But whatever the motive influencing
you,-whether money or those higher CON.
siderations, It must not be forgotten that
money Is necessary to make our grounds
and the occasion attractive, and insure ulti-
mate success. have entertained heavy
n no 81 nh M hnp
rested in these exhibitions and the material
well being of the State, were as ready q
they should Be to give cheerfully OF their
means to build up those institution that
are essentially ecessary to their own we'll
being and prosperity. ] know that farmers
and mechanics, from the asduous nature Of
their avocations and the manner In which
they honestly accumulate theix means,
feel most justly and wisely the need OF
economy and carefully husbanding their
resources. But may not inquire whether
they assist a. they should and might by
their influence and means in founding and
supporting institutions peculiarly theirs !;
those enterprises which to them more than
all others, are tho avenues through which
they present to the world their improve.
ment and progress? Are you not apt my
friends TO leave these expenses and this
labor toe much TO others3 And in doing
80 are you just to yourselves, to others, or
the pursuits in which you are engaged :
Now al profess TO feel the justice and ne
cessity Of procuring State and National aid
in support Of those educa tional institutions
which are intended peculiarly to elevate
the working classes, and give, if possible a
higher dignity to labor and its rewards,
Or il not this It is felt that such institutions
have 1t least equal claim with other objects
on State patronage. And yet who are the
active agents in demanding and securing
u Sosd nd rr-kr s1<%n<,
determined opposition come! Here and
there throughout the land, know We will
find agriculturalists who seem to fully ap-
preciate their position and to realize that
such matters should have their hearty ap-
proval and support and yet, as a rule, all
such legislation 10 apt TO meet its weightiest
opposition from those to be the mostimme-
date beneaciaries. Appropriations may
b made to build custom houses-grants
obtained for the construction Of railroads
-moans expended without limit for the
erection Of al other public buildings, with
out exciting but little, II any, complaint or
opposition. Undertake, however, to secure
county or state agricultural sOcieties-t0
endow an agricultural College, or create q
department devoted peculiarly to the inte-
rests Of eight tenths Of our people, and in
too many instance1 the firt to, complain
Of the extravaganza and the unwise expen-
diture9 are those most interested, and who
should be most ready to give their appro-
val. Why this should be 20 IL diARcult
to understand. It 10 perhaps attrihnsable
in part to . feeling Of ,indepsndanosto .
disposition to take care of theinaelveo-tO]
"a unwillingness to b even seeming OBJ
joC4v Of legislative bounty. And vt II am
bound to say that this feeling, - mr. ~ It
obtains, - no justification for the inactivity
OF Opposition r. which have referred. III
the pfoducers andmanufacturers would beI
true 20 themselves and the highsst interests
Of their children and the nation. they would
demand, 40 they have the right to, the rich
est gifts and appropriations nom the State
and National governments for the support
OF such institutions - are necessary for
their education, and to secure success in
their several purAuits. None do more to
support TIE government and mono have
higher claims upon it, lfbsrality and rev.
enT,es. Not only %, but while asking they
should also give If necessary, literally and
unhesitatingly Of their means-and exert
their most active influence TO prepare
~ Al