The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-04
A Eair-The Sta e Society.

that nreyented the committee at their last
meeting from deciding at once in favor OF
q fair to be held next fall. But we are
left to infer that the decision is not final
We should regret to see the committee
fixed in their views, or rather their appre.
tensions, and would avoid any such dis
cussion as might have that tendency.
We accord to the committee the same
desire for the promotion Of the public in
terest that we claim for ourselves. We
concur in the Importance OF having fair.
They see some difficulties, which VIC trust
can be removed; but they imagine some,
we think, which do not exist. The means
belong to the former class tie political
troubles to the latter.
The committee assess the expenses at q
very high figure. $4,000 for premiums is
more than is necessary, it see:..s to Us
the first State Fair, wo believe; and more
than, in time like this, ought to be thought
Of. a more economical one will answer !;
and by shaving down items, and making
the proper appeal, the premium list can
be raised, we believe. We were not aware
that any great effort had been made, and
are Of opinion that a future conference,
followed by proper cooperation, VIII be
successful, to the infinite delight, we are
sure, of the committee as well as our
selves. They will excuse us for not IN
dertaking the work Of raising money our
selves. A feeling Of modesty assures us
that while we might do it very we'll, they,
with our feeble aid, will do it far better, il
they will oily think so. In Old Virginia
style, the writer will be happy to endorse
their note.
The Dispatch may be no sign of sum-
mer; but it has stood alone in some enter
prises for the welfare of this city, involving
hundreds of thousands of dollars, which
were triumphantly carried. We do not
mean to confess that We are alone. We
trust some Of our contemporaries concur
with US. No one would be more rejoiced
than the Wing at the success of fair,
though it has admitted the force of the
views presented by the committee.
We do not remember what we said last
fall Of the very highly respectable assem-
blage Of gentlemen farmers here. We are
sure it was respectful, and it may have
been more than that. We shouldn't won
der. Admiration of the Old Virginia gen.
tleman and the Virginia politician of the
past has always been weakness with us,
and we are sure we were fascinated with
their manners and their conversation
nav. fell into ecstacy over Mr.. NEwToN's
ancestral oaks y; but time and reflection
tell us that, after all, "t was all talk and no
cider"
What is needed are substantial and demon
strative exhibitions, at which shall be drawn
together the bone and sinew as we'll as the
intellect and refinement Of the State. They
is needed, especially now, as tue means OF
cheering the Public Spirit and nerving the
arm of Industry, as well as giving it the
advantages Of the lights Of Improvement
to guide it in its labor. We cannot over
estimate the good effects that would fol-
low. And never in the history of the
State was there time when it was 50 emf
inently important to all the interests OF
Virginia that we should have large meet
ing of the classes who are the foundation
Of the State.
We cannot imagine any just cause Of
apprehension Of difficulty from the defeat
of the Constitution. Whatever feeling Of
irritation and disappointment may be en-
tertained by white Radicals, there will be
no trouble with the negro. He is too
much amused at the rapid changes of
the political kaleidoscope to be out OF tenn
per. There are many influences at work
upon his poor head just now, and ont of
the confusion in which he is involved no.
thing very definite, no especial line Of &C
ton, can be suggested to him. No part OF
the community will be more pleased at any
public spectacle, and the gate fee will be
a bar to any excess of obtrusiveness. So
far from there being objection on this
score to fair, the assemblage of the no.
BILE producing class Of white Virgln'ans III
the capital at such time would have
moral effect not to be over-estimated.
The people of Richmond are not yet
beggared. They have something to go
upon. They may not wash down their
dinners with wine, but they still have very
good dinners. They have not yet forgot
ten to be hospitable, and we dare say there
are some genial spirits yet left, outside
their own hearts, wherewith to inspire So
cial intercourse, and send fresh glow
along the sensitive nerves Of that friend.
ship which common suffering and a COM
mon peril have but frightened and invigo-
rated.
If there is not the abundance Of other
days, what there is will be dispensed with
the same grace and heartiness, and will
be as much enjoyed as was the former pro-
fusion by those who now expect nothing
more than we are able to give.
A meeting of Virginia farmers, manu-
facturers, and merchants, this year would do
more to inspire the hopes and stimulate
the energies of the people than any other
one cause. The proofs it would present OF
the fortitude, constancy, and patient indus
try under Universities such as never before
befel O nation would impart q new inspi-