The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-28
special telegram to the Dispatch.

Special telegram to the Dispatch
STAUNToN, October 27, 1858.
The Augusta Fair had brilliant open
ing to-day, realizing the most sanguine
hopes of it's friends. The grounds are adj
mirably located near the town, with flint
track for the display of stock, surrounded
by natural amphitheatre Of hills for spec
tators. At an early hour more than five
thousand people, including hundreds o.
ladies, had assembled on the grounds, while
the stream of people continued to pour il
during the whole day.
At 10 o'clock the procession moved from
the courthouse, forming long line, or
foot, on horseback, and in carriages.
| COLONEL JOHN B. BALDWIE's ADDRESS.
Colonel J. 3. Baldwin, according to the
programme, delivered cordial address Of
welcome to the immense crowd Of visitors
present. He was glad to see them on this
beautiful spot-a donation of the county Of
Augusta to this great public enterprise. Il
any apology were necessary for the com.
paratively inadequate outfit, he need only
remind them of the fact that since the Isl
of May all the work had been done-the
work of raising the money by voluntary
contributions; of purchasing the grounds
of organizing, directing, and paying fo1
labor. When you reflect that all this was
done by contributions of one hundred dol
| lars. each, and remember the depressed
pecuniary condition of the country, you
have right to believe there is life still in
this part of Virginia. When Augusta con-
ceives purpose she always backs it lib
| orally. :.
| He eaid this was not in the ordinary
sense an agricultural, but an industrial
fair, encouraging enterprise and establish
ing economy and thrift amongst all classes
of labor. Some thought the times unsuited
for such an exhibition; that the future was
| too unsettled. This idea did not prevail
| with those who undertook this work. No
time better than the present. Before the
war the people of the Valley we're almost
exclusively agricultural. Everybody aimed
| 10 be landowner. The war struck down
labor, and agricultural life had become less
attractive, People were turning their atten-
ton more to manufactures, mercantile pur-
suits. and to commerce. We are now in o
transition state. Labor will become more
diversified. During the war we were con-
vinced Of the great mistake we had made
in confning ourselves SO exclusively
to agriculture, and giving SO litrle
attention to other pursuits. We are
not only now improving our system OF
farming, but entering the lists with the
great manufacturers Of the country to sup
ply our State with all that she needs OF
modern improved machinery and other
products of the workshop. We thought
it great calamity during the war when
our barns and mills were burned, our cattle
were murdered, and our farming imple-
ments were destroyed. But it has turned
out to our profit. Bigger barns and better
mills. have been built, and the COM
mander of the army that laid waste
our beautiful Valley now orders COM
missaries to use none but Valley
brand -four. Old-time implements have
been superseded by new and improved pat
terms adapted to our changed circumstances,
while labor saving machinery has been in
troduced to take the place of that Of which
we have been deprived. If there ever was
time to establish such Fair as this which
we to-day inaugurate, now is the time. The
people should be brought together to con-
suit and to learn lessons for the new life
on which We are entering. They should
forget their public troubles, and look for
ward to future of industry, diversified la
Dor, and prosperity.
1t was spectacle of promise to the
people of the Valley that this first exhlbl-
ton had proved so successful. 1t was de-
signed to make this occasion of annual re-
union not only place where shall be ex-
hibited our progress in agriculture and
manufactures, but grand festival for the
amusement and instruction Of the people.
Colonel Baldwin closed by again giving the
assembled multitude cordial welcome.
HON. A. H. H. sTUART's ADDRESS.
The duty of delivering the address Of
dedication devolyed upon Hon. A. H. 4.
Stuart, and was happily performed.
Mr.. Stuart commenced his address with a
tribute to his friend Colonel Baldwin, the au-
thor and founder of the Augusta County Fair.
To his zeal and energy, seconded by the
liberality and public spirit of the good peo-
pie of Augusta, the success Of the enter
prise is due. 1t was therefore eminently
appropriate that he did deliver the address
of welcome, part which he had performed
in manner acceptable to all who had
the pleasure Of hearing him. We have
now, continued Mr.. Stuart, arrived at the
second stage of the proceedings, and are
about to dedicate the grounds which have
been purchased for the uses Of the Fair !;
and have been called upon to say q few
words in connection with this auspicious
event. Why should have been selected to
perform this interesting task may not at
first view be entirely clear ; but when we
advert to the nature of the duty to be per-
formed, and the obvious propriety of en-
trusting it to one Of your most skllful,
experienced, and successful farmers, |
wonder how they infer that all doubts as to
thereasons for, and propriety of, selecting the
person who now has the honor to address
YOU as the organ of the managers will i'm
mediately vanish. l now tender my thanks
TO the managers for their favorable esti-
mate of my merits as farmer; nor
can /, withhold word of compliment
to their sagacity in discovering and oth-
cially proclaiming to the public fact that