Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-28
THE CITY.
The Fair Grounds.

To the Editors of the Union and American.
In the communication of Merchant"
10 the Sundays issue of your paper, npon
the subject of "Fair Grounds" | was
amused at the manifest interest displaved
under the guise of seeming disintereafed-
ness as to their location
Merchant says he has no interest in rail.
roads, and virtually admits he has none in
agricultural fairs. only SO far as it may
bring crowds to the city, and thereby ena-
Bile him to dispose of his goods, wares and
merchandise.
hope the gentleman will excuse me,
when | cay TO him think him better quail
lied 10 give Us dissertation upon pugi-
listic exercises than Fair Grounds, begging
his pardon, however, in advance that he
may not feel disposed to exercise his skill
in the manly art upon myself
The gentleman seems to forget that this
is the Tennessee Agricultural and Me-
chanic Association, composed of gentle
men of both city and country, for the inn
provement Of cereals, fruits and vegels-
bles, for the greater development Of the
mechanic arts, for bringing TO greater per-
lection the character Of our stock, and for
exciting laudable rivalry and emulation
among farmers, artisans and mechanics.
These objects, Mr.. Merchant, were and
are the prime moving causes in the for
nation of the Association, and the selling
of your goods, am sor. ? 70 inform you,
- ---:--:%---x~ -uzaa1ld have
it,, taken into considerzt---. That you
and all oher merchants will derive great
incidental benefits entertain not doubt,
and that you may do 80 l most earnestly
hope; and that such will be the case | feel
morally certain, let the Fair Grounds be
placed where they may.
But that this in connection with the har-
vest TO the kote.-keepers, should be held up
as the prominent and chief duty of the
Association in making the location is sim
ply absurd. Many other interests have to
be subseryed besides you're.
The purpose ofthose who have this mat
ter in charge is, or should be, to carry out
strictly the original intent and legitimate
design of the institution, which is the i'm
prOvement of agriculture and the mechan-
ic arts; and our rural population Ito say
the least have an equal interest in the en-
terprise.
10 act for other objects and make them
the prime moving causes, would be prac
sANAh6 Ah1uu uPOn tuC
and the name itself of the institution
would be misnomer
In order TO secure success the grounds
should not be SO far distant form the city
| as TO prevent citizens from attending the
exhibitions; they should be located at
some point (0ther advantages being equal)
where they can be reached at the smallest
possible expense so that the poor of our
| city, as well as the rich, can have it within
their power to enjoy with their families
these annual holidays. They should be so
situated that the country at large could
| reach them cheaply and conveniently. In
other words, where the greatest good
would be done TO the greater nuEber;
where stock from distance that may have
| to remain several days can have comfort
able pens, and be easily taken care of;
| where they can have free and easy access
| to water. Then, with these advantages
and chespness Of access, that should be the
| place in our Judgment for the Fair
Grounds. Such a place would not only
| give us vast crowds, bat secure and hold
| their continued annual attendance. No
| place comes so near filling the bill as the
| Golf and Foster places, and but one of
these fill it completely. They have both
| an advantage of water, but unfortunately
| the stream passes through the center OF the
| Foster grounds, and fit should be deemed
advisable TO place the stock pens iu COM
munication with the water, these objects
wonld prove unsightiy, mar the beauty of
| the landscape, and offend the taste of the
| cultivated visitor. Should they be placed
/ on the outer verge Of the grounds. as is
II norol Than tha Nunrlt have n lead
| o: drive their stock to water, thereby cius-
| ing much trouble aud annoyance.
The Golf place has q large stream sweep
ing around the outer boundaries of two
sides of abe ground, and in this respect its
| advantages are unequaled. The track also
at this place is admitted TO be better than
at any locality offered. The land, | see
from their prices is cheaper by less than
one half the amount asked for the other
plSce5. 1t is upon 4 road that communi
Gates by rail with seven counties. 1t can
be reached by our citizens from Nashville
in twelve minutes by the Chattanooga
Railroad. We can get there, as | under
stand through the papers, for five cents,
l and return for the same and then buggies
or carriages can make their selection of
three roads that 20 to the same point.
In order TO reach the COckrill Spring
place, we will be driven to the necessity of
resorting to hacks, buggies or omnibuses,
which would make the cost Of attendance
by this mode Of conveyance, one day,
/ equal to The cost of the other point one
| week; of course | have reference 10 the
cost of transportation. If we should go
| by rail TO the Cockrill place, we would be
L compelled to walk half a mile to reach the
| amphitheater, unless the amphitheater
| should be placed half a mile from the
springs,
On this place, although it has an admi-
| rable spring Of water, the water is no bet
| ter than at the other place, and | know of
| no point belonging to it where stoCk-pens
could be built connecting with water. To
visitors from a distance, 80 far as their
hotel accommodations are concerned, let
| them place it where they will, they will
be obliged to find their food and lodging
| in the hotels of the city; and then, Mr..
Merchant, you can come in for the full
| measure of your desires for fair grounds,
in selling and disposiDg of your goods.
And now, Messrs. Editors, | will say to
you, that recollect, some eight or ten
years ago Il was younger then than l am
now having attended many picnics in
| what was known then as Colts grove. l
| recollect distinctly the tall bluff, towering
| above these grounds, covered with tangled
vines, the wild rose and other Towering
woodland plants, that presented picture
| of beauty to the lover of nature in her
| wild wood that is rare to be found in any
| portion of our country. Unfortunately
the ravages of war have, in a great meas
ure, destroyed the lovely grove; but the
| bluff l understand was intact, its trees and
| WINS and brushWood all the same The
| grove, such as it was, can never be replaced
in our time, but the great fertility of the
| soilwill soon grow new forest, and give US
ample shade, and with the hand OF Guilt
waited taste TO direct the improvements, it
is certainly capable of being made one Of
| the loveliest and most romantic spots any
where in the vicinity of our city, and as
such | hope it may be selected by our
| directory for the fair grounds.
OBJERvER.