Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-11-19
horticultural and Pathological De-
partment, etc, etc.
OPENING DAY

tIv and manfully shrugged to make the first Fair
~ this Association worthy CT our section, the
state and our age; and Heaven seemed yester.
law to smile upon their efforts by sending us
oroning day as d light, calm, and SO pleasant
a. ever people, even in our temperate climate,
rare Blessed with at this season
Even earlier than WAS anticipated the care
crere thronged with visitors en- route to the Fair
c,onnds. while numbers of vehicles came along
,hc county road, depositing their loads to swell
The Iist of visitors. By II O'Clock the Grounds
presented lively aspect, and one could not move
in snv direction without confronting some we'll
remembered face.
The absence Of many of our Whining tonians
vs-s cause OF some regret to us, but the places
ofthese were we'll supplied by our friends from a
distance who seemed to manifest commenda-
lila degree OF interestia this First Annual
Fair.
THE GROUNDS.
Though but two or thu ee months ago the site Of
the prcsent Fair Grounds perfect forest,
Yesterday exhibited large cleared tract where
xr,D!e facilities were afforded for the accOmmO-
iaton of visitors and tho display CT articles 4
broad smooth and perfectly cleared tract greeted
,ha eve upon which were assembled everything
that could contribute to opportunity and enjoy
ment
The Exhibition Il all, three stories high, was
ample large and all sufficient for the accommO-
tatIon of visitors, being an imposing ediice con-
s!ructed with view to the wants of the Associa-
ION and with every facility which accommoda-
lion could suggest. On tie ground floor was the
PROPER place for the display of cooking stoves, aS
riclItural implements etc. On the second floor
WAS Floral Hall. where most Of the fancy articles
zero displsyed The third floor would make
most excellent dancing hall
THE ATTENDANCE
Was fulig as largo as that at the State Fair on
the first day, realizing two thousand persons
fully, which will be greatly augmented to-day by
the arrival of trains since the exhibition yester
day. In ATTENDANCE as we'll as the interest mani
tested our First Fair promises to be a decided
success.
THE TAIR OPENED.
About noon. the signal for the opening OF the
Fair WAS given. The procession around the
Grounds was formed and started the inatia-
tory march, 1t was headed by the Marshal and
lis Assistants on horseback, followed by the fine
brass band of the 9Th Regiment, behind which
marched in excellent order the corps of Cadets
oFthe Cape Fear Academy under command OF
Gen. r. E. Cclston, the principal Then followed
the officers of the Association, members of the
press and invited guests in carriages. After
proceeding around the Grounds the procession
halted in front of the Exhibition Hall Here, af-
ter ascending the balcony, tho following prayers
were delivered by Rev. A. A. Watson, D. D., Rec
tor of st. James Church in this city:
PRAYERS.
. Lord our God, exceeding great, who art
clothed with majesty and power, who stretChest
out the Heavens, and makest the clouds thy
chariots and waIkest upon the.winds Gracious
" lock upon thy servan ts, who humbly invoke
thy blessing. Bless the products Of thine earth
and Skies prosper this design, and TINS assem-
b!age that in multiplied counsel we may find
wisdom, and brotherly competition true adYan-
tSge; that looking up to thee in all things, We
may be blessed IN all, through jesus CHRIST our
Lord. Amen.
OGod our refuge and strength, who iudgest
among the nations who makest wars to cease
who breakfast the bow and cuttest the spear IN
Sunder, give peace in our time . Lord, that with
out sacrifice OF duty or of true honour the sword
may be broken into the plough-share and the
spear into the pruning hook, that we may learn
and practice the arts of peace; and, surely trust
in8 in thy defence, may not fear the power Of
any adversarles.
Through the might Of Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen
GOD, who appointest the moon her seasons,
and the sun TO know his going down, and makest
the Ortgoings of the morning and evening to re-
j0ice; who commanded the clouds from above,
and openest the doors of Heaven, who causest
tho vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
HhO makest the hghtnlngs for the rain, and
Hringest the winds out Ofthy treasures, and
pceparest the rain for the earth; who causeth
>Ee grass to grow for the CATTLE and the herb for
the service of men; Bless, we beseech thee. the
labors of the husbandmen that The pastures may
be clothed with focks, and the fields stand thick
with corn that our barns may be filled with
plenty, and our presses burst out with new VINE
and the year be crowned with thy goodness.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
y God, the Creator Of the spirits of all flesh
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy,
and nothing wise; Who hast made the hearing
and the seng eye; from Whom cometh the
NH; oh, Inal wit TirnHnnPa
indeth out knowledge of witty inventions Bless,
we beseech Thee, the diligence, and skill, and
enterprise of the cOntrlyer and the mechanic
grant US grace to receive these and all Thy gifts
OF mind, or body, outward circumstance, with
suitable humility and gratitude. That, as TLou
hast commanded, we may know the Lord with
our substance and with the first fruits of all our
Increase; giving glory to Thee, the author OF
every good gift
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Our Father, &c.
The grace OF our Lord Jesus Christ, sc.
At the conclusion of the opening prayers the
President, Col. Fremont, delivered the following
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Ladies, Fel0tU- citizens aud Gentlemen
gfAe Cape Fear Agricultural Association:
We are here to-day to inaugurate our
first Annual Fair.
We are here to meet and welcome the
people of every County, State or Dominion
TO our First Exposition of the works of
nature and of art.
This is the third time the members of
THIS Association have been convened.
Our first two meetings were held in yon
clty-to-day by the liberality of New Han
over county, we assemble upon our own
soil.
Slx months ago and the ground upon
winch we now stand was covered with O
pine forest
we make no pretensions to any excel
fence III our thing has vet
been perfected-we are in state of tran
sltion, but hope before another year rolls
around, to have these grounds much i'm
proved.
On the 10Th day of December last few
ardent and determined men assembled in
the city OF Wilmington, and set this ball
IN motion.
The people, city and country, have taken
ts up ana rolled it on, until we are today
eIiaoied TO Degln the first Agricultural, Ne
chanlcaI and Commercial Fair ever held in
the Cape Fear country.
At our regular annual meeting on the