The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-09
{ Correspondence Of the Republican. }
The virginia state Fair.

RiCuTosD, Va. Nova 1850.
To-day, have attended the State fair Of
Virginia, at this city, and the first which
has been held In the State since the war. The
weather was very favorable, tho grounds,
track and buildings were In good condition,
and the exhibitors of stock, machinery and
other articles were very credltable, con-
sidering the circumstances, and Is regarded
by the management as an encouraging
success, and gives them comfortable hope
for the future.
The number of persons within the In
closure, on yesterday and to-day, was gen.
orally estimated to be quite 10000 each day.
The display Of fruit was truly rich and beau
tlful, and rarely have seen a better exhibit
ton of apples than here, some very fine seed
llngs and new varieties, showing that apples
may be profitable In old Virginia. Among
others enthusiastically interested, I found
my old friend Col. Daniels, from Wisconsin,
who has, since the war, bought large farm
below Mount Vernon, which he Is improv-
ing.
Among other pcrsonages whose com
partnership l enjoyed, was that Of Henry
Halstcd, esq, sheriff Of York county, who
came aboard Of the boat at Yorktown and
took me In charge, and who was my guide
In Richmond and at the fair-but you must
be the Judge of how crcdltablc II Is to me TO
be taken 10 hand by the sheriff when abroad
but such Is the fact, and pleasant guidance
| II was, and instructive.
This evening the State Agricultural So
ciety, with very crowded audience Of vlsi-
tors, assembled at the Broad.strect Meth
odst church, listened to an eloquent,
earnest and Characteristic written address
delivered by Hon. John s. Prentlss, Of South
Carolina, but a native Of Virginia. lie said
many timely aud instructive things to the
| Virginia farmers, which 1t were well they
should practically heed-remembcr. He
said other things which wero uucalled for
and calculated to stir up malignity and keep
alive sores and inharmony In the minds OF
that people, and which had better have been
unsaid. He said this country was estab-
llshed as free Government, and based on
the principle that men were equal before
God aud the law; but he said he "dld not
mean that noxious and filthy equality which
was now being spread broadcast over the
country, and which was degrading old Vir-
ginla 10 the dust" lie admonishcd them
to avoid the free school system as pesti.
leGce, and degrading, &C., and that Vir-
glnians ought to go North as teachers to
New York and New England. d. s. c.
RICHMOND, November S, 1850.
The State fair closed to-day, having been
satisfactory to its friends In nearly every re.
spect, nothing having occurred the whole
week to mar the harmony, except the unwise
and unpatriotic utterances Of Mr.. Prentiss
address last night, which meets much con.
demnatlon-alike for Its inconsistency and
vrulcnce. lie properly lauded Jefferson for
his free and democratic sentiments, and he
vcnerated Washington for his efforts 10
founding a republican government, and he
cited with satisfaction the eloquence oil
Henry In opposition to monarchy, and was
eloquent In commentator Of the authors OF
our constitutional organization; and yet, In
the teeth Of all this he was extravagant In
praise of those modern Virginians who were
so traitorous as to attempt to destroy that
same Government and ignore that same Con-
stltutlon. He had no word of censure for
the bloody treason which strove for the over
throw and dissolution OF the sacred fabric OF
those patriot fathers, but breathed ven.
| geance against the patriots and Government
which thwartcd their evil purpose.
Although resolution was passed by the
society, requesting q copy OF the address for
publication, 1t Is doubted by many IL 1t will
be published at all, and hoped by still more
| that 1t may not be, as the Influence Of II
will be to retard union and harmony, and be
prejudcial to material prosperity.
The State Agricultural Society held q
meeting of its members, aud, after some
contest, reelected the old officers.
The new route by which reached this
place demands passing remarkably boat
from Baltimore up the York river to West
Point, passing Yorktown, thence by cars to
Richmond. Besides q view of the old and
new Notifications at Yorktown, we cross the
Chickahominy river and swamp, pass In
sight Of Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Fitzhugh
Lees plantation, the old Gusts house Of
| Washington and many other scenes made
interesting during the war Of the rebellion,
York river is a beautiful channel of naviga
ton, and West Point, at the head Of it, and
at the junction Of Pamunky and Mattaponi
is a location capable of becoming large
commercial town, when suitable enterprise
grasps Its advantages. D. 8. e.