Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-07-19
The Coming Industrial Fairs.

DC done to make such gatherings a
source of great improvement, ulti-
mating in beneficial results to all |
classes Of industrial pursuits. To
this end popular patronage and COM
mendable efforts are absolutely nec-
essary. An association like the one |
under consideration does not, like |
water, run itself, but requires a great |
deal Of toll, unwearing patience, sage
like wisdom and plenty of competition |
to make it success. The present |
year, it is true, has been an unfavor-
able one for the production of many |
OF the articles usually exhibited on
such occasions, but the drouth has
been general one, felt and lament
ed by all alike through large tract
of country, SO that in this particular
no one has the advantage of the 9TH
er. In comparison with other years
we shall probably not be able to ex-
hibit very fine specimens of field and
garden produce, but we think that
these departments will be better rep
resented than is generally supposed.
a close examination Of the coming
crops will warrant the conclusion
that it is not so bad as might be ex-
pected after all, when we consider
the very limited amount Of rain
which has fallen during the past two
months, although it will doubtless
fall much below an average yield.
Fairs when properly managed ex-
ert a healthy influence over industri-
al pursuits and social improvements.
They bring men together from DIFF
ferent parts Of the country and give
them an opportunity Of exchanging
views, sentiments and opinions on
various questions Of interest connect
ed with their respective vocations.
They generate an cumulative spirit
among stock raisers, resulting in ma
terial Improvement Of useful and do
nestle animals. They encourage
superior workmanship by award
ing premiums to skillful labor
in manufacturing useful or orna-
mental articles. But does any
thoughtful observer fail to discover
their gradual deterioration in prac-
teal utility, degenerating into'a sort
Of social amusement association, in
which "turf speculations" constitute
the principle feature. We do not
wish to decry amusement, for it is
essent ial to health and happiness,
but we submit it to the intelligent
reader, if the highest and most
tempting premium is not invariably
awarded for the execution Of a piece
of performance, the ability TO accom-
plish which is OF the least possible
benefit to society, Aside from the
transient sport of racing, of what
conceivable advantage are fast horses
over those Of ordinary speed, are
they not decided disadvantage in
not being able to draw heavy load
and earn an honest living for their
owner, while they not unfrequently
prove . snare to their possessor, con-
Quoting him down to bankruptcy
and ruin. For all practical purposes
horse of ordinary activity can tray
el with sufficient rapidity, and such
as are Of additional service in team
ing, farming, &c, should receive a
higher premium than the one whose
only superiority is feetness.
There are no objections to award
ing prizes to fast horses, but we
gravely question the wisdom and
propriety OF giving them the "sweep
stakes" while horses Of real practic-
al utility are showed off with q mere
pittance. Farmers are sure to raise
such horses as will sell for the most
money, and the premiums awarded
at local, county and State fairs have
much to do in regulating the demand
for the same, and consequently we
find the country overrun with small
and inferior horses, bred with Wow
to trotting and racing, because such
horses are most popular at fairs
Laws upon our statute books de-
sign to make betting and gambling
odious and disreputable, to say the
least but why do people try to raise
or obtain fast horses, if not in the
majority of cases to bet on, gamble
and win money with and why do
fairs award "sweep stakes" premi-
ums to such, if not to encourage the
raising Of fast horses The farmer
receives fifty cents or dollar for the
best quality Of grain, three or four
for the best brood mare and colt, the
mechanic perhaps half enough to
compensate him for exhibiting the
result of his skill, and every other
useful thing is but slightly touched
with the philosophers stone, when
up comes 1.-TWO forty" and sweeps
away pocketful of greenbacks.
Will agricultural societies please look
into this matter a little Would it
not be we'll either to change the or
der of business somewhat or call
things by their right names ?
EE-We record with sorrow the
death Of Admiral Dahlgren, who
died suddenly of heart disease in
Washington on Monday last. He
had been in the naval service of the
United States for forty-four years
and during the war of the rebellion,
by his sterling qualities as naval
commander, achieved a worldwide
fame, and became the head Of oar
navy. BY his death the nation has
lost one of its bravest heroes and
best men,
Es-The Canadians are beginning
to talk about independence. Old
mamma England left them alone to