Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-09-20
Gbe fireman.
MONTPELIER, VT,
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20, 1871.
The County Fair.

The County Fair
We confess to a strange liking for Agri-
cultural Fairs. Horace Greeley may know
more about farming than our humble self,
but it is Mt possible even for H. G. to enjoy
these gatherings Of the farmers, mechanics
and artisans Of our country with keener
relish than we give to them. We realize
that the real prosperity and growth and
wealth Of the nation are represented by the
yc9maury. and their wive and sons and
daughters, who delight to gather themselves
together at these rural exhibitions We see
before US. the men who have blessed the
world by making two blades Of grass to grow
where but one sprang up before. We notice
the oiservant and patient Tains-takers who
have given u improved breeds Of cattle and
sheep and horses. We feel the presence Of
those who, by sagacious foTethought and iu-
dicious culture through years, have brought
out for our delectation richer and rarer varie-
ties Of fruits and grains and vegetables. We
recognize the wise inventors and the cum
ming workers in wood and metal. whose skill
and lahors have 50 largely ameliorated the
condition Of tell imposed upon man when
Adam and Eve were driven out Of Paradise
Wcreiect, that by the many inventions which
man bias sought out in the implements Of
the shop and the Iabor-saying machines Of
the household and the farm, he has almost
turned tic ancient curse, of being compelled,
hy the sweat Of cur brows toeat bread, into
a positive blessing. We feel pardonable
pride in the mothers and wives and daugh-
tiers whose def handiwork spread on all sides
gives grace and delicacy and beauty to what
would else perhaps seem almost too utilita-
rian and commonly place. Then again there is
that beautiful freedom from conventional re-
straint, that kindly feeling toward ali man
kind, and that manifest interest in the evil
dences of neighbor's thrift and success in his
particular calling, 50 pleasing TO behold and
50 grateful 70 realize in ones own behalf
Il Is no wonder, therefore, that we cherish
a love for these rural shows and indeed all
exhibitions Of the ingenuity, industry and
productiveness Of the community. 1t Is not
strange that they prove seasons Of mental
refreshing and physical enjoyment They
and in the workshops,-the gala season Of
those who have all too few hours Of rest and
recreation and pleasure. Hence, viewed in
any aspect and from every standpoint, the
agricultural fairs and mechanical exhibitions
Of the country should receive the moral coun-
tenance and the material support Of all good
citizens.
Not only should we take pleasure IN at
tending Fairs, but we should feel it a sacred
duty to give them material aid ana endz.l vor to
render them interesting and beneficial to the
community at large We should strive to
make them creiitlbIe representatives, Of t he
localities in which they are holden Ia this
duty each individual in that community
should take part. The thought and the la
Dor necessary to make the exhibition sue
cess and credit should not be left to the
few but should be cieerfully participated in
by the many.
The Washington County Agricultural So
cie:y Is to I'D this Annual Festival at East
Montpelier, on Wednesday and Thursday Of
next week. The managers AMI directors 81
the Society have made ample arrangements
for the convenience Of exhibitors, the com
fort Of stock and the protection Of articles
on exhibition. They have provided nicely
for the entertainment and the pleasure oil
visitors and guests. Now let the people OF
the county perform their part Let them
bring out their nice cattle, and fine sheep.
their swift ami beautiful horses. Let them
fiji the Fair pens with their :. White Ches-
tiers and Essexs, and other standard
breeds Of swine Let the enclosures for the
poultry DC resonant with the shrill music Of
the feathered tribes. Fdl up Mechanics
Hall with the improved implements of the
farm and shop, reserving only space for the
mammoth and rare products Of the fields, the
orchards and the gardens Set out Floral
Hall in splendid array with flowers. and
paintings and embroideries, and the thousand
and one things which the ladies know %
well how to manufacture and arrange to
please the eye and crafty the senses, no less
than to subscrve the more practical and
useful demands Of d life which has much of
labor and care in it,
In conclusion we urge every citizen to feel
that this exhibition directly concerns himself
and the reputation of the county. Some Of
may have ,preierredI different location
for the Fair. hat should not keep us aloof
now. Washington county is to be judged
in part from the exhibition at EIst Montpe-
lier next week. We can, we must and we
WILL make it such one that-we shall feel a
conscious pride in proclaiming ''we too are
citizens of Washington county