The Portland daily press., 1874-09-26

also mlgnC SCrlYe IOr success by the amount
or superior quality of their exhibitions in Or
der that they might secure as reward some
benefit to their own locality, either the de-
velopment of some new resource or new in
dustry, or the accession Of large capital and
the consequent increase of population. In
such cases, although the immediate advantage
occurs to town or district the general results
and benefits cannot be corlespondingly mar
rowed and limited, and therefore the entire
state is benefited by so much increase of its
prosperity and wealth. Not proposing, bow
ever, to discussthi subject at length, we COM
mend it to the careful consideration of all
workers whether with body or mind, and to
all goo0it;zens who wish well to their state.
We trust that the inhabitants of the state
will regard it as privilege and duty to at
tend the agricultural exhibitions within con-
venient reach. No patriotic or loyal citizen
should evade the responsibilities which at
tach to him here, any sooner than he should
those which belong to him as juror or vot-
er or soldier. These assemblies compare
lively of modern origin, institutions almost
of our day, must be regarded as significant
types and marks of the progress of the race.
The great gatherings of men recorded in
the history Of the world heretofore
have been for war. The nineteenth century
introduces new era when men assemble by
thousands and hundreds of thousands for
peace; for the promotion of material inter-
ests; to build up, not to destroy; to increase
mans happiness rather than ruin it; and it
is very noticeable that these peaceful and
progressive movements have been largely
identified with the expeditions OF industry.
To wise recognition of this new spirit of the
age and in harmony with it, the supreme
authority of the state takes from its treasury
money raised by taxing its citizens, and
testows 1t upon the several local associations
for the especial encouragement of the au,
tumnal fairs. Why, then, should not the
good citizen orally round the flag" and
sustain this policy of his state, which is also
in accordance with the principles of political
economy and wise craftsmanship? How
can he do it better than by contributing his
productions and his presence to aid in
making attractive and respectable these an
nual exhibitions from farm and workshop?
1t is not uncommon for a class of men to
patronize the fair by their attendance with
out adding their own contributions to it.
If it is true that "no man lives unto himself''
may not free rendering of the precept in
terpret its meaning in this connection to be,
that he is not much of man who gratifies
his eye by seeing the good things of his
neighbor without being willing to give him
similar privilege. Nothing so certainly
fnsures the success of such occasions as to
have every one willing to take stock in them.
and one rarely fails to experience some in
ward satisfaction when he has so much a.
attempted even, to minister to the gratifca-
ton of others. AS it is an injunction from
the highest authority "not to hide our light
but to let it shine so that men may see our
good works." so may we say that these fal-
mer's fairs give an opportunity, net, perhaps,
for the highest obedience to the command,
but, nevertheless, for sincere observance
of it.
Let all good men and good citizens there
fore. attend the good agricultural exhibi
tons that they may derive benefit from
them; and let them also attend those that
are not good, that they may make them
better by their presence.