The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-11-07
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
During the continuance Of the State Fair,
we'll attended meetings Of this Society were
held each evening, and the nature Of the
transactions and the interest manifested
therein were the best commentary upon the
estimation in which the society is held BY
the representative farmers Of the State.
The attendance Of these was large. and
though participating but scantily in the dis.
cussions that arose. they were BY no means
backward in their manifestations Of salts
faction. In the evident progress Of Agri-
cultural revolution, the intelligent farmer
is prompt to admit the agency Of an inielli-
gent exponent d bis views and purposes.
II is recognition Of the power Of associat-
ell effort to accomplish great objects, and q
tile need Of leadership 70 guide that effort.
This is efficiently found IN an organization
whose business it is FIRST to COLLECT. then "a
diffuse information. The most appreciable
instrumentality for these objects has been
found in the working Of the State Fair; de-
fective, during portion Of its existence, in
failing to seize upon the vital idea Of IL
creation: catering for the time to unworthy
acquisitions, yielding 70 temporary consl'
derations Of gain to be drawn from conces'
sions to frivolous or deprayed tastes; jeo-
pardizing its usefulness or its duration by
departure from rigid line Of duty; now,
ut last. asserting It's true prerogatiyes. aud
embarking s.eadfastly upon its mission d
industrial regeneration.
But the errors INDUCED in during tht
past proved well nigh fatal to its life. A
cloud hung over its financial character. 4
certain suspicion darkened its reputation fol
strict justice and impartiality and the mo
raj sense Of many was offended by TOT
free federation to amusemcuts Of doubtful
proprlety; oil combined to fasten discredi
upon the State Fair and to bring bankrupt
cy upon it. There was unfaltering ccu
rage IN the Agricultural Society. Bn
courage, without the substantial resource
IL money. was OF little avail to set back to
tide Of disaster. Much u due to the per
sonal efforts o. Col. Thomas NJ. Holt, Pre-
sident Of the Society, who was consPicuou
IN his exsrtious. individually became res
pOusible for large outstanding debt. 70.
lieyed the Fair from its must pressing obi
reformation, and IN conjunction with hi
able cOadjutors. adopted the system whic
purged the exhibition Of its o5jectionabl
features. restored public. confidence, mad
the last Fair brilliant IN It's success and sa
tisfactory 10 its conduct, aud established
upon . basis that may seem TO ensure il
pcrmanenee.
And this permsnence d not iis duratiO
az mere place Of annual amusement. Th
gair has risen to lis real dignity rs an Agri
cultural. and Mechanical exposition. wher
the good that has been done will be see
and compared. and where the good that
JET 10 be done may be suggested or direct
ed.
The man who was unanimously and a
gAinst bic wishes. crowned for the tLir
time with The highest honors Of the Society
received q distinction earned BY practices
couflct with the sierDest subjects Of hpina
frial Col. Holt has experienced as niue
Ne any man the value Of that training whic
has compelled him into sympathy with ii
working mab (; and Us manufacturer and far
mer, successful 10 these IS ia other asoca
tiOns, owes nothing 70 theory. nothing to Ii
accidents Of fortune. but al TO hard Bori
good sense, and pure integrity.
Perhaps. when political service Or polit
cal training ceases to be the sole requisiI
for Office. then such men Is be MAJ BE- /;
ken up As the peoples chosen representa-
tiyes for the highes, bCnors in their gift.