The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-10-31
REFLECTION ON TIE FAIR.

REFLECTION ON THE FAIR.
Now that the Fair Is over, the throng Of
visitors dispersed, and the hurly burly sub.
sided, we can look back over the field Of
incident and comment upon some Of is iea-
lures.
We have before expressed the opinion
that the occasion was satisfactory ono, to
managers, a. well rs 10 visitors and the
reason Of this lies as much in tho absence Of
what has, in previous exhibitions, been OBJ,
jeclionablo. if not positively offensive, as in
tie presence Of meritorious articles Of exhi-
bit. For once, the just character Of the
institution WAS fully appreciated, The sti,
mnlus, perhaps III some measure due to pre-
ceding Fairs. but more specially TO aroused
public interest given to Agriculture and
the Mechanic Arts. had its response in the
large and varied display Of all that was
mos, perfect, most useful and most beauti-
ful. A Fl expression was found for that
feeling which, dissatisfied with past medic
Gritty, aspirea 70 something better and high.
er. EleSe was manifestation Of that con.
seriousness that effort was needed to keep
pace with the worlds march Of progress
that The Old ways lad lost their safety and
their charm. and interest as well as self
preservation called for change.
This change has been long in coming.
That peculiar conservatism which attaches
to every thing North Carolinian, has clung
to nothing. more tenaciously than to our pre-
valent system Of Agriculture; system
which has given precedence TO muscle over
brain; kystsm which has resisted the iu-
noYation Of book farming 8 system which
repudiates the help Of agricultural mach,
merry. But necessity has compelledaa de,
pendence long resisted, and there on the
Fair Ground were seen the fruits Of THU
new alliance not fanciful devices for theo.
retic accomplishment. but practical SOLD
tions Of troubles that hsd defed centuries
81 Insnua! effort. II was TO the advantage
Of this Fair that il ms not over crowded
with novelties, but thai It had its full shar,
ouly OF what commanded itself for simplici'
y and practical utility.
There was this general unitarian charso.
ter throughout the whole exhibition, and
while there was much to Amuse. smuse.
ment was entirely sukaEdinate to what wa,
useful. We referred 10 che absence Of what
sas Objectionable. This Was manifested III
the total absence Of all side shows, all
games Of chance, all those devices so impu.
IDENTIFY thrust into the faces Of the unwary
and inexperienced. on former occasions as
sociating the State Fairs with all that was
hostile to morality and sound virtue. The
horse races we're lees the prominent features
than heretofore. and while there was Just
enough Of them to add variety to the o.
musements. there was not enough TO engIoss
interest. The managers too, deserve spe-
cial commentator for their precautions ta
secure temperance and preseryegcod order
and the very excellent orders, rigidiy en-.
forced, entitle them 10 the thanks Of the
large nssenblagc all Of whom were direct
" affected by this proyitent consideration.
Reviewing the whole subject, aud tht
whole character Of the Exhibit, We think 1
frmer step has been taken than any pre-
yious one TO make the State Pair . perms
nent institution. Il seems now fully en-.
barkei ID it, mission de the true exposito
Of the industrial progress Of the State; NJ
more a mere Rssemblags Tor amusement
but meeting point where every inierss
and every pFoduc; Of tie State il laid opsi
20 public inspection. compared aud discuss
cd. Wien taose functions Of the iusliiu
tion arc recognized, thea its objsc. viii hay
boon attained aud coupled with the sdmi.
Ted onward progress that has been entere
upon. We have little apprehension Of an
future ralfograde IL interest " ir excel
lenco.