The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-11
TIE RECEPTION At NEwDgRRY.
Cnunfry Yersu. CITY.

GENERAL GARFIKLD'S SPEECH AT THE NORTH
ERN OHIO FAIR-THE TENDENCY TO CONGRE-
GATE IN CITIEs-oUR GREAT MEN BORN IN
THE COUNTRY-TBE NORTHERN OHIO FAIR.
CLEVELAND, September 9.-There was an
immense attendance the largest for years
at the Northern Ohio Fair to-day. The
weather was delightful. Among the guests
OF the Association were General Garfield and
Ex-Governor Bishop. Brief after-dinnCr
speeches were made by General Garfield,
Governor Bishop, and others. General Car
field said
Mr.. President and Genilemen,- While
Governor Bishop was speaking OF the ex-
hibition Of thrift and prosperity represented
on these grounds, was thinking OF the
forces at work in this country, which are
silently but powerfully affecting the rela-
tons between two classes OF our popula-
ton. All who have thoughtiuly considered
the reports of the national census during
the last thirty wears have observed the great
growth OF our cities and the comparatively
small growth OF population in our agricul-
tural districts. In fact, many OF the older
agricultural countries have actually de-
creased in population. The tendency OF
civilization IS toward the city and away
from the country. Let me ask you to
reflect whether this Is a good indi-
cation. / have time to notice but one
feature OF the problem. A careful study
OF the men who have won distinction in
every field OF aclivity-public and private,
professional and cOmmereial-will show
that large majority OF them were born and
bred in the country. Examine the roster
OF all our professions, civil and military,
recount the men who have achieved distinc-
ton in the first fields Of manufacture and
commerce, and you will find that for the
larger number were country-born boys,
whose early manhood had touched the soil
and drawn health and strength and inspira-
ton from the forces OF nature which play
with freshness and freedom in the green
fields OF the country. [Applause.] Gen.
tlemen. would you willingly see the
present briliancy continue until the
majority OF our people are lnha0ltants
OF great cities! IL the tendency must
prevail there il one way TO mitigate its evils,
and that is by bringing the city and coun-
try into closer bonds OF sympathy, and this
brings me 10 the chief significance OF this
fact, that this great and growing city OF the
lake has opened her arms to the country and
annually invites the people who till our
fields, dug in our mines, and work in the
country shops TO come among you and bring
the fruits of The land and the products OF
their skill. Ia return you show them the
accumulation Of city industry and culture.
This interchange is beneficial 10 both. and,
let me add, especially advantageous 10 the
residents Of the city. | am sure that the
many leaders OF the commerce and trade
Of Cleveland WHO were reared in the
coustry ale refreshed and invigorated
by che reminder OF their youth which
this Fair gives them. They remember
the rock from which they were hewn, the
soil on which they grew, and are better and
stronger for the remembrance. In this
Fair the city and the country shake hands
In renewed friendship aed recognize anew
their dependence upon each other. l see
on this platform lawyers. bankers, and mer.
chants. whose eyes brighten at the remem-
brance OF their country homes. One of the
foremost lawyers and iurists OF this State -
an bonored citizen OF your city-will not
forget bis pioneer life in the woods Of
Portage county. / am sure that Judge
RsnDey does not regret the hardsbips and
Inspiration which country life gave TO boy
hood