The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-09-24
GEN. GARFIELD.
His Entertaining Talk 10 tho People
nj the Northern Ohio Fair.

CLEVELAND, September 9.-There was
an immense attendance, the largest for
years Mt the Northern Ohio fair to-day.
The weather was delightful. Among
the guests Of the association were Gen.
Garfield and ex-Gov. Bishop. Shortly
after dinner speeches were made by Gen.
Garfield, Bishop and others. Gen. Gar
field said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: While
Gov: Bishop was speaking Of the exhibition OF
thrift and prosperity exhibited on these grounds
was thinking OF tho forces at work in this
country which are silently but powerfully af-
iectng tho relations between two classes OF our
own population. All who have thoughtfully
considered tho reports Of the national census
during the last thirty years have observed tho
great growth of our ciues and the compare
lively small growth Of population in our agi-
cultural districts. In fact, many of tho Older
agricultural counties have actually decreased in
population. Tho tendency Of civilization il
toward the city and away from the country.
Let mo AJAX you to reflect whether this IL good
| indication. i have time To notice but one fea-
tlrc Of tho problem. A careful study Of tho
men who have won distinction in every field OF
| activity, public aud private, professional and
commercial, will show that large majority OF
them were born and bred in the country.
Examine the roster Of oil our pro-
CiNh uiiu HuHtuTN, TCCOuHJ tuc
men who have achieved distinction in all the
| fresh fields Of manufacture and commerce, and
| you will find that O far larger number were
| country born boys whose early manhood had
| touched tho soil and drawn health and strength
and inspiration from the forces Of nature which
play with freshness and freedom in the green
fields of tho country, IApplause.l Gentlemen
would You willingly sce the present tendency
continued until the majority Of our people are
inhabitants Of great cities? II this tendency
must prevail there IL ono way TO mitigate its
evils, and that il by bringing the city and
country into closer bonds of sympathy. And
this brings INC to the chief Significance of this
fair. This great and growing city of the lakes
has opened her arms To the country and annu-
ally invites the people who till our fields, dig in
our mines and work in the country shops TO
fruits Of the land and the products Of their skill
In return you snow them the accumulation of
| city industry and culture. This interchange
il beneficial to both and let mo add
| especially advantageous to tho residents of the
city. am sure that the many leaders Of the
| commerce and trade of Cleveland who were
reared in tho country are refreshed and in
| yigOratcd by the reminder Of their youth which
this fair gives them. They remember "the
rock from which they were hewn," the soil OH
which they grew, and are better and stronger
| for tho remembrance in this fair. The city and
the country shake hands in renewed friendship
and recognize anew their dependence upon each
other. see ut this table, lawyers, bankers and
merchants whose eyes brighten ut the remem-
brance OF their country homes. One of the
| foremost lawyers and jIrists of this state, aIi
honored citizen of your city, will not forget his
| pioneer life in the woods Of Portage county.
am sure that Judge Ranney does not regret the
hardships and inspirations which country life
gave to his boyhood.