Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-10-27
GEN. GARFIELD.

His Speech at the Northern Ohio Fair.
CLEVELAND, o., Sept. 9.-There vas
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 Gen.
Garfield and Ex-Governor Bishop. Brief
after dinner speeches were made by
Gen. Garfield, Bishop, and others.
Mr.. Garfield said :
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: While
! Gov. Bishop was speaking of the thrift and
prosperity represented on these grounds, was
| thinking of the forces at work in this couptrv.
which are silently but powerfully affecting the
relations between two classes OF our population
All who have thoughtfully considered the
reports Of the national census during the last
thirty years have observed the great growth Of
our cities and the comparatively small growth
OF population in our agricultural districts. In
fast, many of the older agricultural counties
have actually decreased in population. The
tendency OF civilization is towards the city and
away from the country. Let me ask you to
reflect whether this is good indication.
have tine to notice but one feature of the
problem. careful study Of the men who
have won distinction in every field of activity
pubic and private, professional and CONNER
clal, will show that large ma jority OF them
were born and bred in the country Examine
the roster of all our professions, civil and mill
tary; recount the men who have achieved dis
tpction in all the fresh fields of manufacture
and commerce, and you will find the larger
number were country-born boys, whose early
manhood had touched the soil and drawn
health, and strength, and inspiration from the
forces of nature which play with freshness and
freedom in the green fields of the country
[Applause.l Gentlemen, would you willingly
see the present tendency continued until the
m9 iOritV of orr DnODla ara inhabitants Of oraa4
cities? If this tendency must prevail, there is
one way to mitigate its evils, and that is by
bringing the city and country into closer bonds
of sympathy ; and this brings me to the chief
significance Of this Fair. This great and
growing city of the lake has opened her arms
to the country, and annually invites the people
who till our fields, dig in our mines, and work
in the country shops, to come among you and
| bring with them the fruits of the land and the
products of their skill In return you show
them the accumulation of city industry and
culture. Tl.is interchange is beneficial to both.
and, let me a5d, especially advantageous to
residents of the city. I am sure that the many
leaders of the commerce and trade of Cleve-
land who were reared in the country are re-
| freshed and invigorated by the 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, and recognize
anew their dependence upon each other. Isee
at this table lawyers, bankers, and merchants,
! whose eyes brighten at the remembrance of
| their country homes. One of the foremost
! lawyers and jurists Of this State an honored
citizen of your city, will not forget his pioneer
| life in the woods OF Portage County. I am
sure that Judge Ranney does not regret the
| harcships and inspiration which country life
| gave to his boyhood.