The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-15
The State Festival.

The State Festival.
By all Indications the big Tournamen
at the State Fair will be one of the gay
est scenes aver witnessed IN this region
1t is hoped that fifty or one hundret
knights will display their agility, dex
terity and hOrsemanship on the occa
sion. We hear that Cumberland coun
ty, alone, will have more than a dozeI
representatives. Eastern North Caro-
lima will be well champiOned. Tn,
spectacle of hundreds of gallant horse
men, in brilliant costumes, plumes, rec
sashes, iutterlng pennons, and glitter
ing swords, with the vast multitude
lining the Lists, and a million of pretty
girls, with glistening eyes fixed upor
the bright particular" Knight who il
to bring them the Coronet Of Love and
Beauty,-all this will be very inspiritins
and delightful!
The Soldiers Re Union, also, prom.
Uses to be a fine feature OF the fair.
When Col. Polk came TO consult with
us in reference to issuing a call to the
Ex-Confederates, we heartily urged its
adoption. First, because the time is
proritious for such a gathering, which
will do much to stimulate a feeling OF
State pride and second because 1t viii
hep to make the State FAIR a big State
FESTIVAL, and Misunderstanding of our
leading citizens. There is need Tor such
a gathering. The chief dry rot in
North Cardinals Social and Domestic
status is the Stay-at-tiome a%tiveness ot
our people. There are thousands OF
families which for t1oentB years have
never been twenty miles from their own
doors. There are thousands Of grand
parents who have never been outside Of
their own county, more than once IN
their lives, if even at ali
This is rather to their credit, than
discredit, for it shows them to be quiet,
~contented. aud conservative citizens.
But the time for a marked change j.
the habits, customs, and pursuits OF our
people has come. And II they never
leave the smoke OF their own chimneys.
how shall they see the new order of
things2 How shall they discover how
far the world is ahead of them? How
shall they learn the improvements
which their fellow-citizens of other sec
tons are making? In short, there is
not a bit of doubt that the great need
of the time is to get our people to come
together from all the hooks and corners
Of the land, aud compare notes, talk
over their success and failures, see the
new machinery and blooded stock which
are now coming into the State, and thus
enjoy a week of talking and sight
seeing. These observations hold good
with reference to the Local Fairs, also.
We hope to hear of immense assem-
blages at Tarboro, and also at Rocky
Mount Fairs Oates given elsewhere J
at Weldon, at Wadesboro. at Fayette
vile, and at Clinton. Let the people
come together!
Col. Polk is nothing if not energetic,
~ Yorktown" and Atlanta" which
tby aid of State money! seemed destined
to dampen the prospect for Our State
Fair. The partial failure Of the crops
may lessen the variety of agricultural
products; but the exhibits of fine cattle
and ~labor-saving implements, etc
should be greater han ever; for oul
State is filling up with them.
Persons who intend entering the
Tournament will please notify Col.
Polk at once. 1t is better to
%bringyour own horse, where at
all possible; for the demand upon
our city stables will be very great. Be-
sides, success IN d tournament, depends
upon two things, viZ-coolness in the
rider, and a thorough familiarity with
the gait of the horse. If the latter, for
instance, have d trick of stopping sud
denly, the Knight may find walking
ahead of him. or if the steed be inclin-
ed to swerve from a straight line, it
will result in-some other fellow crown
ing Beauty's Queen!
Col. Polk has letters from Gen. JOS.
h. Johnston expressing great regret at
not being able to attend the Soldiers
Reunion. Lieut. General d. II. Hill
expresses similar regrets that his duties
will not permit him to meet with his
fellow sufferers in the great struggle
for the Right" Senator Vance will
attend, and writes hat nothing could
give him more pleasure than to greet
his old comrades
Another attraction of the Fair will be
Capt. A. Il. Bogardus and his son the
most famous Rifle shots, and Glass.
Ball-Breakists on the globe. The Cap
tain wears the champion belt of the
world, and his son is almost his equal.
They viii have a tent on the ground
for exhibition of their fancy shooting
bu, will give a public exhibition, also.
A FOUL ATTACK on GITTEAU.-Tbt
halt wltted jackanapes who shot Gar,
held has again become a topic of news
Daper nOtorietv. On M,n1av ovou