The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-05
NEW ENGLAND FAIR.
An Immense Crowd on the
Grounds.
MIR. BLANKS SPEECH RECEIVED
WITH CHEERS.

MANCHESTER, N. H., Sept. 5.-The fourth
day of the New England fair opened with fine
weather, although the heat was excessive At
noon the crowd in attendance was not so large
as yesterday. A temporary platform was
erected on the racing track Immediately in
front of the grand stand, upon which the
speakers stood. The grand stand was filed
before IL o'clock. Shortly after II O'Clock a
barouche containing Hon. j. G. Blaine. ex-
Gov. Smith, Hon. Geo. B. Loring, and Mayor
Putnam, was driven to the grounds, followed
by other invited guests in carriages. Their ar
rival was greeted with cheers. Following the
carriage containing Mr.. Blaine were car
riages containing Gov ). w. Hale, Gov.
Bonnie of Rhode Island, ex-Gov. P. Cheney,
ex-Gov. James A. Weston, Gen. r, N. Batch
elder, Hon. Warren Batchelder, Col. j. Farr
aud Mr.. Gibson of the New York Tribune, ex-
Mayor G. B. Pratt of Worcester, Hon. A. l..
Brown, Hon. Joseph @. Moore, Hon. Moody
Currier, Hon. e. A. Rollins, Col John B.
Clarke, Col. Daniel Hall and General N. p
Banks. After the party we're seated the pres
ident of the New England Agricultural So
ciesE, Hon. Geo. B. Loring, introduced Hon.
MIR. Blaine's Speech.
Ladies' and Gentlemen-It is pleasant to find our
selves in an assemblage where we all bear name
of higher honor than any partisan designation, and
an assemblage in which we meet on the broad plain
of American citizenship, and rejoice in the title as
in itself constituting civic distinction of priceless
value. Tue agricultural fair is the farmers parlia-
meut On this day and on this occasion the most
independent class of citizens speak to the world by
word and deed for that great fundamental interest
which the Republic rests for its security and its
has to fNfN
agricultural is the basis of all wealth. But the full
measure of that statement may be comprehenOed
when we remember that in the year of grace, 1882,
the total value of the product from the farm and
flock in the United States will exceed So 600, 500-
OU0-an amount brought forth in single year
vastly in excess of the whole national debt at its
highest point We not in the habit of consider
ing New England as specially distinguished for ag-
riculture and yet the annual product from her soil
is greater in value than all the gold taken from the
mines of California and Australia in the richest
year of their fabulous yield.
The farmer is the true and always successful
miner in the extraction of money from the earth-a
fact most strikiDgly proved the history of Cali
fornia, whose splendid march to wealth and power
only fairly began when the energies Of her pOpula-
ton were tnrned to the production of bread for the
world instead of gold. The prodigious consumption
of Sc 600 900 oil people is brought strkingy before
us when we reallze now vast proportion OF our ag-
gregate products is used at home and how small a
share relatively is used abroad. The hundred and
odd millions OF the New England farm product does
not nearly support her own people, and they are
COMPLIED 10 exchange the fruits of their mec6ani-
cal industry to an enormous amount annually for
the Of subsistence SO lavi-hly outpoured from
the granaries of the more fertile West. And this
fact is but one of many which shows the independ-
ence Of our people and the extent of inter-
nal exchanges. This scene of today has an en-
HANGED interest when we reflect that throughout
the gorgeous autumn upon which we have just en-
tered, it will be reproduced in countless communi-
ties throughout our broad land. From ocean to
ocean from Northern Lake to Southern Gulf, the
richness of the harvest the contentment and happi-
ness of the people, will be shown. On fields as fair
by displ .ys, brilliant as those which delight
our eyes and gladden. our hearts. Nor will the
autumn exhaust the inspiring scenes when the chill
of winter the Northern border of the Union
shall make the Southern seem genial and welcome.
Our brethren of the cotton region will continual the
Wondrous story. They invite us to witness in the
commercial emporium OF the South the great tri-
umph of the Southern agriculture in the production
of that singular plant which has revolutonized the
manufactures. They have the finance of the world,
which has enriched the United States beyond the
rkach of imagination, and has added intellectually
to the comfort the health and the luxury of the hui
man race.
Saanding, as / do, in fair of the New England
States, 1t is an agreeable duty to extend congratu
lations to New England farmers the good results
of the years abors and on the general and more i'm
portant fact that at period in the history of New
England husbandry has intelligent labor been bless
ed with more profitable results than during the
present generation: If thers be an one who doubts
this wish he was here today and could hear what
have heard and see what have seen. Applause :,
heartily congratulate the New England ociety or
the brilliant success of this exhibition and beg to
kindness and cordially with which l have beer
honored.
Following the remarks by Mr.. Blaine Gov
Hale was introduced and spoke at some length
welcoming the guests to the State and exhibi
ton. He was followed by Gov. Bourne o.
Rhode Island.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Blaine's remarks
he was rendered three cheers by the crowd, t
which he bowed acknowledgements. Follow
ing the addresses Mr.. Blaine was escorted tt
his carriage and driven direct from the
grounds to the residence of ex-Gov. Smyth
where he was rendered reception this eve
evening.
At the close of the speaking at the park, Mr.
Blaine returned to the residence of Elk Gov. smyth
where dinner was served. A reception followed il
the evening. During the show of the reception
fully 10000 persons were received by Mr.. Blaine
and nearly twice as many more filed the grounds
about the house who did not enter, twice Mr.
Blaine was overcome by fatigue and compelled tt
rest few moments which he employed chatting
with ladies who thronged the parlors during tht
reception.