Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-09-11
BIaines Address at the New Hamp.
shore State Fair.

! MANCHESTER, Sept 3.-The fourth day
of the New England fair opened with fine
weather. James G. Blaine, ex-Gov. Smith
Geo. B. Loring and Major Portman enter
ed the grounds at noon, followed in other,
carriages by many distinguished citizens
Blaine was received with cheers. When
the party were seated, the President of the
New England Agricultural Society, George
B. Loring, introduced Mr. Blaine, who
spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen 1t is pleasant to
find ourselves in an assemblage where all
bear the name and higher honor than any
partisan designation. An aSsemblage in
which we meet on the broad plane of
American citizenship and rejoice in the IL
tie as in itself constituting distinction of
priceless value. The agricultural fair is
the farmers parliament. 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
ON which the Republic rests for its security
and its prosperity. 1t has become trite
saying that agriculture is the basis of all
wealth, but the full measure of the state
ment may be comprehended when we re-
member that in this year of grace, 1884,
the total value of the product from farm
and flock in the United States will exceed
$1,000 500, ,000-an amount brought forth
in single year vastly in excess of the Ma
tional debt at its highest point We are
not IN the habit OF considering New Eng
land as especially distinguished for agri-
/ nd tho animal rrodnct
her soil is greater in value than all the
gold taken from the mines in California
and Australia in the richest year of their
/ fabulous yield. The farmer is the true
and always successful miner in the extrac-
ton of money from the earth, a fact most
striklngly shown in the history of CalifOr-
mia, whose splendid march to wealth and
power only fairly began when the energies
of her people were turned to the prOduc
tion of bread for the world instead of gold.
The prodigiOus consumption of $4,000, 900
people is brought strikingly before us when
we realize how vast a proportion of our ag
gregate product is used at home and how
small share is sent abroad. The hundred
and odd millions of New England farm
products does not support her own people
and they are compelled to exchange
the fruits of their mechanical industry to
an enormous amount annually for means of
substance so lavishly outpOured from the
grainaries of the more fertile West and
this fact is but one of the many which
shows the independence of our people and
the vast extent of our internal exchanges
This scene to-day has an enhanced inter-
est when we reflect that throughout this
georgouS autumn, upon which we have
Just entered, it will be reproduced in count
less communities throughout our land.
From ocean to ocean. from the northern
likes to the southern gulf, the richness of
the harvest and contentment and happl-
ness of the people will be shown on fields
as fair and by displays as brilliant as those
which now delight our eyes and gladden.
our hearts, nor will autumn eXaust the
inspiring scenes When the chill of winter
on the northern border of the Union shall
make the southern sun seem genial and
welcome, our brethren of the cotton region
will continue the wOndrous story. They
invite us to witness the commercial
emporium of the South, the great triumph
of the Southern agriculture in the prOduc-
| tion of that single plant which has revO-
lutionized manufactures. They have the
! finest OF the world, which has enriched the
| United States beyond the reach of the i'm
! agination, and has added incalculably to
the comfort, health and luxury of the
human race. Standing as do in the fair
New England States, it is an agreeable
duty to extend congratulations to the New
England farmers on the result of this
years labor and on the general and i'm
portant fact that at no period in the history
of New England husbandry has in
telligent labor been blessed with
more profitable results than during
the present generation. If there
be any one that doubts this. l wish he
was here to-day and could hear what l
have heard and see what l have seen ap-
plase]. l heartily congratulate the New
England Society on the brilliant success of
this exhibition, and beg to return my sim
cere thanks to all for the personal kind
ness and cordiality with which / have
been hOnOred
At the conclusion of Blaine's remarks
he was given three cheers by the crowd, to
which he bowed his acknowledgment.
Blaine was then escorted to his carriage
and driven directly to the residence of ex-
Governor Smythe, where dinner was
served. In the evening Blaine held re-
ception, and crowds availed themselves of
the opportunity to be presented to him.
From to 10 an uninterrupted stream of
callers poured into the hallway, and fully
| $4,000 persons were received by Blaine.
]