St. Paul daily globe., 1884-09-19
Blaine at Worcester.

WORCESTER, Mass, Sept. 1S.-James G.
Blaine arrived in this city from Boston at
noon to-day. He comes to attend the an
nual fair of the Worcester Agricultural So
ciety, and will be the guest of the society
and congressman VIM. Rice during his stay
in the city. Thousands of people were in
waiting and lined the route to the fair
grounds. A national salute was fired by
section of Battery B, during the arrival
His visit is entirely non partisan, the recep-
ton committee being composed of members
of the AGRICULTURAL society and representa-
tives of the different political parties. SEN
ator Hale, of Maine, and Lieutenant Gov
ernor Ames, of Massachusetts, accompanied
Mr.. Blaine, who was met at the union sta
ton blythe reception committee. The party
were driven to the fair grounds, where later
in the day Blaine will be formally presented
to the people. The party were met at the
junction of Elm and Agricultural streets,
near the fair grounds, by the marshals and
a cornet band, and escorted to the tent
of the president. The large crowd gave
Blaine hearty welcome. At the tent he
was met by the trustees of the society and
introduced by President Platt. There was
large gatharing of gentlemen representing
the city and county present. Lunch was
! served in the tent, and there was very
pleasant informal social interview, which
tasted until the time for speaking, when the
party adjourned to the Judges stand. Blaine
spoke as follows:
Ladies and gentlemen, l am sure that un-
| der this rich autumn sun, and in this rich
and prosperous state, yon will expect from
me nothing to-day but words of congratula-
ton, and If there be any one spot within the
limits of the United States which may chal-
lenge all others in prosperity, contentment
and general happiness, 1t must be the county
of Worcester, in the state of Massachusetts.
We are in the habit in our minds. without
looking closely at the figures, to think that
some rich sections of Europe are far more
populous than any sections we have in this
country. But in the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland there is not as
dense population as inhabit Massachusetts.
| From this point to the sea, there is not in
the crowded kingdom Of Belgium, not in
that hive of industry, Holland, so dense a
population as you on this ground represent
to-day. When you come to compare the
comfort, thrift and general prosperity of the
entire people, there is not perhaps on this
circling globe a community that can stand
in comparison. Out west, on those rich
lands that ''laugh crop when tiekled with a
hoe,'' in that ''boundless contiguity' of
space in which the agricultural district
stretches from the crest of the Alleghenies
to the great plains, 1t would be a
surprise to them, If It is not for you, that this
county of Worcester out of the !, 700 and odd
counties that make up all OF the states that
this county of Worcester Is the fifteenth in
the whole United States in value of its agri-
cultural products. And what is more sur
prising, that standing In this high rank in
the agricultural industry and agricultural
product, it stands still higher in the mechan-
zeal industry and product of manufactures.
For in that great list 1t stands tenth In the
United States. So that when you come to
estimate $500, 900, 600 as the product of man
ufactures In a single year and SO, 500, 900, 600
as the product of agriculture in a single year
in this United States, you can see what must
be the magnificent prosperity of this country,
that it should stand fifteenth In one list and
tenth in the others. Gentlemen, this coun ty
has been long noted, has been long known.
| 1t is the county best known in the state. So
widely known throughout the Union, and If
it were to be presented, or If any county in
this country were presented as illustration Of
what free industry and free schools and free
education could do, there would be one voice
in favor Of presenting the county Worcester
as that example. We are sometimes a little
jealous Of you in Massachusetts,, but perhaps
it's only for your superior prosperity. But
outside and beyond that jealousy l am here to
say on behalf of the state which was part of
the old commonwealth, that for the county
of Worcester and for the state of Massachu-
sets, no other feeling is entertained than
that of profound respect, admiration and
honor. Thanking you, gentlemen, for your
very cordial aud bospitabe reception, which
has been so agreeable to-day, and wishing
you an abundant increase Of the great pros
perity which surrounds you, bid you a cor
dial farewell.