National Republican., 1885-11-21
THE coLoRED FAIR ArRALEIeH.
An Interesting and Significa Occa-
sion-NortI Carolina Enterprise.

sion-North Carolina Enterprise.
The Colored State Fair, which was held
at Raleigh, N. c., from the 9th to the 14th
instant, was most interesting and sug-
gestive affair. The first day was consumed
in recording entries and arranging articles
in the different halls. The fair was for
mally opened on the 10th by speech from
Gov. Scales. His speech was one of well
come to the many visitors, and an embod
iment Of good advice to his colorcd fellow
citizens. He urged upon the colored peo-
pie the necessity of securing homes Of their
own, and related many instances in which
honest labor and strict economy had been
richly rewarded.
The governor gave good reasons why the
cOlorcd people should own lands and build
better houses and advance themselves in
the knowledge OF husbandry. His speech
was pleasant and instructive one, aud was
highly appreciated by the large crowd OF
colorcd people who assembled TO hear him.
lie expressed himself us astonished at the
remarkable improvement made by the col
ored people of the state in twenty years.
The procession each day was large and at
tractiye On the 1lth an address was de-
livered by Il. J.. Thornton, esq, of Fayette-
Vile, n. c., q recognized representative of
| linians. The subject OF the discourse was
"The Problem OF the Hour
In solving this mucb-veXed problem Mr.
| Thornton set forth the potent necessity,
and urged upon his people the need of learn
ing the one important lesson of ''helplng
themselves He said they might gather
from present circumstances in what they
had failed to do, and what was yet necessary
to be done. He urged that the negro Is
here to stay, 1. c., he may be considered n
permanent Institution, and that any amount
of honest labor, economy, and frugalty
should not lie spared to advance themselves
in the dignity of American citizen
ship. President Cleveland was obviously
| pictured cs q revised edition of re-
| publicanism. Pleasant mention was made
of ex-Goys. Vance and Jarvis, and also of
| Gov. Scales.
Mr.. Thorntons discourse was pointed,
| his argument forcible, and his delivery such
as to clearly display his gracefulness and
ability. He did justice to his subject aud
reflected enyiable and lasting credit upon
himself and his race. Applause was loud
and timely. Tho annual Grafton was de-
livered on the 18th by Rev. John A. Saw
age, Of Louisburg, N. c., a Christian, a
scholar, and II gentlemen
The colored people have every cause to
be proud Of their seventh annual fair. 1t
was beyond doubt the best one yet held.
| INC uTIlCles SHOWN were IncIllDIlOuS uHil
reflect credit upon the race. There were
over 400 entries In floral hall, 100 in agrl-
cultural hall, 20 Of poultry, OF horses, 8
of cattle, ID Of hogs, and 3 of cotton. In the
line of poultry this last exhibit beats the rec
ord there being about $50 specimens. All the
fancy breeds Of poultry were shown, the
collection Icing unquestionaby the best In
the state at any fair, A great curiosity was
that Of cross between a guinea and a
chicken. Seven eggs were produced, OF
which two hatched, and the two hybrlds
were the result. These hybrlds lay well,
and the experiment may develop the fact
that such cross will produce good fowls.
Floral hall was richly decorated with
quilts and specimens of woman's handiwork.
The exhibits of oil painting and crayon draw
ing by colored artists were creditable. No
better specimens of farm products have been
at any time exhibited In the state than those
seen In farmers and domestic hall. The
white citizens of the state atten9ed the fair
in large numbers, and have ever shown
their appreciation for the worthy enterprise
by their liberal donations.
The colored people are earnest In theil
support Of this fair and manifest great
willingness and determination TO cultivate
themselves and In every way prepare tC
make useful and agreeable citizens. The
state furnishes the grounds, Scamp Rus
sell,n free OF charge, and donates $500 an
nually to the Industrial Association.