The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-11-17
The Colored State Fair.


The Colored State Fair.
r1oouapt Addresses bv President Isaiah 7. Mont
gomerv. tcoIoredl and Governor Lowry
President Montgomery said Ladies and
Gentlemen. Friends and Fellow citizens
A representative of the Colored State
Fair Association il has become my DUTY To
offer some remarks at this time. i sincere
lv wish that the task had deyolved upon
some one better qualified to interest you.
A casual survey of this assembiage Is con-
vincing proof that this occasion Is one OF
more than ordinary moment not only TO
our race. but has drawn largely upon the
interest and attention of the white race
II is unnecessary for me to detaln you
with a lengthy exposition of the numerous
benefits TO be derived by us and the COM
munitv in general from these annual exhI-
billions. The subject has been ably demon
strated by that great moulder OF pubic
oninion. the public press, and l trust 1t
will if possible be more fully presented by
the array of talented and honorable gentle
men who have deemed the occasion oil
sufficient importance to lay aside their ex-
acting duties and accept our invitation to
address YOU from time to time during the
progress of our fair.
The object and intent Of this association
il to arouse the pride of our race in the
product of their labors, by bringing them
into competition with each other and slim
ulate their dormant energies to the produc-
ton of greater excellence III every avenue
of life. And I wish here to make public
acknowledgement of the active sympathy,
earnest counsel and material aid afforded,
and to other similar enterprises by the
white people of all classes. / believe that
their actions in these instances have, better
than any words, given an answer to the
yexed problem of the future of the two
races in the South.
Owing to unfortunate political differ
ances grave fears have been scientifically
| demonstrated of a growing estrangement
between them. Politics is a sentiment
often deceitful and misleading in its ten
denotes but what we have before us to-day
is a truth and reality. By reference to
our catalogue and supplemental list it
will be observed that the subscriptions to
our premium list in merchandise amount
to near $3.50, and in cash to near 5000
making a total of about $3.50. About SO
per cent. of this was subscribed by white
people and the amount could have been
| largely increased but for the limited time
We have as our guests honored repre-
sentatives of our city and county govern
ments and the distinguished chief magis-
trate of the State, Gov. Robert Lowry, and
a number of other prominent gentlemen.
| Besides, we have numerous letters contain
| ing profound regrets for non ATTENDANCE
and words of goodwill and encouragement
| from eminent statesmen, iurists, clergymen
and representatives. Would this material
aid be profered, would these distinguished
| honors be conferred, by enemies? No
same man can contend that they would be-
Like the sunlight struggling through the
mist and Jog OF the morning, the truth
dawns upon us that we are friends for the
future as We have been in the past; that
together the two races will replenish our
worn lands, hew down the boundless forests
and uncover the virgin soil to extend our
triumphs in agriculture, manufacturing
and in the arts and sciences. Together
they will rebuild our fallen fortunes and
make our fair South land in reality what
Nature has endowed it to be-the fairest
| heritage of mankind.
Ladies and Gentlemen-In conclusion
and on behalf of the association | thank
| you for your kind attention here to-day.
thank the citizens of our city and county
Tor their liberal assistance. | thank The
press OF the State, of the South generally,
OF Nicksburg in particular, for Invaluable
encouragement
President Montgomery then introduced
| GOV. LOWRY,
who spoke in substance as follows:
lie said that he had the honor last
year at Jackson of opening the first fair
ever held by the colored people of this
state. He had also opened the last
State falr held by the white people, and
he had no hesitation in saying the
colored fair was the better of the two.
1t has been said that the colored people
are not advancing in intelligence and
The ownership of property. The assess.
ment rolls OF the Southern States showed
that this race, which only began the
battle OF life quarter of a century ago.
owned not thousands but millions of
dollars OF real estate, and such an enter.
prise as this fair was a convincing proof
OF their intelligence. He said the ex
hlolts here presented would be credit
20 any race, and advised them to en-
courage these fairs for agricultural pur.
poses: DO not, as the white people have
too often done, permit them to degener-
ate into morse races. Mississippi NAV
not be able 10 boast Of the mineral
wealth of Georgia and Alabama. but sbe
Is the greatest agricultural State that
the sun ever shone on. The colored peo-
PIE nave boundless opportunity Cor
development in fields of labor most
congenial to them.
he then spoke of the improvements
IN agricultural appliances and nro,ad
them to use their surplus cotton sead -
feftilize the soil instead of selIiog i for
the small prices offered for it. He said
a farmer in Holmes county laet year
used 100 bushels of cotton seed 10 tba
acre, and made 1140 bushels of corn ' ao
II acres of hill land. Another farroar
used 40 bushels OF cotton seed 70 The
acre, and raised so bushels of corr, -
the acre on land that had the nre1io,,s
year only yielded about 26 bnsheIs
with cotton seed worth only > cants
Dushel, and corn worth so cents a bushaI
IL was surely economy to use the ca+to,'
SEED as fertilizer. Another thino ~
farmers of this State fight the greas :. |
tne.r helds from April to October and
ABOUT the hrst of November thew begin |
euying their winters supply of bav
rom Inc North. This should be CHANGED |
ora ID beats fodder and costs notbing |
Inc conditions for thedeveIopment of |
ooen races are most favorable in tbis
90 osa1e ne State debt is about $500
ooo. The other Southern States each
pay more interest annually on their
9 W than Mississippi owes in princ;naI
we pay smaller taxes than almost a P
otate In the Union. Mississippi nav
annually nearly 100000 for school
purposes, aud the colored peonla get IL
uosl OF 1t, The colored people are
growing In independence and msnbood
&c ane young colored man knows notbing
:, slavery, and the young white man
lows nothing of the prejudlces Of
;s"eney-nve years ago. They start even
=; - sas lsce OF life and perfect security
T r anolaeo each to fulfill his calling
d;g c eolored people can view with in-
uAsfence the changes in The cvra.+ -