Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-05
mAe U1nnleatar-
FRIDAY MORNING. FEB. 5, 1856.
LOCAL.
THREE OPINIONS!
ABOUT THE PROPOSED DIS
IRICT AGRICULTURAL
FAIR.

FAIR.
THE Humorous OPINION OF A ROCK
BRIDGE MANTLE EARNEST OPINION
OF AN AUGUSTA MAN AND THE BUsI-
NEss-LIKE OPINION OF ROCKING
HAM MAN.
&C.. &C., &C.
The meeting to be held in Stanton on
February 18th, to organizs District Fail
will attract more attention than any that
has preceded it. The subject has been
literally discussed in all sorts of moods,
"from grave to gay, from lively to severe;
and the counties of Rock bridge, Augusta,
Rockingham, Allegheny, Bath, Highland
and Page, seem to be more interested in
it than at any time since the plan VS.
first mooted. We give below three letters
which will give pretty good idea of the
drift Of the popular mind:
THE OPINION OF COL. ROSS OF ROCK
BRIDGE.
LEXINGTON, VA Jan, 18th, 1886.
Editor Fttrna and Home:
| received few days ago very polite
invitation from MI. G. Julian Pratt to be
present at d conference in SJaunton on
10Th inst, to consider the proprieJY Of es-
tablishing in that city a District Fair.
This understand to be proposition TO
abandon all County FAIRS within the sew
eral counties composing the District. and
to concentrate all the money and material
on d monster exhibition in the good city
of S5aunton. This would certainly be a
good thing for Staunton, and might not
be bad thing for the otner counties in
the District which have not hitherto de-
val3peI sufficient enterprise from within
to nave i. local exhibition. But it does
ssem to be asking good deal of the great
county of Rock bridge, which has for more
nan quarter Of century made an an
uGal exhibit OF the best of her products,
animal, vegetable, raechanical and all 9th
er, upon Der own grounds, bought and
paid for With her own money. and now,
after an existence of thirty years, is out of
debt, and waiting for the recurrence of
another season to set her table again for
the delectation OF her own people and such
of their friends as may accept her invita-.
tion to Join with them.
One OF the chief advantages of County
Fairs is the opportunity. and occasion they
afford for social enjoyment, after the
years work is done, the people of the
county, all mora or less acquainted, bring.
ing what they have worth looking at, put
it on exhibit IN, and spend two or three
days at merry picnic. The time of Che
Fair is a big holiday time for the farmer
and his family, and it is all he has during
the year. I am sure our Stanton friends
would not be so ungenerous as to ask us
to give this up that they may set a more
bountiful table and invite a larger cOmpa
ny. Now, Mr.. Editor, [ would not for
the world say anything to hurt anybody's
feelings. but the truth Of history compels
me to state that the people of Augusta
don't seem to be a Fair minded people.
They have been working at their County
Fair for years, and according to their ac-
count, without the most gratifying result
pecuniarily. Would 1t not seem unwise,
not to say unkiDd, to lay the greater bur-
den of a District establishment upon the
shoulders which have been so oppressed
with the weight of a little county affair?
1t may be that the details of county Or
ganIzation are so small and insignificant
that their mammoth intellects cannot con-
tract sufficiently to grasp them, and that
they would have no difficulty in Selling,
with firm hold the larger matter of a
district Fair l once knew a man who
could not work an example in the rule of
three, yet was pretty fair weather proph-
ct and was we'll up on the theory OF Evoll-
ton. But Augusta is willing to under
take the District Fair jobp Well, it is
really refreshing in these times of gloom
and despOpdeGcy to see such an instance
of cheerful hopefulness and sanguine tenn
permanent. elf at first you don't succeed,
try again." has long and often been COM
mended as good practice and nobly do our
Augusta friends seem determined to fol-
low it.
I can't attend their conference, because
1t is too close to certain asylum, and |
might be incarcerated for holding crazy
notions without even commission sitting
On my case; but will whisper in your
ear, Mr.. Editor, what l should feel obliged
to say if at the conference. My letter ls
already too long, so | can't elaborate.
First-if deemed best to have but one
Fair in the District. have it at Lexington.
Many reasons might be given. Second
My own preference would be for District
Fair to be held alternately at Lexington.
Stanton and Harrisonburg. My reasons
for this are so palpable as not to need lee
itatlon at this time. If deemed necessary
in subsequent communica ton it may be
done. Very respectfully,
~. LIZ AeOSo'
THE OPINION OF CAPT. G.. JULIAN FRATT
OF AUGUSTA.
Edator Stdu1eton indicator
The Baldwin Augusta Fair has been for
many years practically removed from the
narrow limits OF mere local Association;
but the suggestion that a District Fair
should be organized happily came from a
oil ST. Hoi of
Rockingham, ably seconded by Mr.. J. K.
Smith, editor of the Farm and Home
published at Harrisonburg, gave expires.
sion to the sentiments of philosophical
citizens Of that county, who, looking to the
''greatest good for the greatest number, "
sought to lay the broader and deeper
foundation of an Association which would
personally identify adjacent counties,
afford the opportunity at least cost to
build up a successful exponent of our
varied industries, and through this COM
b1ned effort, bring about healthful and
stimulating competition, add to our pros
perity and offer more attractive exhibit
tion to strangers of the products and pos
sibilities of this section. The practical
presentation OF these views, by Maj.
Chrisman, is the more forceful, coming
from gentleman whose interest and oc
CupdGlOu EdVO luouLIuCu I'LL WILL ouCL
institutions. and whose experience OF
twenty years justifes the expression of his
opinions. A successful farmer and breeder
of short-horn cattle. an exhibitor at every
important Fair in Virginia and MARYLAND,
an ex member of the Ex-COmmittee nf the
State Fair, and an unprejudiced public
spirited citizen. In location. these gentle
men both agree that Staunton presents
advantages an6 facilities to citizens OF
the entire district, which no other point
affords. Personal interviews with the
Directory of the Baldwin Augusta Fair,