Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-07
THE FAIR.
SPLENDID INCREASE IN THE RE-
CEIPTS.
Some Fine Races aud Good Time
The Opening Address at the
Pavilion Last Night.

highly encouraging TO the Directors of the
State Agricultural Society, the receipts at
the Park and Pavilion amounting to So
430 30, or 81, l57 more than on the the cor
responding day last year The attendance
at the Park was the largest ever known on
the first day Of the races, while there was
good attendance at the Pavilion in the even
ing. The opening address, by George A.
knight, of San Francisco, was listened to
with attention and warmly applauded. The
music was fine and was thoroughly enjoyed
by all. Everything is now in order and it is
expected that the attendance to-day will be
even larger than yesterday.
Tho Opening Address.
Shortly before nine o'clock, President
L. L. Shippee call TO order the large audi
ence that had assembled in the art gallery
and introduced George A. knight, of San
Francisco. who delivered the following
opening address.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen. l hardly
know why the honor has been conferred upon
me to deliver the opening address of the State
Fair in Sacramento. Possibly they have used the
same rule lawyers do in obtaining their jury.
When we find man whose mind is perfect
blank upon the issues and subject of the case
that is about to be submitted to him, we say that
man is a pretty fair juror he knows nothing
about the case and We think he will take in by
absorption, if nothing else enough to make him
arrive at a just and fair conclusion. In this
instance and with these surroundings il seems
to me that that is the reason have had the
honor extended to me this evening of being re-
ODD -
this annual fair of the State of Califor-
mia. In looking around this room 1t seems
to me now, at the present moment, to be more
of an honor than / had anticipated. Here in
Sacramento the first city of this Golden State
a city that has done more towards the civil
ization of this State than any city in it; built
by the pioneers and made by them stepping
stone for our States proud position; being the
sunrise of intellectual and inventive progress
that has always characterized our State; it is
fit and proper that this place should be desig.
mated the capital of the State, for the holding
of the State Fair
Have you any idea-of course you have
what a wonderful people we are getting to be?
Stop for moment and know what wonderful
country these United States of America have
grown TO be, and California part and parcel of
it. The principles that underlie, control and
sustain our national life are to be tested in the
coming years of the future. In our present we
have much to be thankful for, 60 100000 happy,
free and intelligent people, living within the
confines of the most wonderful country in the
earth in language that cannot be
misunderstood of the success OF a
Government founded by the people, of the peo-
pie, and for the people aud one that shall never
perish from the earth. When we undertake to
comprehend the wonderful advancement made
by this nation, yet in the swaddling clothes of
experiment, 1t seems like a fairy dream One
hundred years of a nation is in the ratio of
primary school time to the child and vet we
are to-day. in art, science, resources and inven-
tion, the leading spirits of the age. The raw
present waiting cCi
ence and labor to present new industries and
greater demands for our common country. The
workshop of industry is open early end late
and the sparks from he anvil of time lightens
up the future OF reward for the patient Vulcan
employed for the interests of our common
wealth, The iron mines of our country that for
long time lay carelessly Indifferent to afford
ing one pound of their priceless treasure, have
been opened to equip the steamers of COM
meree, furnish the busy mill of the thousand
industries ana have bound in fraternal ullion
the Orient and the Occident with the pathway
of the iron horse of travel. Our inexhaustible
mineral wealth can scarcely be estimated and
the treasures yet hidden in the granite safes of
the future, away from the gaze of the present
generation, will, be valuable incentives for
active brain and muscle in our children's chill
dren, that their inventive genius and industri-
Gus day time may lead them to the summit of
a peaceful plenty.
The sunrise Of hope breaks with freshness
upon prosperous future, and the grateful signs
of future prosperity cannot be marred by want
or sothful Indifference. Thousands upon thou
sands of Gods green acres have yielded, and
will yield, their abundant harvest, that we may
be nurtured aud bountifully fed. The beautiful
Sierras have furnished their precious metals of
trade to better our condition, and the mighty
vaults that for centuries have been closed, at
the command of scientific research opened
with spring, and the millions they had
treasured from their youth until the SHOWS
of ages had tipped their rugged peaks, have
been thrown recklessly in the lap of man, with
the command to the subjects az their base to
respond in just proportion American genius
caught the fire from heaven, and it speaks to
us from a hundred thousand miles of wire for
our family conversations. We may send it into
the bosom of the Atlantic and across its waters
and hold friendly converse with the islands of
the sea. Tired of the pony express, wearied of
the post. angry at the expense of the messenger,
we conquered time and distance by the wonder
ful invention that makes the telephone our con-
stsnt, companion and its necessity absolute.
Wonderful, say we all. is our present. Still
more wonderful the virgin years beckoning us
ON o greater achievements.
What shall we say of California, the regnant
queen, robed in her maiden garments of pros
perity and wealth, unspotted yet by a mistake
in anything OF interest TO her people. The Pa
eiiie pays her tribute with 1,S00 miles of its
waters, and invites the commerce of tine world
to voyage to her Golden Gate. One hun
dred and ninety thousand square miles,
yielding all kinds OF mineral and agricultural
wealth, sustaining her, and a million industri-
ous and energetic souls as her subjects. She
can progress and prosper from her own natural
resources and pour millions of dollars into the
treasures of the world, and though young in
years we ask no fayOrs from the worlds cities
for fruit and vine, and it seems that God has
willed MS perennial spring. Piercing the do
main of heaven, Shasta and Hamilton invite
the worlds tourists to pleasures denied them
elsewhere, while Yosemite proudly watches US
in our effort, and the Sentinel Dome stands
godfather for our patriotism and power Educa-
ton, science and art are no longer the compan-
ions of wealth and power exclusively. In
workshop and stubble-feld, our public schools
open their doors TO our growing children as a
potent factor in future civilization fitting them
for the highest type of American citizenship.
With all these tributaries to State and national
greatness we bid the future q courteous de-
fiance, and hand to our ehildren's children the
ark Of freedoms covenant in the presence of d
lasting peace.
And now, at this annual congregation of our
agricultural people, under circumstances most
encouraging and most auspicious, let us bid
each other God speed i'll our good work, and in
behalf OF the President and Directors of this
institution bid you all welcome. Stay with u.s.
be happy. and go to your quiet homes feeling
and Knowing that 1t was well TO have been here.
Mr.. Knights remarks were frequently
infeTruntad hv anDloueo