500 



in all that wbicli adds wealth to a community, which modifies the wear 

 and tear of human life, and indirectly promotes the good taste, the cor- 

 rect deportment, the comfort, and the usefulness of the great mass of 

 the community. 



FelloAv citizens, I will not detain you longer with these plain, com- 

 mon-sense remarks and suggestions. In behalf of the Society in whose 

 name we speak, let me express to the ladies our ten thousand obliga- 

 tions and thanks for your timely, tasteful, pains-taking eftbrts, to impart 

 interest, pleasure and profit, to this, our first public exhibition. 



To the gentlemen who have contributed of their means, or who have 

 presented their finest and best, our cordial gratifications are due. Go 

 on, then, in the race commenced. If successful competitors, you have 

 our congratulations, and our assurances, also, that if you excel all others 

 another year, it must be by increased care, and labor, and expense. 

 But go on: our soil is rich enough; our resources are abundant;, 

 our mental, mechanical skill, is not yet exhausted ; the goal of perfection 

 none of us has yet attained. 



To the citizens of Charlotte who have gratuitously provided and ar- 

 ranged all these fixtures for this our annual fair, accept at our hand& 

 these, our sincere thanks, and expect that having cast your bread upon 

 the waters, you shall find it ere many days. 



To the members of the executive committee, let me congratulate you 

 upon this, our successful issue. The past year has indeed been one of 

 much painful anxiety, of inexperience, of effort, and of expense both of 

 time and money ; but the fruits of our labors this day witnessed, more 

 than compensate for all. In some of our plans and regulations w& 

 may have erred, but the experience of the past will guard against the 

 like in future. All that was ardently desired, has, indeed, by no means 

 been accomplished this first year of our organization, but we see no ad- 

 equate ground of discouragement. Causes are at work which will pro- 

 duce their legitimate effects. The seed which has been sown will ere 

 long produce a plentiful harvest. Then the sower and the reaper will 

 rejoice together. 



Fellow citizens, and all who hear me this day, our best wishes 

 attend you. Renew your diligent efforts towards interesting all the 

 inhabitants of the county, in these so much needed, so praiseworthy 



