FOURTH DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 323 



people. Is it not a duty we owe to society to disseminate accurate 

 information coneorjiing our resources? And is it not true that a 

 great responsibility rests upon those who are engaged in agricultural 

 pursuits, and upon whom, largely, depends the future of a region so 

 liberally endowed by nature? Ought they not to avail themselves of 

 every oi)portunity that will contribute to their store of knowledge, 

 and that will assist them in properly discharging their trust? 



With these considerations in view, the Directors of the Fourth Dis- 

 trict Agricultural Association have made ample provision and have 

 offered generous inducements for the exhibition of the best products of 

 our labor. That they have acted wisely in voluntarily submitting to 

 the trouble and expense incident to such a magnificent undertaking, 

 no one can seriously call in (juestion. These annual gatherings, com- 

 posed as they are of the thinking and progressive representatives of 

 the industrial pursuits, are a factor of incalculable importance in that 

 education of .the people which our own necessities and the demands 

 of this age require. The advantage of these fairs must be obvious to 

 every reflecting mind, and certainly in no part of the world do they 

 promise more than in California, and in no part of California, per- 

 haps, do they accomplish as much as in our own district. Besides 

 exhibiting the choice fruits of our toil, and indicating in a vivid man- 

 ner our possible achievements, the influence ujion the minds of those 

 more directly interested that these fairs exert to produce energy, 

 awaken enthusiasm, and to inspire to a higher conception of duty, 

 cannot be overestimated. We behold here a monument of the wis- 

 dom and sacrifice of those who believe that where "there is the most 

 of life there is the victory." The public sentiment that encourages 

 and sustains these annual displays, these friendly contests of skill and 

 strength, indicates in what high repute the sterling qualities of a vig- 

 orous individual and national life are held. They lead us to believe 

 that the majority of our citizens are profoundly convinced that every 

 man is under a solemn obligation, in whatever sphere of life he moves, 

 and with whatever endowments nature has enriched him, to manifest 

 the greatest activity possible in the service of his fellow man, and to 

 feel the greatest interest in the physical, intellectual, and moral edu- 

 cation of our race. The efforts of the Directors and friends of this 

 association assure us that mediocrity finds no encouragement here, 

 and that we are willing to do what we can to bring prominently into 

 view the inducements that California is able to offer those desiring 

 prosperous and happy homes. 



But however advantageous to a community such a fair as this may 

 be, we shall not be benefited to any great extent individually, unless 

 we place ourselves in the attitude of learners. Not only a willingness 

 to impart what information we can, but a disposition to interrogate 

 every suitable person, and to avail ourselves of every opportunity for 

 a contribution to our mental possessions, should be displayed upon an 

 occasion like this. We ought to feel that we do not discharge our 

 obligations to God and to society unless we use that which has been 

 committed to our control in accordance with our best judgment, 

 unless we act in harmony with the spirit of progress and inquiry, and 

 are willing to receive light from whatever source it may emanate. 

 These exhibitions of the superior skill of our people and of the varied 

 products of our soil, every citizen ought to attend, not simply to 

 gratify idle curiosity, but for the purpose of coming into contact with 



