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pressed with the Providential blessings that axe upon happy California. In 

 the range, variety, and order of her products, singular amongst the Bister- 

 hood of States, how greatly does her glory shine in the attention paid to 

 this first and greatest, as it is to be the last, interest of the human race. 



So much has been done in bo Bhort a history that it is no marvel that the 

 soil and clement Bunshine which justify the past performance, should exact 

 future duties. Reflect upon how small an area of your vast borders has 

 been Buhdued and converted to human use, and upon the immeasurable 

 possibilities that await your conquering energies! 



Our rivers are now carrying useless soil to the valleys, where it is not 

 needed, and in the slaked ocean are wasting the waters that should he 

 stored to conjure into fruitfulness the latent « dty of our arid plains. I 



know the vexedness of the irrigation problem, but put into it the force that 

 stormed your mountain walls, and the foresight and faith that made experi- 

 mental planting of the vine and olive, the tig and pomegranate, wisely 

 legislate to guard all rights, and then use with economy the wealth of water 

 (iod has put into your streams, and the cooling flood will make riches for 

 the million who are here, and homes for the millions yet to he. 



With this and kindred practical problems, inwrought with the future of 

 California. I would for these few moments engage your attention and ask 

 that you make from them the objects of thought and of public agitation 

 until the right way appears, and when it does, follow it as fearlessly as your 

 pioneers followed the death-bordered trail that led from civilization to this 

 untamed land of promise in the days long gone by. 



Let me not forget another duty put upon me by the gallant President 

 and Board of Directors: the pleasant office of thanking the ladies whose 

 good taste has so enlivened the exhibition within this Pavilion, and those 

 who have come from their sunny California homes to make attractive that 

 which without their presence lacks charms that nothing else can supply. 

 It it a truthful instinct which prompts them to promote the development 

 of the State's physical resources. Industry smites or soothes the latent 

 forces of nature and material wealth issues under its hand, and w r ealth not 

 only ministers to the grace and refinement of women, but it endows them 

 to be the instruments of charity to the many who are disinherited of 

 fortune and who are stranded upon the mercies of others. 



What more is suggested by the occasion that calls us here? In your 

 hall of mechanics and machinery are many of the devices of the past that 

 have descended to us in their perfection. Is there no further work for 

 invention in that direction? We inherited much from our fathers. May 

 we not enlarge the stock as we transmit it to our children? On this stand 

 sits a man whose name is identified with a harvesting machine that is a 

 miracle in wood and metal, which forty years ago would have been almost 

 the eighth wonder of the world. Has California none who will be fired by 

 his example? When our time comes to leave this rich heritage, let our 

 fields go down to the next generation under every possible improved con- 

 dition of culture; let our trees and vines be transmitted in performance of 

 the most perfect functions, and having given to those yet to be our part of 

 the earth in their most perfect order for the best known production, we will 

 have quit us like men, and have contributed our share to the necessities, 

 the comforts, the culture, and the refinements of life. 



Note. — It is to be regretted that we are unable to present Colonel Irish's remarks in 

 full. The address was made ex tempore, and through a misunderstanding no stenographer 

 was present to report it. We apologize to the Colonel and the reader. 



EDWIN F. SMITH, Secretary. 



