214 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



the olive from sunny Italy; the grape from the vine-clad hills of Germany; 

 wheat and grains from Russia; the orange, lemon, and lime from the Medi- 

 terranean shores; canned, preserved, and evaporated fruits from other sec- 

 tions. And yet, with all these, we have not yet exhausted our resources. 

 What country is it other than this, that will enable successful propagation 

 of the cherry and the orange side by side? Where the almond, walnut, 

 and chestnut of Italy and America grow in one yard with the banana, bam- 

 boo, pomegranate, fig, olive, and vine, and the peach, pear, quince, apple, 

 nectarine, tobacco, and melons find congenial soil. 



Let us not rest in our endeavors to fully test to its utmost the resources 

 of our county. Foreign capital will soon assist us; the great trunk rail- 

 roads of the East are pointing this way. To-night, as I speak, I see their 

 agents listening with interest, and he who now makes two blades of grass 

 grow where but one flourished before, is building wisely, not only for him- 

 self and his people, but a rich heritage for those whose welfare is great to 

 him after he has gone. 



We shall go through this world but once. If there be any good we can 

 do, let us do it now, for we will not pass this way again. 



In conclusion, I bid a welcome to all our visitors in behalf of Oroville, 

 and then open this exhibition for your thorough inspection and earnest 

 criticism. 



SPEECH OF J. W. BRIER, Jr. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: It is not within the compass of words to exag- 

 gerate the beauty and grandeur of all that we behold. Oroville, her door- 

 yards attractive in the garniture of lawn and December blooms, and aflame 

 with golden orbed fruit; rejoicing, especially, in the unexampled brilliancy 

 of this exhibition (reminding one of the sun rising under a snowy cloud), 

 may at least challenge comparison with any aboriginal community of Cen- 

 tral California. As for those prodigies of the south, whose fame is trum- 

 peted throughout the world, we shall be only too proud if they continue to 

 deserve one half of all that has been spoken in their praise. We cherish 

 neither envy, nor aversion, nor unbecoming pride. We do not resent the 

 prosperity of any part of our beloved commonwealth. We are for "the 

 country, the whole country, and nothing but the country." We cannot 

 consent to any plan of partition, and we desiderate soundness of judgment 

 in those who would alienate its affections, or disturb the perfect harmony of 

 its pursuits. 



The gentleman who opened the exercises on yesterday evening hinted at 

 a line of thought that I shall take the liberty of pursuing. Confessedly 

 unique as is the arrangement of this exposition, reflecting especial credit 

 upon the Directors, against whom for a lengthened period the elements 

 were at war, I could have wished that the pavilion, first attracting the eye 

 of the visitor, had given place to the oriental pagoda, second in the central 

 line of display. This arrangement would have been in keeping with the 

 chronological record. The first design, a model of decorative taste, is of an 

 architecture introduced to the Valley of the Ganges by the Arabian con- 

 querors. And this was the first stage reached by the migratory orange in 

 its progress around the world. From two species — the sweet and bitter 

 oranges of Southern China and the Burmese Peninsula — have sprung more 

 than fourscore varieties, cultivated alike for the singular beauty of the 

 tree, and the commercial value of its fruit. Hence, yonder pagoda (whether 

 Chinese or Japanese I am not called upon to decide) is readily suggestive 

 of the birthplace of the orange, as the Indian pavilion is of its wonderful 



