322 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



to pay the balance against us; and here, where our currency is gold, 

 gold we must have or all business will languish and die. But there is 

 no need of discouragement if we will but seize the reins and put the car 

 in motion. Do not understand me that manufactures are the only 

 desideratum. We want combination and co-operation of enterprise. 

 Agriculture must be better and more varied, to embrace everything 

 within the range of our unequalled and diversified soil and climate. 

 Mining should be carried on with more intelligent economy and better 

 comparative results. All the parts of the industrial resources of the 

 country should come into play, for they are all necessary to make the 

 sum of that prosperity which awaits our bidding. These exhibitions of 

 peaceful rivalry are just what we need to stimulate us to greater and 

 greater results. They are the fruit of industry and measure the length 

 and breadth and depth of enterprise. The} 7 should therefore receive at 

 our hands all due encouragement, that may show us to be a people 

 worthy our name and pretensions • free, enlightened, refined, progressive. 



Before closing, 1 beg leave to say to those who are here from a dis- 

 tance, we are glad to see you and feel honored by your presence. We 

 are aware of the inconveniences inseparably connected with the sojourn 

 of a large number of people in a small town. But I sincerely trust 

 there will be no such thing as extortion or other cause of complaint. 

 The people of Chico will, I believe, do all in their power to render the 

 stay of their visitors agreeable. I must not omit to express the thank- 

 fulness of this society to those whole-souled, liberal-minded citizens of 

 this and adjacent counties, who have in our time of need so generously 

 lent us a helping hand. 



The ladies, whose kind and timel} r assistance was so acceptable in dec- 

 orating this hall, have our special thanks. Finally, to one and all, 

 ladies, gentlemen and children who grace the occasion by your presence, 

 I greet you in the name of our society with a sincere and heartfelt 

 welcome. Good night. 



