Sl9 



bor go to enrich a corrupt and titled class, who hold no sympathies with 

 them. They come among us and ask to share our labor and the ben- 

 efits of our institutions. In fine, they ask to be regarded as men, and 

 I am prond to say, that no jealous or narrow-minded laws, in regard to 

 them, now find a place upon any statute book in the Union. 



I could not properly conclude my remarks without adverting once 

 more to the occasion, which calls so goodly a number of my fellow-cit- 

 izens together. 



Every country has, by the common consent of its people, set apart 

 certain days of the year for relaxation from labor, for the purpose of 

 enjoying in the pastimes and festivities which their respective holidays 

 seem to demand. This is right and proper. Relaxation from labor, 

 and indulgence in the occasional pastimes of the year, are as neces- 

 sary to the mental and physical developments of man, as labor it- 

 self. 



Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, belong to the calendar of 

 our festival days, and have been observed nearly ever since the first 

 settlement of the country. 



The ever memorable "Fourth of July" has been added to the list, 

 and now Avithin the three yeai-s past, other days for recreation, for ra- 

 tional and useful enjoyment, have been added by the workingmen of 

 Cass county. I mean the days set apart in each year for holding our 

 County Agricultural Fairs. We set apart the days most convenient 

 for the occasion ; other counties do the same, so do the different States. 

 The creation of these holidays (for such they really are) are indicative of 

 the progress of agriculture and the mechanic arts, and should be en- 

 couraged by the entire community. While they afford rest and pleas- 

 ant recreation, they bring together, once in each year, the farmers and 

 mechanics of our county. The friendly interchange of feeling and 

 sentiment which the occasion draws out — the plain told experience of 

 the year past — the exhibition of the products of our workingmen — 

 the friendly feeling which such days beget by thus drawing together 

 men and women from the remotest parts of our county, all contribute 

 to make our Fair days highly interesting and instructive. Such exhibi- 

 tions fitly represent the intelligence, the wealth, and the industry of a 

 people. They stimulate the husbandman to increase the amount and 

 quality of his grains and fruit, as well as the blood and condition of his 



