310 STATE BOAKD OF .AGRICULTUKE. 



still, iti some of the newer portions of the State where the settler's great object 

 is to make a clearing, there is enough being destroyed every year, that with the 

 investment of capital to work it into articles of utility, would give ample return 

 and profitable employment to many. We have rich mines of silver and copper, 

 and iron, particularly the latter, that will not be exhausted for ages. "We have, 

 in short, extensive undeveloped resources, which, if fairly represented at the 

 Centennial Exhibition, must appear inviting and attractive to European capi- 

 talists. A larger number of foreigners will visit this country during the 

 approaching summer, than the total number for many years past. A large pro- 

 portion of these visitors will be capitalists ; and finding in our undeveloped 

 resources opportunities for the investment or employment of capital, with the 

 certainty of a larger return than is possible in any of the older countries of 

 Europe, may be induced to take up their abode here, or, ii not remaining, may 

 form business connections with the country which shall be advantageous both to 

 us and them. 



As the primary object of an exhibition is to exhibit, we hope Michigan will 

 not fail to improve this golden oj^portunity of being represented, where it will 

 so materially affect her interests, in such a way as she ought to be represented, 

 and can be if her people set about it in earnest. The 2^^ople should be seen 

 there as well as their productions ; and when the peoj^le of other countries see 

 from Michigan as healthy and enterinising, intelligent and industrious a people 

 as are to be found anywhere, they will learn that we have driven ague and mala- 

 rious fevers from our abodes almost as effectually as the beavers of our primeval 

 forests. 



Let us now consider briefly some of the benefits of the Centennial Exhibition 

 with reference to the nation at large. As the individual is a part of the State, 

 and JDoth are parts of the nation, and as the nation is the aggregate of the 

 individuals and States, the benefits derived by each are to a certain extent par- 

 ticipated in by all. We propose now, however, to notice some of those collect- 

 ive benefits which must affect us nationally or through our national institutions. 

 An international exhibition furnishes a poAverful incentive for international 

 visits. The representatives of all, or nearly all, foreign nations will visit this 

 country during the approaching summer. Thus we, on the one hand, shall have 

 an opportunity of studying not only the articles exhibited, but also the individ- 

 uals exhibiting them, the differences and resemblances of national character- 

 istics. They, on the other hand, ^dll have an opportunity of studying not only 

 us and the articles we exhibit, but also the institutions which they see in opera- 

 tion here. Our government and national laws will be scrutinized and compared 

 with those of other countries. The respective merits and defects of representa- 

 tive and despotic rule, the comparative effectiveness of the machinery of the 

 State to promote public security, the distinctive marks of religion and morality, 

 the evidences of intelligence among different classes, our system of education, 

 the extent of crime, and the nature of its punishment, — these will all be care- 

 fully noted, and appreciated. 



One of the results likely to be secured by the exhibition is the impulse it will 

 undoubtedly give us a? a nation in the improvement of our educational system 

 as related to our varied industries. With regard to technical or iudustrial edu- 

 cation we aro, it must b3 ailmitted, lamentably deficient a? compared with the 

 countries of Europe and with Great Britain. This deficiency is all the more 

 remarkable when we consider the importance which tlie average American 

 attaches to the idea of money making. Mere culture and intellectual distinc- 



