OPENING ADDRESS 

 Of the 2flth Annual Fair, on lh« oth day of October, 1847, 



By the Hon. Mahlon Dickerson. of N. J. 



"•-•■■ 



Gentlemen of the American iNSTiTtiTE, and Fellow Citizens : 



It must be a source of the highest gratification to the friends of 

 domestic industry, to behold the splendid exhibition of this twentieth 

 anniversary of the American Institute. A magnificent display of 

 what American industry has done, and a cheering assurance of what 

 it can do, and what it will do, if protected against the blighting in- 

 fluence of the capital, skill and pauper labor of Europe. And this 

 must be more peculiarly gratifying to the early members and found- 

 ers of the Institute, by whose persevering zeal, with the aid of the 

 Legislature of New-York, it has, from small beginnings, become an 

 instrument of great power in promoting the prosperity of the Union, 

 and in carrying out the patriotic views of the Legislature, under 

 whose patronage it exists 



It was founded " for the purpose of promoting and encouraging 

 domestic industry in this State and the United States, in agriculture, 

 commerce, manufactures and the arts." 



Its liberal character, while conferring important favors, impose 9 

 important duties, which duties are expressed in concise and explicit 

 terms, and willingly assumed by the Institute. They are important 

 and arduous. That they have been performed with untiring zeal, 

 the present exhibition affords the most satisfactory evidence ; and it 

 is highly gratifying to know, that the exertions of the members of 

 the Institute are duly estimated by the Legislature, and that they 

 continue to enjoy its aid and patronage. Under such auspices and 

 such protection, its march wiJJ be onwards 



