The Great Fair at New Orleans [pp. 169-172]

THE GREAT FAIR AT NEW ORLEANS.
Surveying this picture, we saw at a glance that if this institution was to have
been advantageous to the State when its projectors called it into being, it
had become, under the changed aspect of the industrial interests of the South,
one of paramount necessity. Knowing what similar organizations had effected
for the public welfare in other sections of our country, we determined that what
human energy had accomplished elsewhere it could do here.
We were told that all attempts to permanently found in this State an institution like ours had failed. But this declaration, as discouraging as it was, did
not change our determination. Previous failures, however signal, but inspired
us with the same spirit of perseverance that the simple little spider aroused in
the bosom of a Bruce; and the necessities of the liour led us to resolve that, in
this enterprise there should be "no such word as fail." We proclaim tliis in no
boastful spirit, but purely to set forth, in strong and pointed language, our firm
convictions that, with a people such as ours-with a country so bountifully blessed by Providence-with a geographical position without rival on this continent,
that neither. desolation nor despair, though they may retard, can ever permanently arrest our onward progress and future prosperity.
Again, then, the board of directors resumed their labor. Withl all of these
disadvantages and disheartening circumstances staring us in the face, we determined to hold the first grand State Fair of this association this year.
The result of our combined labor is before you. Without the necessary experience in the management of a State Fair, we resolved to educate ourselves to
a possession of the requisite knowledge.
This was not our only difficulty. We had to arouse the people to impress
them with the necessity and importance of this great work; to urge them to
identify themselves with it, and to co-operate with us in carrying it out. The
press of New Orleans, enterprising, liberal, fully awake to the public welfare,
nobly seconded our efforts; and day after day stirring appeals have appeared
in its columns, calling on the people to do their duty. These appeals have not
been made in vain. The grounds and exhibition buildings to-day, filled with
evidences of man's inventive genius, are our witnesses. This vast assemblage is
our jury, and to it we feel we can safely commit our case and await its verdict.
We have not done all that our ambition prompted us to do. It was our earnest desire and intention to have completed the permanent buildings in time for
this Fair, in accordance with the complete plans of the architect (whi'th are on
exhibition to-day), but controlling circumstances prevented it. Where we fail
to satisfy public expectations, we promise- nay, we pledge ourselves-that in
another year we shall more than meet it. By that time, all the projected improvemnents will stand forth upon the grounds, and Louisiana will then possess
Fair Grounds unsurpassed in this country, and which shall be, long after the
projectors of this enterprise shall have passed awvay, the boast and pride of her
people.
With this brief and imperfect appeal in behalf of the Board of Directors, I
commit our association to the kind and indulgent consideration of a generous
public. I leave to abler hands the duty of elaborating the grave and interesting questions intimately connected with this movement.
Religion hads contributed its holy aid in callilng down the blessing of Heaven
upon this important enterprise. Grand and sacred music, whose tones of melody
pealed forth from breasts inspired by willing hearts, has filled the air around us
with "concord of sweetest sounds," enchaining all in solemn silence. Woman"God's last, best gift to man "-present here in numbers, smiles with favor upon
it. The mnechanic, without whose mind and arm we should not now be assembled, has faithfully labored for its accomplishment. It is left to me now to perform my duty. This I now do in proclaiming the Mechanics' and Agricultural
Fair Association of Louisiana a permanent feature of the State, and that its first
grand fair can now be inaugurated.
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