Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-05-26
THE INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION.
The Opening and welcome Address,

|
The Opening and welcome Address.
L In accordance with the announcement
Of the Secretary, Mr.. G. w. Charlton, pre-
cieely at two o'clock yesterday evening, in
the Industrial Hall, the welcome address
by A. J. Kicks, Esq, Of the CHRONICLE,
| was made. =
| On being introduced by Mr.. Charlton,
Mr.. Kicks spoke about fifteen minutes.
We give few passages from his address: /:
Ar. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
| 1t seems to me to; be eminently proper
| that an association OF this character should
open its exhibition by an address. 1 have
been honored by an invitation to make it,
but do net know as / apprehend correctly
the character and scope of the remarks e1-
| pected. The distinguished gentleman ap-
| pointed to deliver the address of the occa-
sion will doubtless fully and extensively
review the whole field of thought which
the circumstances make appropriate. AS
anything can say will not trench upon
the fuller and more interesting views
which his experience and ability will
readily suggest and present, i will venture
| to say what seems to. me appropriate at this
| time
And first, Mr.. President, Board of Di-
rectors and you, Mr.. Secretary, allow me
to congratulate you upon the very auspi-
cious circumstances under which this first
annual exposition opens. To one familiar
with the innumerable difficulties to be
overcome, the want of thorough organiza-
ton and mutual support-always insepe-
rable from the first attempt at such an
enterprise = the evidences OF success
which I see already, are sufficient
grounds for the congratulation / ex-
tend. There are always those ready.
to discourage with their doubts and fears,
with indifference or absolute opposition,
such enterprises as this. The first effort
in the direction of Annual Expositions of
this kind is particularly sensitive to such
demonstrations, and to have met and over
come them at the very outset, augurs ex-
ceedingiy well for your Association, and
leaves no doubt as to your future success.
Assured of this, it is peculiar pleasure
to me to extend to the exhibitors, specta-
tors and friends now assembled on this
opening day, the hearty welcome of the
Association.
We have gathered here for no COM
mon purpose. The occasion is not one of
but ordinary interest to this city or section
of the State. We are not assembled as
members of political organization to de-
liberate upon the interests of party or the
welfare of the natiou; we are not gather
ed as members of any sect to discuss ques-
tions of theology we are not met as
friends of any private enterprise, which
has for its object the benefit of the few to
the prejudice of the many; we are not met
as citizens of Knoxville to further our own
local interests; but we are assembled
as citizens of East Tennessee to honor
and dignity labor by exhibiting for
public approval and as proof
of our rapidly increasing prosperity and
true wealth, the products of our own in
dustry. This is an exposition of the fruits
| of mechanical skill-of the products, to a
considerable extent, of our own labor and
| dedicated by, its objects, as understand it,
| Mr.. President, to the elevation and en-
nobling of labor and the laboring man.
| The occasion, it therefore seems to me, is
| one of peculiar interest and significance to
us as people. In this view of our object,
| I am commissioned by the officers and
members of this association to extend the
right hand of fellowship and pledge their
| future cooperation to the industries which
| this occasion has developed, ,and to propose,
and here ratify, for all time to come, a
| treaty, offensive and defensive, between
| the capital and labor of East Tennessee
| the two agencies which alone can give us
| the influence, wealth and power which
nature designed for us. ..,-T-
I ~ ~ + .f. -
Just in proportion as we realize and ap-
preciate the value and influences upon eur
progress in civilization, of machinery, lust
in that proportion will we honor and dig
nifty the machinist, whose ingenuity and
patient labors conceived and made it.
And what higher service can be rendered
to society than is contributed by the ma
chanic, who invents and builds machin-
cry that relieves labor of its drudgery, and
opens for it new channels for profit and
usefulness. Put side by side, before this
audience, sewing machine and its inven-
tor, or improver, and the author of foolish
novels, that consume the time and brains
of thousands of our young girls and boys,
and let the assembled thrOng say which
has done for society the greater good.
Then put side by side again, the honest,
intelligent mechanic, whose skill and Ia
Dor shapes yonder powerful engine, that
carries us with tightening speed from place
to place, with the idle, fashionable young
man, whose ambition in life seems to be
to wear fine cloths and jewelry, and grace
the shady lounging places on our streets
through the day, land the saloon and dance
room by night, and let this people say
which one contributes most to the happi-
ness and prosperity of mankind.
1uf,fT <1f-fT fT*N17 - 4
Labor is capital contributed to society
for its permanent advancement. Every
able-bodied man, Of ordinary diligence,
contributes in the course of a year from
six to- ten hundred dollars worth of la
Dor to the community in which he lives.
The average number of years devoted to
labor may number, say twenty. Every
skilled laborer in this community is there
fore worth to it, in actual capital, from
| twenty to thirty Thousand dollars. He is
actually worth this, because all he pro-
duces is created, brought from nature
rough, in its crude state, and OF little val
! ne. Take q hundred such skilled laborers,
combine their labor, intelligence, energy,
and what a formidable combination it
makes. Take them from this community,
Add an additional hundred, or two hum
dred, and how much would it increase our
lproqucuve power and our wealth.. Take
Zone hundred as n hasia aud hse have from