The Russellville Democrat., 1875-04-01
AMERICAS CENTENNIAL.
Appeal of the Commissioner to
 inc People of the State.

rlansians, the recent gover- nor of our state has nominated and the president has appointed me commissioner to represent Ar. kansas at "America's centennial.
 Tn accepting this important trust it will be my pride and ambition to perform all the respective du- ties of my official position for the best interests of the state.
 My mission, to make It a suc- cess. requires your generous co. operation--individual and united forces fine life of a state is manifested by the energy of the people. It is not alone developed bv individual force but we must have combined action. The mix ed industries of all classes of so- ,ciety-producers and consumers -ail acting in harmony, with a determined agency-give hte, health and vigor to all communl- ties and to all states. It IS through the blended compensating force, acting and developing, so favor ably in an atmosphere of peace. that the pursuits of toll make all powers and nations prosperous, powerful and great.
 Arkausas is now sovereign and free and can enjoy political rest. and security in state affairs. You have a state government of your choice-you have confidence ill the executive, andif you are pre- pared for progress, with determ- incd energy and earnest labor, in just obedience to the constitution and laws-our heretofore unfortu- nate state must rapidly advance. With this new life--under good government, the state vill' active ly recuperate, soon grow great in population and wealth.
 Progress must be the impulse and the watcdword with every in- habitant, "and soon Arkansas, under free, intelligent, pyogres- sive rule, will rise from the ashes where she grovels in the embers of a dying political fire, to be'one of the foremost states in the un- ion" Under such bright aaspi- ces, when the star of hope gilds the aurora of the day of promise, all lovers of the country should be aroused and valiantly strive to contribute to the prosperity cf our people, the welfare of the of the state and the pride of the republacan.
 Arkansas has slumbered al ready too long! With sad dreams she has slept the "Rlp Van Win kle sleep" and now is the time, the the propitious time to awaken, truly realize her duty and be ready to promote her best in- terest at tue coniug day-"Amer- ica's Grand Exposition"
 However primative we may ap- pear, Arkansas must be 7presen- ted at the international exhibition in 1876. We must be there. Such relations with the external world will at once advance tic state. It will afford us an oppor- tunity to be more favorably intro duced to the investing, immigrat- ing and migrating public-to be placed legitimately in position where the wealth of the state will, Tn part, be revealed to the powers of the earth. Unfold to view the clements of posperity, our long hidden treasures. long buried me talic and non metallic minerals, and soon we will find immigration pouring into Misunderstanding to us like tidal wave in force, or in power, covering the surface of our whole state. If we cannot show the diversiiication of indus tries or favorably compete with other states in fabric of the loom, material made from our own great staple productions, in the works of art, mechanism and manufac- lures, we can otherwise give ev- idences of boundless riches be- longing to the state and from the exhibition hope soon to realize brighter, better days. With your aid, your ardor and voluntary ex- crtion, we can exhibit evidences of the soil-products that are found above and below the surface and make known, in the alphabet of nature, portion of our great and varied resources. You must not be impressed with the fancy that the people are not prepared for exhibition, or too much impov- erished. We will accept no such excuses for your apathy.
 Your commissioner is .determ- ined to prepare, rnd you may rely upon it that the state shall not be denied aplace at America's cen tennial. If we cannot afford to. make grand display, we are re- solved to do the best that circum- stances win permit, "We can give sermons in stones" that must ineligible and eloquently speak for us a language fully m I l----. L --l s- L u