Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-10-07
70 THE PEOPLE or VIRGINIA.


The time is approaching when, if at
all, something must be done toward
our appearance at the Centennial Exhl-
bition. The period at first fixed for
thA assignment Of space has elapsed;
but within the last day or two l have
seen those IN authority, having such
matters in charge. and they have
agreed to keep open a space for Vlr-
GINA till action can be had, either by
the State or the combined efforts OF in
dividuals.
Nothing can be done, Of course, by
the State, till the Legislature assemblies.
1t will then be for that body. to deter
mine whether an appropriation shall be
made to detray the moderate expenses
that will attend an exhibition OF our
products.
The great lines of railroads in the
Union, | am informed, have consented
''to transport al regular rates all articles,
intended for exhibition at the lnterna>
tional Exhibition of 1876, at Phila-
delphia, as well as all other articles.
! Forwarded by exhibitors for their own
use, in connection with the Exhibition
and will return unsoid articles free.
Freight and all charges to be prepaid
in every case" [ doubt not that all
the roads in this State will accede to
these terms.
individuals having articles to exhibit
could at once put them in condition,
and should the State make an appros
priation, could either send them direct
to Philadelphia, or to such common
point in the State as may be agreed
upon, to be forwarded in bulk. 1t the
State shoald not make an approprla-
ton, each individual would have to
bear the expenses of his own transport
tation.
Space in the Exhibition Building
will be free. Some suitable person
ought to be employed who would give
the articles attention, and show them
to advantage. Such services could be
, obtained for small amount.
The following is the classifi cation
adopted, under which articles will be
| exhibited but our State may receive
special sanction for collective exhibit
ton, which will probably be better for
our interests:
I. Raw Materials-lnlneral, vegeta.
Bile and animal.
| II. Materials and Manufactures used
| for Food, or i'll the Arts, the result
of extractive or combining processes.
III. Textile and Felted Fabrics APP
parel, costumes, and ornaments for the
person.
". Furniture and Manufactures of
general use in construction and in
dwellings,.
Y. Tools, Implements, Machines
and Proct sses-
VI. Motors and Transportation.
VII. Apparatus and Methods for
the increase and diffusion Of knowledge.
VIII. Engineering, Public Works,
Architecture, etc. ..-
| TX. Plastic and Graphic Arts.
\. Objects illustrating efforts for
the improvement of the Physical, In
telI4ctual, and Moral Condition Of
M:.n.
I shall indulge in no sentiment with
regard to this Centennial Exhibition.
leave that to be dictated by the judg-
ment and taste Of those who may read
this paper. l am looking at it as a
practical affair, bearing upon the pres
ent and future Of our State.
| When it was first projected, several
years ago, the time was not ripe, and
prejudice and ill-feeling prevailed be-
tween the sections to a greater extent
than now. The desolations OF the war
were around and nearer US, and the
memory Of them still ranked.
In the progress Of events, we hope a
change is taking place Tokens Of re-
Cancellation are coming to US from var
ious sources, and now we are offered a
position from which we can not only
meet this tender, but show to the world
why Virginia should once more be- &C
corded her proper rank in the van OF
States.
It does not become our brave and
earnest people to brood over the past,
and forget that Virginia has future
We do not forget it. In all sorts of
ways we have endeavored to repair the
wrecks of the war, and restore our
waste places-by advertisements, by
land agencies, by immigration societies,
and otherwise Our own unaided en-
ergies cannot accomplish Immediately
so great a work. Our resources are
boundless no equal area of country on
the continent contains greater OF more
varied. We want men and money,
| labor and capital, to develop them. 1t
seems to me that we now have an
opportunity Of advertising them to the
,ohole s0orl1, without charge, a means
far surprising all other, and such as
may never occur to us again.
Let US hope that both our Governs
ment and people will take advantage
of this opportunity. Virginia in the
past has ever been in the front there
is no reason why she should not now
be among the foremost in all that con
stitutes the true power and greatness Of
State 7
Very respectfully,
| FRED. w. NJ. HoLmpAY,
Centennial Commissioner for Virginia
Winchester, Va, Sept. Is, 1875.