Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-30
To the People Of Virginia.

Inc time IS approaching when, if at all, some.
thing must be. done toward our appearance at
the centennial Exhibition. The period at first
fixed for the 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 q SPACE for
Virginia till action csn be had, either by the
State or the com bined efforts of individuals.
Nothing can be done, of course, by the Safe,
till the Legis lature assemblies 1t will then be
tor that body to determine whether an appro-
priation shall be made to defray the moderate
expenses that will attend an exhibition of our
products.
The great lines Of railroads in the Union, I
am informed, have consented Ito transport at
regular rates all articles intended for exhibition
at the international Exhibition of 1876, at Phil
delphia, as well as all other articlea forwarded
by exhibitors for their own use, in connection
with the Exhibition, and will return uusold ar
ticles free. Freight and all charges to be pre-
pald 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 appropriation, could either send
them direct to Philadelphia, or to such common
point II the State as may DO agreed upon, to be
forwarded in bulk. If the State should not
make an appropriation, each individual would
have to bear the expenses of his own transpor-
tation.
Space in the Exhibition Building will be free.
Some suitable person ought to be EMPLOYED who
would give the articles attention, and show hem
to advantage. Such services could be obtained
for small amount,
The following is the classification adopted
under which articles will be exhibited; but our
State NAV receive special sanction for colec-
tive exhl oition, which will probably be better
for our interests:
l. Raw Materials-mineral, vegetable and
animal.
II: Materials and Manufactures used for
Food, or IN the Arts, the result Of extractve or
com bining processes.
Z, Ill Textile and felteI Fabrics apparel, cos
tunes and ornaments for the person. =.
~. Furniture and Manufactures of general
use IN construction and in dwellings,
V. Tools, Implements, Machines and Pro-
VI. Motors and TRANSPORTATION.
vi Apparatus and Methods for the increase
and diffusion of knowledge
VIII. Engineering, Public Works. Architec.
ture, etc. -
l. X. Plastic and Graphic Arts.
4. Objects illustrating efforts for the improve
ment OF the Physical, Intellectual and Moral
Condition of Man
shall indulge in no sentiment with regard to
tnls Centennial Exhibition. leave that to be
dictated by the judgment and taste of those who
may read this paper I am looking at it as q
practical affair, bearing upon the present and
When it was first projected, several years ago,
the time was not ripe, and prejudice and i'll.
feeling prevailed between the sections to great
ery extent than now. The desoations OF the war
were around and nearer US, and the memory of
them still ranked. ' ''.
In the progress Of events, we hope q change is
taking place., Tokens of reconciliation are com
ing to,us from various sources, and now we are
offered position from Which-we can not only
meet this tender, but show to the world WHY
virginia should once more be accorded her
proper. rank In the Van Of States. q. r..
1t does not become our brave and earnest peo.
pie to brood oyer the past, and forget that Vir-
glnia has a future. We do not forget it. In all
sorts of ways we have endeavored to repair the
WRECKS OF the WAT, and restore our waste places
by advertisements, by land agencies; By i'm.
migration: societies, and otherwise Our own
unalded energies cannot accomplish Immediate
~ so great q work. Our resources are bound
less; no equal area of country on the continent
contains greater or more varied. We want men
and money, labor and capital, to develop them
1t seems to me that we now have an opportuni-
ty OF advertising them to the aDhJie 1cord, with
out charge, a means far SURPRISING all other,
and, such as may never occur to US again.
Let Us hope that both our Government and
people will take advantage of this opportunity
Virgins in the past has ever been in the front
there Is no reason why she should not now bs
among the foremost IN all that constitutes the
true power and greatness of State. " .
Very respectfully,
FRED. w. Nj. HOLIDAY,
w. ; Centennial Comni'r for Va.
Winchester, Va, Sept. 81, 1876