The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-09-08
Shall Virginia be Represented
IN TIE
PHILADELPHIA INDUSTRIAL
EXHIBITION
ANO III so HOW
AND. IF SO, HOW?

EXHIBITION:
AND. If SO, HOW?
There has up 20 this time been good deal
of hesitation in the southern States as to
tlking part in The proposed centennial cele-
bru,ion at Philadelphia next year.
In the political aspect of the affair TINS Is
not to be wondered at, aud although much
has been done by the North duripg the last
fcw months tending 10 kindlicr feelings ana
Ctlrrn" the hope Of a real drawing together
of the uienatcd sections Of the country upon
a sound basis Of mutual re>pec:, confluence,
and goodwill, the time has hardly come
for much enthusiasm on our part. A frank
readiness 10 meet every honest overture from
those who claim to be willing to live with us
aS bret hren aud equals much becomes us, but
we cannot wish sclf-respcct allow ourselves
o be placed in the attitude OF criminals,
grateful for pardon.
Whatever need Of caution there may be
felt in reference to the political celebration
in Pniladelpbls, there can be no reason Tor
holding back from q part in the proposed
display Of the industrial resources OF the
country and their contrast with those OF
foreign nations. The olj:ct in view is in
self admirable and free OF Ill objection; an
Gnnt s; pride in the capabilities Of Virginia
and her people leads to the wlSn that they
be fairly represented in tnis peaceful tourni-
ment of the worlds workers and In the ar
duouS task laid upon this &c! Grafton OF be.
ginning TO rebuild the material prosperity
SCATTERED by civil war we clnnot afford 10
miss 50 important an occasion of showing 10
the world the solid foundations which we
have to build upon, and thus attracting to
our help the unemployed men and money
which elsewhere seek directions for protita'
bic !Xcrlion.
l., however, the State is to he represented,
there is no longer time for hesitation or in
diff :cnc:. The time is fast passing away in
whicn. under toe rules of the exhibition,
space en- he secured; and The experience of
the great European displays Of the same sort
proves that many months preparation can
alone secure the collection III proper shape
of the varied specimens required.
Bu; little more delay will lead simply to
the rr,llit Of every Vlrgini2n who may visit
Philadelphia next summer and there will
be teuS Of thousands who will do so feeling
keenly mortified a. the neglected and un
worthy attitude in which he will see his
State placed.
The Legislature has so far failed to take
any efficient action in regard to the matter !;
and if This has arisen from desire to avoid
all unnecessary expenditures while the State
debt remains in its present un>ltis!act DRY
condition, and the character Of the Common.
wealth for honesty is at stake, every good
citizen must fully, If reluctantly, concur.
Individual action can be relied on to but a
very moderate extent, in view Of the strait.
ened means of the people and the cost Of
sending articles forward for exhibition, Of
properly displaying them, and OF taking care
Of them during tue summer. Moreover, al
though it Is 10 be hoped that good many
private persons will exhibit. there canGot in
this way be secured a good general display
of the resources OF the State. Many COM
paratively trifllng articles are sure to be put
forward, while many Of the things the State
can with best reason boast OF are equally
sure to be omitted. Even if there were the
same interest in the matter throughout all
parts Of the State, the same ability aud will.
inguess to exhibit, there is not such general
knowledge OF the resources OF other States
and other Countries as is necessary to decide
what we can best venture TO bring into COM
petition with their display.
There seems TO be one course open BY
which credltable position might be secured
for Virginia next year. At several OF the
international eXpositionS in Europe the gov
ernments of certain countries. and particu.
| larly Of certain colonies. have made most sue.
cessfu. and striking exhibitions Of their re-
sources by collecting in each instance into q
single shipment, to be kept together and
shown together ia the building, all that was
considered OF most interest and value such
q collection being made up in great measure
of individual contributions, but selected by
the Government in proper perspective"
and forming unit-a single entry, to use
the common phrase attracting much more
notice by the strong, combined impression
made upon the eye than if the same articles,
coming directly from private hands, had been
classified and distributed in hu1dred diff
ferent quarters, ard thus lost in the bewilder-
ing multitude of objects claiming attention.
If the Governor OF Virginia could deem
it right TO apply for Space--say for 1900 or
1000 square feet OF floor.>utface in the ex.
hibition building-for baLdSome contribu.
ton of Virginia products sent By the State
as State, and OF course without in the
east standing in the way Of any individual
exhibitors who either have already an.
bounced their intention of sending articles
or may do so hereafter it can hardly be be.
lieved that an appeal by the Executive 10
the people of Virs inia for the material for
such display would fail Of response.
A committee, so limited in number as to
insure real action, including competent
knowledge Of the resources of the State and
Of the management of past tndustr expo
sltionS on the large scale, and free from all
suspicion of individual interests to te served,
might surely be framed out of the leading
men of Virginia, to serve without fee or re.
! ward, and should be authorized to speak
with the voice of the State in applying to
those who are know to.have control of the
best aScertained natural and industrial re-
sources which ougl. to be illustrated, ask
Ing from each the gilt or loan, if preferred
to the Commonweal. Of certain designated
specimens, the actual obtaining of which
would thus involve no public expense. and
no expense TO any single contributor lin.
GLIDING packing and delivery at railway
station) greater than would in all likelihood
DC most cheerfully borne, and in most cases
amply repaid By the opportunity of display
at Philadelphia. The specimens asked for
ought, however, to be most carefully Sc.
lecled-large in size, choice In kind, and
characteristic OF the peculiar resources we
can boast.
An appeal might then be hopefully made
TO the different transportation companies OF
the State (railroad and cana) 10 carry ar.i
cles thus contributed TO Richmond free OF