The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-27
THE EXPOSITION.
Speech Of Gov. Hendricks.
The Display and The Crowd
Present.

Yesterday dawned as auspiciously as could be
wished by the most ardent member of the South
ern States Agricultural and Industrial Associa-
ton. Light feecy clouds drifted across the blue
dome like astray galleons on an unknown sea,
and balmy south wind added its luxurious
touch to the beauties Of the day. Car after car
laden with its freight of fair ones rolled out
toward the Fair Grounds, and general curiosity
was whetted to such degree that the lazy mules
seemed to hardly perform their task with that
energy commensurate with the visitors anxiety.
North, East and West were represented in the
throng that took up their line of march to the
Exposition, and fresh faces, blooming with the
iavigorating airs of other chimes, augmented in
no small degree the pleasures of the trip.
The attendance yesterday was not near as large
as was expected, and the hardness of exhibitors
in arranging their goods was remarked by many.
Promptly at o'clock q carriage was driven up,
and Gov. Hendricks opened his address, being
repeatedly interrupted by prolonged applause.
The Governor was introduced by Hon. I. n.
Marks.
Mr.. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen
II is with great satisfaction that I find myself
among you to-day. understand that the exhi-
btion which We have assembled to inaugurate,
in the magnitude Of its proportions, in the variety
OF it's attractions. and in the far reaching scope
OF it's usefulness, is superior to any which has
ever yet been held in this region Of our country.
I sympathize with the deep interest you have in
its success. l do not think you over estimate
its great Importance. Here, from workshop,
of your industry, and trophies of your skill.
Here you have both the token and the pledge OF
a returning prosperity and here also you have
invaluable opportunities of studying the means
and modes by which your labor may be best
applied in the development of your immense
adequate expression ct my high appre-
citation of the honor done mo in the
invitation TO address you upon 80 suspicious an
occasion. l esteem it no small privilege to be
of producers-the tilers of the soil, who feed the
world and furnish the material fol. its clothing,
and the skilled mechanics, who make scientific
agriculture possible. and by whose labors sll the
manifold material appliances Of civilization are
produced.
1t think it a happy and most hop aful sign, and
one for which your Board of Management de-
serves your thanks, that in this Exposition agri-
culture and the mechanic arts have been SO har-
monously brought together. Why it should
is certainly fact that there has always in the
history of mankind appeared to be tendency to
an unnatural jealousy, If not antagonism, be-
tween the agricultural and the other indus
trial classes Sometimes, as well in an.
Gent as in modern times, this tendency
has shown itself in the formation and
sentiment Of political parties, but it has shown
itself more frequently, perhaps more powerfully,
in social alterations and invidiOus class distinc-
tons. Such antagonism, let me repeat, is most
unnatural and hurtfel. Agriculture AM the me-
chanical Industries are equally necessary in lay
log the foundations of enduring prosperity
in every nation under heaven and neither can
advance to excellence without the ether. The
wooden pillow which scratch the soil Of ancient
Greece. Egypt and Syria marked both the rude
neas Of the agriculture and the low state of the
artisan. Z he polished and beautiful pillow OF our
own day. which sits steadily in the furrow, almost
without support, shows at once the present pro-
gress OF agriculture and the wonderful advance
ment of mechanical invention. The steamboat
and the railroad train are triumphs Of the art of
the mechanic, but they are also evidences Of an
agricultural productiveness which demands the
aid of the mechanic in the Transports ton of the
teeming riches Of the SOIL Increased facilities OF
transportation, on the other hand, stimulate the
farmer to increased production, and he on his
part calls inventive genius once more into requi-
sitiop, to devise and construct new implements
by which mems labor may be saved, and their
necessities more easily and abundantly sup
Piled.
In the history of civilization there ia perhaps
no more striking Illustration of the mutual infu-
ence of agriculture and mechanical invention and
industry than that of Whitney's cotton gin. One
of your early judicial writer's thus describes the
immediate consequences OF its introduction:
.The whole interior of the Southern States"
he says, twas languishing, and Its inha bitants
emigrating Tor want OF some object to engage
their attention and employ their industry, when
the invention Of this machine at once opened
views to them which set the whole country in
active motion. From childhood to age it has
presented to US a lucrative employment. Indi-
viduals who were depressed with poverty and
sunk in idleness, have suddenly risen to wealth
and respectability. Our debts have been paid
off, our capitals have increased, and our lands
trebled themselves in value. We can not express
the weight Of the obligation which the country
owes to this invention"
to this great agricultural region Of our country
by the aid of the mechanical inventor, Whitney.
It is not tou much to say that they were instantly
and lavishly repaid in blessings to the manufac-
turer and artisan, both in this country and
abroad. To-day many millions Of men, women
and children are supported, and thousands Of
millions OF money are proftsbly employed in the
manufacture and distribution Of
the cotton crop which you produce yet that is
not all. Abundant cotton means cheap clothing,
and an increase of Ihysical comfort to the labor
ing classes everywhere. This, again, means
better health and better health means happier
aud longer life. Thus, by the NATURE co-opera-
ton of the agricultural and the mechanical in
Qu5trles In THIS instance, not only nave new means
of existence been afforded and new means of in.
creased wealth been offered to millions upon
millions of our fellow men, but health and hap
piness promoted, and the little span OF human
life b IS been appreciably prolonged.
For these reasons and for others that can not
now and here express, l greatly rejoice that in
this Exposition the interdependence and commu-
nifty of interest which exists between the skilled
labor Of the agrcuturalist and the skilled labor Of
the mechanic have been so wisely recognized and
so happily illustrated. believe that there is no
great Improvement possible to the one which will
not directly or indirectly tend to the advantage
OF the other, and l believe no less that any
serious damage to either will always and inevita-
bly, result in injury to the stner.
/ have spoken Of this point with some empha-
sis, because the tendency OF your section is very
naturally to the exclusive production OF few
great staples which can no where else be cul-
figated with the same advantages OF climate and
facilities of transportation.
can not think that your entire devotion to the
production of these staples, while you totally neg
iect other branches OF industry for the pursuit
of which nature has endowed you with equally