The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-02
Mr.. AtlSinson's Exhibition-Yhat VIII &c
Re and Where Held.

Nj. Edward Atkinson has returned
from the South pleased with the cor
diality of his reception and the en-
thusiasm which greeted his proposal
for a cotton exhibition He deliv-
cred and address to the business
men of Atlanta, setting forth elab-
orately the benefits to be derived
from such an exhibition by bringing
the planter and the manufacturer
into closer union Of interest; by Sc
securing the adoption of improved
machinery for cultivating and pre-
parin9 the fibre etc. He also pre-
sented some facts which will be read
with interest, showing that by grow
ing wool and cotton on common
field the planter may increase the
productiveness of his lands and
largely enhance his profits. This,
however, is theory doubted by
many and which has never been
practically demonstrated. During
the course of his remarks he read a
letter from Mr.. j. III. Moore, of Oak
ley, Arkansas. which throws some
light upon this subject. We print
the letter in another column by Mr..
Atkinson's courtesy. We present
an abstract of the address on page
Sc.
Mr.. Atkinson is HOW convinced
that in order to secure the best re-
suits, so far as the South is concern
ed, the exhibition should not only
cover cotton and all that pertains TO
its cultivation and manufacture, but
Il sol, lot
ter product he Investigated in the
Swiss colonies on the mountains of
North Carolina. He found the null
berry tree thriving there luxuriant-
ly, the conditions of climate ali IA
vorable. pnd plenty of sturdy pio-
neers ready TO embark in protita-
BILE business in cocoons. In COM
menting upon his observations IN
the South, he stated to the writer
that, contrary to his first view of the
subject, the exhibition should be de-
voted to all fibre-producing plants,
sheep, the Angora goat, etc. lie
said there is room in the South for
their production on a large scale,
and the scope of the exhibition
should be so broad as to instruct the
planter in all proper methods Of Gull
tivating and preparing the ibres.
So it would seem that Mr.. Akin
sons exhibition will not be dis
tinctively of cotton after all. but
of the principal textile fibres. While
we are impressed with the superior
wisdom of the first idea, we do not
say that great good may not result
from the last proposition, but there
Is danger of attempting more than
can be nicely handled-of ,deyOting
too much attention to theories and
neglecting suggestions of practical
import. We really hope Mr.. Akin
son will go back to his first idea and
let experiments with analogous
fibres be shown apart from the ex-
hibition. Yet he is something more
than theorist, and is possibly cor
rect in widening his plan so as to en-
courage and promote diversified in
dustry in the cotton states. fnoih-
ing further should come of it than
what has already gone through the
public prints, he deserves universal
credit for arousing the people OF the
South to keen sense of the import
ance of developing their material
resources, of establishing their own
factories, and of securing home mar
keis for their products.
While Atlanta seems TO be pre-
ferred by many a. the best location
for the exhibition, Louisville comes
forward with her mr. re central posi-
ton, better accommodations, greater
railroad facilities. etc, and seems
willing TO raise all the money nee
essary to put the project through.
Doubtless one or tie other OF these
places viii be IeTfiie Rec