Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-24
A Matter the Cotton Exposition Man
ayers ShOuId Have Attended To.

When the movement for the Atlanta
Cotton Exposition was first inaugurated,
it will be remembered that it was styled
a great international exhibition, and
its main object was declared to be ad-
vancing the material welfare of the
South. 1t would naturally have been
supposed that under these circumsta6 ces
the establishment of direct trade between
Europe and the Southern ports would
have been one of the first ends striven
to be accomplished by the management
OF that enterprise. Strange to say, how
ever, such has not been the case. The
Exposition has been held, and its days
are now being rapidly numbered. yet, so
far, we have heard not a word of any
efforts being made to bring about re-
-ult which is so fraught with interest to
the Southern people. and which must be
accomplished before the South can ever
be said to be truly prosperous and indie
pendent.
In this connection we have received a
letter from Mr.. Thomas p StOvall, of
Augusta, one of the prime movers
in this matter. We reproduce it in
full, and it will be found of great inter
est to all who have genuine Southern
welfare a. heart:
Editor Morning Meas: THANK Chat
ham, your Atlanta correspondent, for
he notice, in your issue of the 18Th of
November, of nv being the first to pro-
nose the Cotton Exposition This was
known in Atlanta in January, 1880, IS
Mr.. J A. Ansley wrote me he had shO Tn
nay letter on the subject to a number If
the most prominent citizens of Atlanta.
The papers which | have seen of the eXhi-
hilton give the idea that it was Overshad
owed by New England patronage. and
If Mr.. AtkinsOn's speech at the dinner
on the Augusta canal and Mr.. G. J.
Bankers statements is a sample of what
the South is to expect, my suggestions
made in connection with the Cotton Ex-
position would have been the move in
the right direction, tO-wit: To be the
means of placing the South more IN
direct connection with the markets of
the world through the Southern seGpOrts
and. firstly, to correct the uDfavOrable
opinion in Europe against the South,
which extends much further than the
Southern people are willing to believe.
hut it is barrier to foreign capital and
emigration gong there.
The Exposition furnished a favOra-
BILE opportunity to have induced
steamship to sail from one
of the sespOrts of England direct
10 Savannah with a number of repre-
sentative men of Europe. The Millers'
Exposition adopted this plan, and nearly
one hundred went over in the steamship
Bothnia. chartered for that trip especi-
ally, to New York for the Cincinnati
Exhibition. Representatives of the
press were along, and the result 10 my
own knowledge has been most favorable
70 the Northern section. throughout
which they were invited and entertained,
and some as far west as San Francisco.
Having the honor to be one of the repre-
Senia ives of the Cincinnati Exhibition
in Europe. | know most of the parties
in that excursion. 1t has already been
proven that the South advanced as the
people depended on their own efforts,
and Just so soon as it was shown
Southern enterprise brought success
capital moved in that direction Is it
cot a most favorable time to move for
more direct trade with Europe. and not
have it said the product of Southern
enterprise is too far from the markets Of
New York and Boston, thereby failing to
compe e with other sections that are
nearer to those seaports. The Western
manufacturers and merchants do not
fad it necessary to depend on those
places, but make shipments to any part
If the world on through bills of lading
And this increase in trade and success is
most encouraging.
The favorable impressions of the Cot
ton Exposition could be made available
by moving for foreign connections, and
| Savannah offers q most inviting route
for Southern shipments. and for Western
products as well, provided a regular line
| Of steamers sailed to an English port In
case such could be accomplished, it
might be inaugurated the coming au
/ umn, if moved in time TO secure pleas
ant party from Europe, with a cargo OF
! goods for Savannah. and return cargOes
OF mixed freight from the West, as well
AS cotton. Very truly,
"THOs p. STovALL."