Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-05
Spiral autifes.
To the People of Southern Georgia.

OFFICE GENERAL MANAGER s., F. & w RY Co.
SAVANNAH, September 5th, 1881 I
The Atlanta Exposition will afford an oppor-
tunity for displaying the products and re-
sources of the State that will not soon be re-
peated.
The Legislature having made no appropria-
ton or the purpose. this golden opportunity
will be lost unless it be secured by individual
enterprise. In other parts of the State this is
well understood, and the people are stirring
themselves to have their respective sections
properly represented, but so far nothing of inn
portance seems to have been done in Southern
Georgia. Is this to be SOL Are the visitors at
Atlanta from other States and from foreign
countries to be attracted by the exhibits from
Northeastern Georgia, from Cherokee Georgia,
from Middle Georgia, and to 90 away not
knowing that South Georgia exists? The
finest country in the world is but desert with
out population. Through immigration comes
increased wealth and prosperity and where
are we to find a better class to recruit our
population from than among the educated and
well-to- do people that will visit the Exposition
Let us make display then that will attract
them, that will lead them to ask for informa-
ton about the section from which it has been
brought, that will create in them desire to
visit that section, and it will be the part of our
railroad company to furnish them with cheap
tickets for that purpose. But lce cannot make
the display 1t is for you to do that. You have
made South Georgia what it is The railroad
only helped you to do it. You must make the
exhibit at Atlanta. The railroad will help Won
in this as well. 1t will undertake to trans
port whatever you havv to show, will display
t to the best advantage, and return it after the
exhibition. If you are impressed with the
value of these suggestions will you not hold
meetings at an early day in each county, or
ganiZe committees and select members for q
general executive committee, with whom we
can cooperate? The gentlemen Of the press
along our line have promptly responded to our
appeal They have undertaken to place tire
matter before you and TO impress you with its
Importance. It is in the power of each one of
you to aid the press and the railroad COM
pany in this work of common benefit to us all.
Talk 1t up among your neighbors, induce
explain to them the value to themselves of
attracting visitors TO see the country by max
ing a fine display at the Exposition. Many Of
you win visit Atlanta. You too will be attract
ed by the many beautiful and interesting OBJ
iects on exhibition there. You will perhaps
learn much about your own State that you
when you pass by the exhibit from South
Georgia, and hear 1t spoken Of with admiration
by people from the North and from Europeg
viii you not feel proud of your section when
you hear them ask for more information and
express a desire to visit q country that can
make such display
Let us not look at the other side Of the pic
ture. I,et us not ask what your feelings will
be il the exhibit should be so inferior as to at
tract no attention, to be passed by with indif-
ference or with contempt.
II this should be the result neither the press
nor the railroad company win be to blame.
They both stand ready to assist you IL you will
but assist yourselves. With you rests at last
the duty of showing the rest of the world who
you are and what kind Of a counery you live in.
The products of your fields, of your Or
chardS, of your pastures, of your forests, of
your manufactures.
Let not the ladies be ashamed to exhibit
their own handiwork. In times past our county
exhibits at the Townsville fairs have been
indebted to them for much Of their interest,
and nothing will more impress the visitors to
the Atlanta Exposition than these evidences
that the virtues of the housewife, so highly
priced in all ages and in all countries. are still
cherished and exercised in Southern Georgia.
Care will be taken that due credit is given to
each exhibitor and to each locality. We are all
int rested in having this done so thoroughly as
to impress upon the minds of visitors from
whom and whence any article came that may
have attracted their attention. Any sug-
eestions that may tend to increase the beauty
or interest of the exhibit will be gladly re-
ceiVed.
You must remember that the exposition will
open on the 9Th of October and that we have
no time to lose A better opportunity we shall
not soon have again, and 1t could not have
come at a more suspicious season. new era
is about TO open for Southern Georgia.
We have sound reasons for believing that its
advantages will be no longer hidden In a
corner, but that they will be set forth promi-
nently upon a through line of railroad
national highway-where they will be dis
played to the traveller passing by on the train
to the same advantage that your exhibits will
be displayed at the Atlanta Exposition.
H. s. HAINES.
General Manager