Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-20
OFFICE NATIONAL COTTON PLANTERS
AssOCIATTOlT or AMERICA

OFFICE NATIONAL COTTON PLANTERS
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, :
VICKsBURG, MISS, November 16, 1882.
To the Mayor and city Council Cotton En-
change, the Board Of Trade and Other Com
nsercial Bodies and Citizens of Savannah,
Ga:
GENTLEMEN-As you have perhaps been
unoff1cially apprised, it was resolved by the
National Cotton Planters Association, in
convention assembled at the city of Little
Rock, October 1921, to hold In 1884, under
its auspices and direction, grand exposi-
ton open to all the world and universal IN
its scope, at such Southern city as should
offer the greatest inducement for its loca-
ton.
Pursuant to this resolution now officially
invite Savannah, as l have invited other
prominent cities, to compete for the privi-
lege Of being selected as the site of the pro-
posed Exposition.
1t was resolved that It should be called
''The Worlds Cotton Centennial EXPOSE
ton" because the year 1884 will be centen-
NAL anniversary Of momentous events in the
agricultural and commercial history OF cot
ton, and likewise OF our first Enjoyment,
after the Revolutionary war, OF perfect
peace.
It was in the year 1854 that the availa-
bilitV Of American cotton for spinning and
other manufacturing purposes was first
demonstrated in England "a discovery
which, in connection with the coming into
general use about the same time OF the in
| ventions of Arkwright, Hargreaves and
Compton, caused such demand for our
American cotton that its cultivation for ex-
port was then commenced and so profit.
able did the industry prove that only few
years were necessary to make the cotton
States Of the Union the great cotton field OF
the world.
The year 1884 will not only thus be a cen
tennisl in the history OF cotton, but also, as
has been stated, centennial In our national
| history, and one perhaps even more worthy
Of celebration than was the year 1876, which
was the centennial anniversary OF but a
| theoretical and yet 70 be fought for indie
pendence; while 1884 will be the centennial
| of a won and realized independence.
| Il will also be remembered that the year
| 1884 was the first after the disbandment of
the revolutionary army-the year in which
'swords were turned into ploughshares and
| spears into pruning hooks 1t was the first
year whose dawning found our young Re
public occupying her proper place in the
| sisterhood of nations, with her tndepend-
ence recognized by friend aud foe alike.
This 'S4 Exposition being thus centen>
| rial of our national peace and practical
| independence, is as deserving OF government
| aid as was the Centennial Exhibition OF '76,
| for the victories of that peace have proven
no less glorious and fraught with blessings
to the whole country than were the victo-
| ries Of the war which preceded It. 1t will
therefore be no more than right for Con-
gress to give to this enterprise the same
| character Of aid granted to the Centennial
Exposition of rs.
Not less than two millions of dollars will
| be necessary for concentrating the plans
now contemplated. The greater part OF
this sum will be subscribed-and we trust
| with readlness-bY the States, counties and
people Of the South; by American and for
eign handlers .and manufacturers Of both
cotton and implements and machinery ap-
| pertaining to cotton or used In diversified
| farming. While the city securing the Ex-
position will be expected to head the list
with a subscription equivalent to at least
one-fourth of the amount to be raised.
Inasmuch as this Exposition will be the
first great industrial enterprise of purely
Southern origin-shd appealing for support
directly to our Southern people, the ad-
vancement OF whose prosperity is its chief
| obiect-ever undertaken by a Southern
management on Southern soil, it will natu-
rally enlist the united and cordial co-opera-
ton Of all classes Of our people, but espe-
cially the planters, who will be prompted to
| FuppOIJ ~ ny lcCiIuS5 allhO VI pl4uC1 patItOI-
| ism and interest.
These considerations, and the further fact
that the Exposition is to be held under the
auspices Of an association representing the
wealth, industry and progress Of all the cot
| ton States, justify the conclusion that it will
only need an advantageous location and ju-
| dicious management to attract an unprece-
| denied Southern attendance, and to prove
| financially and In many other respects the
| mos successful ever held in America.
Whatever proposal your city may see fit
| to make with a view to securing 1t should
| be made known to me at the earliest prac-
| ticable date, and the same will be duly laid
| before the Executive Committee OF the
| Association, who will decide the question
on January LIST, 1888. Respectfully,
| F &. MOREHEAD,
| President National Cotton Planters Asso-
citation OF America.
w. w. ALLEN, Ac'ing Secretary.