Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-08
The Worlds Cotton Centennial tx.
position.


November Nstnsber Pointers journal
Among the resolutions a1oDted at the
Little Rock Convention of the National
Cotton Planters Association. was ene fo
hold IN 1884 a grand exposition under
the auspices OF that body. 1t is to be
called the Worlds Cotton Centennial
Exposition. and win be to the whole
country the event of the decade. and,
so far as cotton interests are con-
cerned. the event of the centu-
ry. Never before in the history of
the South was movement more enthu-
siastically inaugurated. The idea
was hailed with universal appreciation at
its announcement, and not doubter Of
the feasibility of this colossal enterprise
has been found among the Numerous
planters and manufacturers with whom
we have since discussed it. Even at this
early day number of manufacturers
have signif1ed their eagerness to be
among its exhibitors, and letters of in
quiry concerning it have already b en-
received. Although cotton will form the
chief exhibit, yet it is proposed to make
its scope universal, so as to include
not only everything appertaning
to cotton culture and manufacture,
but whatever improved imple-
ments may be necessary for the most
approved methods of diversified farming
lin fact, all inventions, devices and
fabrics that may possibly prove of inter
est to the people of the South or pro-
mote their general industries.
The resolution of the convention au-
thorizing this mammoth exposition pro-
vides that it shall be held at such city as
may offer the greatest inducement, and
it is a privilege well worth contending
for. Nearly all the leading cities have
had successful expOsitions, supported
onty by local or quasi local interests and
patronage, and have found it profitable
to invest large sums in such enter
prises; but this proposed Worlds Cot
ton Centennial Exposition will command
the direct and united support of
the entire cotton producing territory Of
America. In view of the vast extent of
this territory and the commercial import
ance of its leading staple, it is self evil
dent proposition that any city could
afford to expend ten-fold more in order
to secure such an exposition than upon
any mere local affair. So far as exhibits
are concerned. it cannot fail to attract
them from the whole Union, aye from
the four quarters of the globe The
fact that it is to be Centennial Exposi-
ton will likewise give it great and world.
wide prominence. 1t may interest
the public to know that in the year 1884
eight bales of cotton were exported
from this country to England, where,
upon arrival. it was condemned as con-
traband. and seized by order of the
Privy Council, who held that so large
an amount of cotton could not possibly
have been raised in America THUS the
year 1884 will be both an agricultural
and commercial centennial in the history
of cotton. What contrast between the
opening and closing year of this cotton
century, No enterprise could be too
stupendous to do justice to the celebra-
tion of such centennial
The whole South will be organized for
the purpose of contributing to its gran
deur-indeed all the cotton producing
countries in the world will doubtless
participate in swelling its attractions.
If we are fortunate in its location and
can secure men of sufficient breadth of
view to compass so gigantic an under
taking, it will prove but little, if any,
less magnificent than the National Cen
tennial Exposition of 1876. So far as
its location is concerned, we are inclined
to the belief that New Orleans is the
most eligible site, but the claims of all
competing cities will be carefully and
impartially considered. Correspondence
in this direction will be Immediately in
stituted, and month given to the various
cities in which to make known what in
6ucements they may have to offer The
Executive Committee has not yet taken
action on this point, but among the cities
that will probably be invited to compete
are New Orleans, ST. Louis, Baltimore,
Cincinnati, Louisville. Richmond, Mem
phis, Nashville, Charleston, Mobile, Sa.
vannah, Montgomery and Atlanta.
1t is proposed to raise not less than
two and possibly over three millions of
dollars, and there are several cities whose
offer should not be less than five hundred
thousand dollars Of this amount.
We may appropriately close this, the
initial article upon the Worlds Cotton
Centennial Exposition. by promising the
city that may be so fortunate as to secure
it the united support of the entire
planting interest. We feel that we are
rot transcending the bounds of prudence
in predicting that it will at the same
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