Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-22
NEW ORLEANS AND THE COTTON
EXPOGITION-

EXPOSITION
We are glad to see some Of the principal
Southern journals are discussing the intend
ed cotton exposition of 1884 with interest
and spirit. The propriety of holding such
an exposition is universally admitted, and it
is agreed that owing to what was learned at
the Atlanta Exposition as to what features
can be made most instructive and attractive,
what weak points strengthened, and what de-
ficiencies supplied, the coming exposition
can well present degree Of excellence i'm
possible to attain on a first attempt, de-
servedly successful as that attempt was.
This being admitted, the next point is
where shall the exposition be held? AZ far
as the National Cotton Planters Association,
in the hands of which lie the preliminary
measures, are concerned, it is very properly
decided that it shall be held where the
strongest inducements are offered. This
throws the selection open to the COMPETE
ton of such cities as would wish TO
strive for the honor and advantages that will
reward the city whose enterprise, energy and
public spirit shall induce it to contribute
more toward the success OF the occasion than
any other. New Orleans, Vicksburg. Mem
phis, Richmond, Baltimore, Louisville, ST.
Louis, Atlanta, and even Cincinnati have
been mentioned, with some other places.
The prevalent opinion of the press and of
the "cotton people" generally is that the
most fitting place is New Orleans. About
the suitability of New Orleans as the spot
there can hardly be two opinions, and as
New Orleans is desirous of regaining the
superemipence as the great and principal
cotton market of The United States, such rs
she once possessed, here is an opportunity to
show her title TO that position, such as she
will probably never have again. Accessible
by river, by railroad and by sea; a city all
who have not visited her wish to gee,
and all who have would rejoice
at the opportunity to revisit; a city
whose semi-tropical features, connection with
historic memories, nearness to islands and
harbors on the Gulf OF Mexico, and to that
wonder OF engineering skill, the jetties at The
mouth of the Mississippi, and its retention
of old French manners and customs, all
would conspire to bring visitors in crowds
from every part of the Union. With all its
great attractions, has New Orleans the
shrewdness TO appreciate the unparalleled
advantages she possesses as an aspirant for
selection for the great cotton exposition OF
1884? Have her merchants, her store and ho-
telkeepers, her citizens of every degree, the
business sense TO seize the grand prize that is
within their grasp? In short, does New Or
leans, possessing 80 much, and having go
much TO gain by having the great cotton ex-
position of 1884 held within her boundaries
has she public spiritf Can her people rise
to the hight of the occasion, seize the
grand opportunity, assert the great claims
of The Crescent City, and carry off the
coveted prize? or are her citizens inert, Ian
guild, apathetic, unable to grasp what is
easily within their reach, or TO understand
the value of what little effort, dash, deter
mination and persistence will make their
own? New Orleans is great city, her i'm
portance every year becomes more obvious,
her coming commerce with Mexico aad the
South American States, the advantages that
will result to her from the completion
of canal across the isthmus, all give presci-
ence of what the city at the mouth OF the
Mississippi will be. Have her ci,izsns so
realizing a sense of The eminence their city
enjoys as to seize the grand prize that is
hers if che but wills it? That we shall see
If she is so wanting in faith and pride in
herself as to fail in what is her plain duty
10 the dignity she has right TO assert, and
10 the superiority she has the power to main
tain, then Memphis fairly and incontestibly
stands next on the list as the most eligible
spot in which 10 hold the great cotton
exposition of 1884. We need not
now urge what can be said on her
behalf, for we believe none would dispute
that she is fully entitled to the precedence
after New Orleans, Baltimore and Louisville
are strongly urging claims for the coveted
honor, cities around which no cotton plants
puts out it's bloom, to whose streets the
snowy fibre is unknown except as an exotic.
Can the great cotton centers stand Hstless
and unmoved when such cities outside the
cotton belt, and even st. Louis and Cincin-
natl that lie beyond the Southern line, would
be proud and gratifed TO take what BY all
fitness and right should fall TO them? The
project is fully before the great marts where
cotton is bought and sold, the vast field of
instruction opened by he exposition is re-
luired by the cotton planter and dealer, will
hey take what offers, or allow it 10 go where
cotton will BE- regarded as subordinate and
tobacco, or pork, or wheat will be locked
upon as the transcendent interest?