Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-09-13
The Southern ExpoSion.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. IA recep-
ton was given at the Southern ex-
position to day to editorial excursion
lists from Wisconsin, Michigan, Hi
nois, indiana, Alabama and Missis-
sippi. and was one of the most i'm
portant events occurring in Louisville
since the war. The party included
about 500 persons and the mingling of
citizens OF the North and South was
productive of the finest feeling of
fraternity. An address of welcome
was delivered by Hon. Henry Wat
terson, who was invited to perform
the pleasant duties in the absence of
Mayor Jacobs. After gracefully al
luding to the duty assigned him, Mr.
WattersOn said: "Thc occasion which
brings us together is hardly less sug-
gestive than delightful, and may be
described without disparagement as
both national and sectional. For
whilst the primal object of our exhibit
was an illustration of the products
and progress of the south. the invita-
tatiOn which went forth was address
ed to all the people of the union.
1t has met everywhere the re-
Spouse which you have given it,
In the East and in the West, and in
the fer North, wherever we have gone
in quest Of recognition and sympathy
the ready right hand Of American
manhood has been stretched out to us.
There is in this deep and touching
significance. 1t tells us that the
genius Of work mas put
its foot upon the genius of
war. 1T means that underneath our
political fabric there is a popular
character, strong enough and pure
enough to rise above all sections and
all parties, giving the world assurance
of the homogenity of the people and
the perpetuity of the national life. |
am sure there Is no one of you. wha
ever his party belongings and whence
soever he may have come, whose
heart does not thrill with
a glad emotion in the presence
Of this spectacle 1t is the hostage
which the south offers the north 1t
is the treaty of a lasting peace, not
writ in subterfuge by the crafty hand
of diplomacy, but forced by the in
exorable law of necessity and CON
science and duty out of the brain
and heart and blood of the home
loving people of the south"
The speech was received with
frequent applause, and especially
with the hearty commentator
of those visitors who came out of the
north to learn what manner of men
and women were to be found in this
southern land.
To the hearty welcome of Mr. Wat
terson, M. 2. Jones, of the Chicago
Inter Ocean, responded most graceful
ly, his remarks being IN earnest accord
with the sentiments just before eX-
pressed At the conclusion of Judge
Jones remarks the party was in
vited into the Central Park adjoining
the exposition, where an elegant
lunch was served and for several
sentiment was emphasized by the
glow of good feeling, produced by the
generous expression of fellowship. |
between all sections of the union, |
Just exemplifed in the speeches of |
reception and acknowledgement The |
toasts offered and responded to by |
men from the north, were in keeping |
with the occasion, happily con
ceived and generously and elOquently
carried out When all this was fin
ished, after three hours at the table, |
the great excursion party scattered
throughout the building under the
chaperonage Of members Of the expo
sition, directors and newspaper men
Of the city The party is loud III ex-
pressions Of delight at the
great display of southern vim
and enterprise and northern
visitors especially admit they
have learned a useful lesson from the
great and new south, which looks to
the future and lets the dead past care
for its own killed and wounded. Men
Of all shades Of political opinion are
here to-day, and not one but will adj /
NIT the usefulness of the display
made and its great value to the entire
union No matter what the financial
outcome Of the exposition may be,
the general result cannot be over-esti- |
mated, and the whole union is inter
ested in the success of the effort to
bring all people closer together.