The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-12-12
A Suggestion to the Worlds Cotton
Exposition.

We republish below the letter OF
Col. F. II. Hatch to the Cotton Ex-
change, which we published shortly
after it's date and in which it was sug-
gested by him that the Cotton Ex-
change erect q statue of Eli Whitney,
the inventor of the Cotton Gin in the
central hall of its new building which
was then in process of construction.
The suggestion was eminently o pro-
per one and excited generally favora-
BILE remark by reason of its appropri-
ateness, but for some reason which
seems to US inexplicable, the Cotton
Exchange failed to adopt it.
Now that the Worlds Cotton Expo
sition is to be held in New Orleans
next year and that it is proposed to
erect magnificent buildings there for
that purpose, we reprint the letter of
Col. Hatch and suggest to the man
agement of the Exposition that they
act upon the suggestion, and erect at
some suitable place in their buildings
the statue Of Eli Whitney. Any ex-
position of cotton and it's products that
failed to do honor to the man who did
more than all other men for cotton,
would fall short of the mark. A pro-
minent place should be given to Eli
Whitney and we hope to see the statue
erected and suitable services held in
his honor.
| ELI WHITNEY.
We publish below the letter of Col.
Hatch to the Cotton Exchange, Of which
we had something to say editorally last
week. We find 1t being noticed quite
extensively by the press, as might have
been expected of so appropriate sug
gestion. The cotton growing State
should delight to honor the name Of Ell
Whitney:
New ORLEANS, La. J
March IS, 1882. I
Thomas L. Airey, Esq.,, President =
DEAR SIR There was held abou
. twenty-five years since, upon the spo
= now occupied by your honorable ant
useful association (then the Varietie
Theatre) the last of q series of South
western conventions, called in severa
Of the cotton States to promote the gen
eral interests of that section of tn
country. As delegate to that conven
: ton 1 had the honor of introducing
: through my friend. the late Colonel s
w. Oakley, (having been personally at
sent,) a resolution to erect monumen
: on Stone Mountain, in the State q
Georgia, to the memory Of Eli whitney
the inventor of the cotton gin, and t
tprovide funds by the voluntary contri
buttons of one or two cents per bal
from years cotton crop. That a reso
luton was favorably entertained, bu
was never put into practical operation
The erection of your magnificent edific
suggests the eminent fitness of adornin
its central hall with the statue /
bronze or marble of this great invento
tho effects of whose invention has e1
tended to every foot of the habitabl
globe and stimulated every activity use
full and ornamental that pervades tn
= civilized world. Ample funds could b
{ provided l doubt not by the cheerful
o contribution Of one cent per bale of a
= School Design would doubtless furnis
/. a fitting model to honor the man an
d the generous donors.
s Many cities of the world are profus,
ly embellished with monuments an
statutes to soldiers and statesmen, poetl
philosophers and kings; but seldom {
!. those whose genius has added thor
sandfold more to the wealth and lux,
}. ~ of man, and paved the way to thol
brilliant manifestations Of martial glt
~ and aesthetic excellence.
Let then, New Orleans be the first
perpetuate in enduring marble Il,
memory of one, the effect OF who's
achievements would be fit theme 70
WV 9V"Su0 Va SASciV, GuC CutSCA Va IL
dias or the muse of Homer.
l will only add that as Eli Whitne
was a native of Massachusetts,, this
State or at least the Cotton Exchange {
Boston should be permitted to transfe
from her granite hills the pedestal o
which the statue Ia designed to res
That noble city has ever been the fir!
to respond to the calamities we hav
suffered from pestilence, flood and fire
" but in her own aff1ictioh has always d,
clined the assistance of her sister cities
> and has earned the proud cognomen {
h Boston always asks to give, but never
receive.
Trusting that my suggestion, whic
the lapse of time admonished me sha
4 probably never have 90 suitable an o.
- casion to make again, will meet with
j. prompt and approving response frol
your distinguished body, remain, yer
respectfully, your obedient servant,
IS F. II. HATCH.
RUIN WROUGHT IN THE Forest
How depressing it is to see acres