Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-01
MEMPHIS APPEAL
THE LADIES AND THE EXPOSITION

THE LADIES AMI THE EXPOSITIUE.
That the coming grand Cotton Exposition
OF New Orleans will eclipse everything Of
the kind ever attempted in the South, lie an
evident fact. If one thing were wanting TO
make that fact certain, the certainty is now
assured, for the ladies propose to take part
in it. With the ladies at work, the exposi-
ton is sure 10 be thing of beauty, "a well
a. an emporium for what is instructive and
useful. The project for holding the e1posi-
ton having originated in Mississippi, Maria
J. johnson, of the Mounds, in Madison par
i.h, La, has published communication in
the Vicksburg Herald, in which she states
that, in consultation with ladies in Vicks-
burg, "the sentiment wss unanimously ex-
pressed that men alone must not be allowed
t. manage the Worlds Industrial and Cotton
Centennial Exposition, but that the women
OF the South should avail themselves Of the
opportunity TO demonstrate their importance
in agriculture and other branches OF indus.
try. At the desire Of the ladies consulted
with the writer of the communication,
whether Miss or Mrs. johnson does not ap.
pear, waited upon the president OF the Ma
tional Cotton Planter Association, Col. F.
G. Morehead, who advised that a memorial
be presented 10 the Board Of Management,
suggesting the organization Of a woman's
department in connection with the exposi-
ton, to be known as the "Womsn's Cotton
Centennial Commission" The lady, in her
communication, slvs: "This department
should be gotten up on the largest possible
scale, its object being to chow results accom-
plished by women, not only in our section.
bat through the entire civilized world. Ii
should contain all articles grown,
invented, patented, manufactured, and
made aud us-d by women, and will
include a division where the work of
female artists in painting aud other plastic
arts will be collected from near and far. A
cooking school should be in constant opera
tion; and Kindergarten exercises must be
provided for" She suggests that women in
all directions should begin, without delay, 10
make and raise articles for the exposition.
A correspondence must be opened with par
ties in Europe soliciting contributions Of
articles for the women's department, and
contributions will no doubt be made exceed
log those of the Philadelphia Exposition,
when crowned heads and princesses royal
were represented by their handiwork. A
large portion Of the cotton planter, Maria
J. johnson we'll reminds the ladies of the
South, care women, and they are second TO
none in the management of their estates
and the manipulation of their crops" The
instances, in fact, Of womsh's capacity are
daily multiplying around us. The cease of Mrs.
Roebling, the wife Of the chief engineer of tie
construction Of the great bridge at New
York, ia striking instance of what woman
is capable of. Her husband becoming disA-
bled by sickness, she made herself master Of
all the mulIifarious details of the work, and
Of the often profound principles that lay at
their basis. Such things as the tension Of
metals and the strain upon timber are mat
tiers that appear 10 be little in the way Of
female study, but contractors and Horkmen
when receiving instructions from Mrs. Roeb-
ling found her fully competent 10 give them.
For woman to take a distinct and indie
will, therefore, be certain to add to its al
fractions in very marked degree. While
the ladies Of Europe and Of the Northern
States are giving their aid, it Is for he ladies
OF the South 10 chow they can be outrivaIed
by none. Now is their opportunity to show
the world what they are capable of. Travel
ers and novellsts have often spoken of The
Southern ladies as beautiful faiHedntes, more
pleasing than useful; but We are surs that
those who visit the New Orleans Expedition
will go away from it with different opinion.
The action now taken puts the sex in the
South upon its mettle, and the Southern
women have already shown what they can
do "when their blood is up" Maria j.
johnson calls for prompt action, and solicits
correspondence through the Office of the
PEanters' Journal, or any of the Vicksburg
papers. Wherever ladies meet, this subject
should be discussed, and the ladies Of Mem
phis are certain not TO fail in their share of
this interesting undertaking.