Huntsville gazette., 1885-03-21


notice by a collection of $50 pbotogr apb
taken by colored artist. while Missj ssinn
sakes the foremost place in the dT ;nlay o
cetton. Virginia also has ON exr ibition
shrge,number of relics of George Washing
Fton. In etching, embroidery, c. avon draw
ngs. and general ineart wort.. the Distric
of Columbia is entitled 10 pr, e-eminence.
Two working models of lachinery show
the aptitude of some memb ers of the color
ed race for the mechanicsl arts; Of these
one is working model of locomotive il
the Arkansas exhibit. and the second 1
model steamboat in the Massa chusetts ex,
hibit. The latter model Was tried in the
lake few days since nd attained speed
OF or six miles an ho ur. Utah also con
tributes fine bit of constructive work il
the shape of a compile te quartz mill of i'm
proved pattern. inverted by colored mar
of that Territory. Alabama is entitled to
prominence as Occupying the greatest
amount Of space, while Louisiana's exhibit
shows the greatest diversity of articles
Georgia boasts her exhibit of the art OF
| carriage building, and New Jersey may
well be proud Of the exhibit of manufactur-
ed goods made by her colored representa-
tives here. In the display of woman s
work, New York takes the lead in paintings
and the graphic arts the New England
tota EnI
aggregating about 22Q paintings Tennes-
see is great in cereals, and Pennsylvania
shows some industrial and art work in wire
that deserves careful attention.
1t would be possible to go through all
the exhibits in the Colored Department
thus, pointing out the special excellence OF
grand appearance of the whole display save
by personal examination.
The following is the opening address de-
livered By State Senator Demas. Feb. 23rd,
at the grand opening ceremonies:
One canDot contemplate the object for
which we are gathered together to-day in
this gorgeous temple of industry without
INDUCING in fervent gratitude and thanks
giving to God, the great author of all good,
for that beniticence and divine goodness
which has crowned the history of the past
and present Of this glorious republic, and
which gives encouraging promise Of an al
titude ia human developments never attain
n baf Nv Ac
look around me and see the wonders on ev-
cry side, and behold the men and women
of my race on this occasion, as in contrast
with their condition of less than quarter
of century ago, l am impressed with the
truth Of those prophetic proclamations OF
the Psalms Of David; Ethiopia shall soon
stretch out her hands unto G 3D."
We are in the most emphatic sense, ''a
nation born unto God in day" The coll
ored people Of these United States through
all the period of their history, whether in
slavery Or in freedom, have proven them
selves to be true to the spirit of the sci IT,
timent uttered by an .illustrious represen.
tatiye Of their race, Il am man, and moth
ing that relates 10 man is foreign to ms
feelings.
The speaker referred at length and IN
eulogistic terms to the wonders Of the Ex-
position surrounding them, concluding
with the remark: ''ADd, as If to cap the eli.
max, here is the Ethiopian in the midst,
viewing with the rest for honor and distinc.
ton In this race Of life. Have we not rea>
son, my friends to rejoice in thankfulness
and gratitude to God? Time forbids my
dwelling upon the reasons we have for
thankfulness, bnt let me impress upon our
people to take courage from what we see
here as on evidence Of the capacity and in
dustry of our race. Small as it is, it is en-
couraging, and in view Of all the surround.
ing circumstances Of trial and difficulty
under which We have labored ever siuce
our emancipation, it speaks volumes for
those who have contributed these speci- |
mems of our industry which adorn the De,
partment of Colored Exhibits. This E1.
position, and the progress of our race az
developed through this channel, ought to
90 good way towards the settlement OF
one very important question that has prov |
ed d.trimental TO our prosperity during
hese late years of our freedom. 1t is the
question Of our ability to rise. Even here
upon the soil Of the sunny South we have
sufe red from belief in the impossibilitv
Of our winning our way to afauence or COM
Portable homes and security of life and
property, except in a very limited sense,
south of Mason & Dixon's line. The time
for indulging such opinions is past. Pro
jects Of immig grafton, and more especially
of immigration, at this most important ne,
Rod of our history, should be regarded
with the utmost caution and incredulity by
all our people. To settle down permanent
ly with firm resolve to fill our place in
the common, as well as in the more exalted
pursuits of life, is one OF the great neces,
sites of the present hour among our peo-
pie. We want to prove ourselves to be as
com pe(ent and worthy of the new rasno,