Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-13
C0TTON'S BIG CENTENNIAL
10000 PERSONS ON THE EXPO
SITION GROUNDS.

1000 PERSONS ON THE EXPO
SITION GROUNDS.
An Eloquent Address from the Lips OF
the kentucky CicerO-HaPpy Remarks
by President MOrehead and Director
General Burke-President Arthur In
dOrses the Memorials
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 12.-The celebra-
ton OF the hundredth anniversary OF the
entry of cotton into the commerce Of
America took place at Music Hall of the
Worlds Exposition to-day, and was the
greatest event that has yet transpired at
the exposition. over 1900 per-
sons were present, and the
isles and galleries were crowded
to overtlowing, and not even standing
room could be had in any part of the vast
Music Hall. The ceremonies were most
impressive, and Henry WattersOn. who
represented the city OF Louisville in the
convention and VINO was selected
by the National Cotton Plan
ters' Association as the orator
OF the day, was escorted to the platform bv
a committee OF tenn representative planters
Zone from each cotton growing Statel
while the Marine 6and played HAL to
the Chief" Bishop GalleheT, of Louisi-
ana, made a most eloquent cOmmemora-
tive prayer, after which President More
head introduced Director General Burke.
who made an address on tne part OF the
exposition, paying an eloquent tribute to
the National Cotton Planters Association
as the lnaugurator OF the exposition. In
introducing Mr. WaLUerson, President
Morehead referred to him as a man who
had the courage OF his convictions and
who knew no motive but his country.
The convention Will not adjourn before
Saturday night.
Music Han was crowded with members
of the National Cotton Planters Associa-
tiOn and others directly or Indirectly
interested in the staple. On the platform
were President r. Q. MOrehead, of the
Cotton Planters Association, the Cover
nor and stan, foreign representatives,
United states commissioners, the Dlrec-
tor General and the members of The Board
of Management, and the officers of the
various organizations now in session at
the exposition. At $3.50 O'Clock Bishop
Gallagher, the head of the Episcopal
Churcn in Louisiana, opened with prayer.
In mis- address President MOrehead said:
| doubt not that the audience understand
the Importance OF the great event that we are
celebrating. lt was Il great event, that of
which this is the hunuredth anniversary,
the entry OF cotton factor into the COM
merce OF America. 1t was one hundred years
ago that the first bale OF cotton was exported
to Great Britain.
GEN. BURKE's ADDRESS.
Director General Burke prefaced his
address of welcome by saying:
1t is pleasing duty at all times during the
progress Ot this work TO be thrown into rela-
tiOns with the great factors That have pro-
NOTED its success, and IL would be unseemlY il
/ failed upon this occasion to express the ap-
probation entertained by the management OF
the exposition of the measure OF reward en-
titled to be bestowed on the members of tue
National Cotton Planters Association.
After paying a merited tribute TO the
association, as being the tirst to foster and
encourage the industrial school, as pre-
sented in the exposition, MIR. Burke pic
tured the lesson taught by the vast col
lection OfeXhibits-a scnOol CONSTRUCTION,
which viii qulckon into life new feature
of this country. lie feared that the few
months remaining to the exposition would
not suffice TO achieve the great purpose OF
its object lessons, and hoped tnat, in the
benehcence OF the government, efforts
would be made to proIong 1T until every
man, woman ana child in the country
shared IN its benefit. The Director GEN
eral concluded his address by disserta-
tiOn on intelligent cultivation of cotton
and its relation to the increasing pros
perity of tue land.
MR.. wATTERsoN's ADDRESS.
Henry Watterson, editor of the Louis
vile COuFieF-JOurgdL, was next intro
duced, and thus responded on behalf Of
the Cotton Planters Association:
GBErLnsfES or THE CONVENTION; You viii
forgive mel hope, for saying that amnOt quite
certain whether ought TO be more surprised
or pleased by this magnificent display of en-
terprise and character. l know that l am
moved by both sensations, for, whilst it is
supreme honor and qualification to
meet such a representative body of
southern men at this end OF the country.
had been somewhat under the mlsinf8rmatiOn
nnfIl | here that pVpFvh DIV H.
cred at tee other end. | had reaI in the
newspapers, which, you know, always tell the
truth, particularly Northern newspapers
W en- speaking Of southern affairs, that the
South had packed its gripsaek and gone TO
ashingtOn to get an office. How is this? ls
1t that we believe cotton still to be king that
we have turned our backs upon the court cir
cles of the East and come to pay homage to
the severe gn who smiles only upon those
that stand erect in the image Of their
Maker, ana VINO receives lattery from nOnct
Is 1t that we have come to the conclusion
that we have more glory than money to sup
port it, and that with the idea Of improving
our fortunes we have determined for time
TO retire from active pOlitles2 lie who would
know sthe truth need only cast his eye over
the first section of the charter from which the
National Cotton Planters Association derives
its being. That act of Incorporation declares
the purposes of the organization to be the ad-
vancement of the material interests
of landlord and lab0rer and tenant in
the cultivation of cotton and all other pro-
ducts of the South, embracing the more sclen-
tho ana economical cultivation OF The soil,
the announcement Of labOr-saving ma
chinery and improved agricultural Imple-
ments, the interchange OF opinions and knoWl-
edge in the buying, selling and renting Of
lands IN one word, the most pointed and
effective development Of the vast resources
of this wOndrOus land of ours.
ARTHUR INDORsES THE MEMORIAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb 12.-Presdent Ar
thur to-day transmitted 10 Congress the
report of the Board of Management of the
Worlds Industrial and Cotton Centen-
NAL Exposition at New Orleans and also
the memorial of the United States Com
missioners to the exposition, requesting
an additional appropriation to eXtinguish
the deficit in its accounts and asking
authority to reopen the exhibition during
the winter of 1856. The President in
his message of transmIttai Sdys:
The failure on the part of the management
to carry out the original intent in regard 70
the exposition might reflect upon the honor
of the United States Government, since 81
foreign nations aud i6 states and Territories
have Joined IN the enterprise through IA tn in
the sanction Of the government In view OF
this fact, and in consideration of the value Of
the exposition to the cause Of material pro-
gress ana general ed cation, l respectfully
submit the report mentioned for the favor
able consideration of Congress.
The report Of the Board of Management
and memorial of the United States Com
missioners have already been printed.