Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-18
ADDRESS TO The PEOPLE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

terial md Intellectual Enterprise.
We again address you in behalf Of the
continued effort of the North Carolina
Industrial Association to better the con
dition of our people by stimulating them
to higher endeavors and grander accom-
plishments in the various avenues of
human activity. In this we are not only |
to better our condition and advance our
standard as race, but the glory and
greatness of our good old State and all
her people must surely follow her sue
cess. 1t may be well that we remind you
of the fact that it is ours to play COM
handing part in the great drama of
building up North Carolina and in giving
her the place in the galaxy of States for
which God and nature intended her. She
is fertile in all the elements of mighty
commonwealth and mighty people. Her
rich and varied soil, in which spring
almost indigenous every product of which
earth is capable; her splendid water
powers; her untold mineral wealth; her
mild and health giving climate; her for
ests of valuable woods, all these and
many other advantages point her out as
destined by Providence to furnish field
for the very finest display of human
genius and human ingenuity. These
whisper of the day when her great bosom
shall be opened and every pulsation of
her great heart shall propel Il current of
peace, plenty and prosperity into every
department of material and intellectual
progress. Let us do our part in hasten
ing such period. In no way can we do
this more eifectually than by cultivating
and stimulating the spirit OF progressive
enterprise, competition and excellence.
We must not be satisfied with simply
doing something, and doing that some
thing well, but must reach out for the
very topmost round, and not contented
until the crown of excellence rests
upon our productions. We must cult
waite, too, that love of State, that pride
of native home, which calls into exercise
the noblest powers of mind and body in
efforts to develop her greatness and give
her proud place and a potent influence
among the sisterhood of States
1t is with no small degree of pleasure
that we point to the magnificent work
which has been done by the North Caro-
lima Industrial Association in this direc-
ton. Opening its first great exhibition
in 1879, it has kept up its organization
and Its annual display OF the capabilities
of our race to the present. And 1t is our
greater pleasure to inform you that the
officers now in charge have taken hold
with renewed vigor, and that the forth
coming eighth annual fair is to prove the
/ ,InNa N
the variety and character of its exhibits,
as well as in its incidental attractions, of
any of its predecessors. While in the
years gone by the world has looked in
upon our grounds and through our halls
with wonder and admiration, it has con
stantly remarked by those better ac-
quainted with the capabilities of our
race, that it has not, thus far, fully in
Dictated its productive genius. Such an
exhibition as the colored people of North
Carolina ca1 make and sh0uid make,
would not only call forth the astonish-
ment of the stranger, but would surprise
the race itself.
From now forth the effort will b. to
make such display at our next fair as
will, in some adequate measure, do JUS
tice to the productive capacity of our
race.
This is an end so devoutly to be wished,
that we rely most confidently upon the
thoughtful men and women of our race
in all parts of the State to aid us in every
possible way. Set to work at once. Look
through the premium list and begin the
preparation of articles which come in your
hnc. Put in your very best work. You
will lose nothing by the effort. 1t will
prove its own reward. Talk the object
of the fair to your neighbors and friends
andassist the Secretary in reaching the
people in every county, city, town and
| village in the State. Remember that we
are on trail. The critical eye of the
world is passing us under review year
after year, and is adjudging us as the
value of contributions to the greatness of
man are manifest. Let us come up
grandly to the full measure of our oppor-
tunities and thus dIssipate the doubts of
many of our inherent forces.
We again return thanks to the white
people of the State for the commendable
generosity with which they have aided
our enterprise. In this they have not
only evidenced the existence of kindly
interest IN the future of the race, but
have evInced love of State and breadth
of conception which cannot fail of results
of lasting benefit to ALL
To the railroads of the State we make
grateful acknowledgement of the service
which they have rendered US. The
officers of each have treated the Associa-
ton with great kindness and courtesy,
and have seemed deeply interested in the
success of cur work
To the State press, the great power
which has done so much for every enter
prise looking to the material development
of the State, we owe a debt of lasting
gratitude. The very first to fall in the
line of support, the unselfish gentlemen
of the newspaper fraternity Of North
Carolina have never faltered in devotion
to the best interest of our race as espoused
by our organization. They have rendered
us such aid as we could not have sue
ceeded without.
To the State of North Carolina. the
Governor and the Commissioner of Agri-
culture, we return hearty thanks for the
patriotic manner in which they have fos-
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