Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-27
The ExnOsitiOn.

TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The tide has risen, and the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical Society is
fairly aAoat with as canny q skipper as
Ger walked quarterback and as bonnie
a crew as Ger slung hammocks in a fore
castle. The tug will soon cast adrift the
tow-rope, and the order be given to
"sheet-home, and then there will dawn
for Virginia an era as bright as was ever
vouchsafed any of her sister States. She
has long lain dormant and been passed,
one after another, by her sisters, till
many had begun to think she would be
the last TO awake from the lethargy
caused by the downfall OF the Southern
Confederacy. In defence of her we have
to say that her beloved bosom was
bathed constantly in the carnage
OF brave men on both sides
of bitter and determined contest for
the four long and dark years OF the late
Rebellion. She gave during that period
food and sustenance to large bodies OF
men and horses, and of course came out
terribly devastated. But that bosom.
ever kind itself, responds quickly to kind
treatment, and with thickly-settled coun-
ties (small towns, villages, and farms
within these) she will soon regain all her
pristine glory. The Exposition is a grand
Step towards accomplishing this end.
When the foregoing is accomplished then
the "bloody chasm" will be filed up
with the men who allude to it; the
bloody shirt mot being washable( made
over again, and the "Solid South " in
vited in body, to come up
and meet the UNITED North" once
more on Virginia soil at our
expositions to be held each year
in Richmond. Now, We must take steps
to get them, on both sides. their invita-
tons. They must be carried to their
homes and delivered to them. The So
ciety should send out good men to adj
vertise the Exposition in every portion
of tue United States, but most particu-
larry, we would suggest, in the "bliz-
gard" portions Of the North AID North
west and the fever-stricken districts OF
the South. These men should post
themselves thoroughly on Virginias re-
sources and the various localities where
land can be purchased, the varying
character OF the soil in many parts OF
the State, and its daptabilty to different
usages and purposes. Then the stranger,
knowing the occupation he wishes to
follow, could learn at once what
portion OF the State would suit
his purposes best. The men sent out
by the society should be chosen for their
qualifications. They should be ever
courteous, never firing of answering
questions and putting forward the supe-
riorities Of Virginia, of which her climate
would claim most recognition-men
being able to work out of doors all the
year, and many months in their shirt
sleeves. They should be worthy speci-
mems Of the population they invite
strangers to come and dwell amongst.
could go on with many more sugges-
tions, but will not ask our lenient editor
for more Of his valuable space, but wind
up by 5egging every citizen, both Of our
cities and counties, to give the EXPOSE
ton his hearty support The good that
is TO come of it cannot be estimated in
dollars and cents, and will only be APP
preciated when our dear old mother State
Shall have put on her ante-bellum garb
and all nature smile back at the God who
| gave it. HAYsEED.