Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-09
Ehe ENpnsltIOn.


| sm actuaied by the desire simply TO call
the coloTed peoples attention TO the fact that
virginia v IN have aH Agricudfursi Necbani.
cal, and Tobacco Exposition in the city Of
Richmond, beginning on the 3d day of Oc-
tober next, and closing not earlier than the
2lst day OF November. Knowing The failure
Of our people 10 put of things until il * too
late repeated notices OF this Kind can do no
harm, but great good. Being one OF the
four persons who ROt up and held the first
colored industrial exhibition Of Virginia in
this city in 1884, also having been a commits
sioner for Virginia both 10 the Worlds In
du,trial aud Cotton Centennial ana the
North Central aud South American EXPOSE
ton which were held in the city Of New
Orleans in 1SS4-'SJ-'SG, therefore | think
have some idea OF the colOred peoples capa.
bility and genius for preparing and exhibit
ing the products OF both their brains and
hands. The first colored industrial exhibit
ton was held in the old Odd-Fellows' Hail,
on Franklin street near the Exchange Hotel,
In which hall the cOlOred people OF Virginia
for the first time, and to the great surprise Of
all, had m exhibit as a whole which eXceled
both In kind and class the expectation Of all.
When the nations OF the earth were invited
INTO an exposition at New Orleans an expert
department for cOl0red exhibits for the pur-
pose OF showing the progress made by the
colered people in industry since the dawn OF
freedom. The organization was perfected
under many doubts as TO the eXpe-
diency Of such An attempt, fearing
that the uniayorabe circumstances un.
der which we labored might deies
such a display as was within our grasp,
but wisdom OF the effort was fully yindicated
I'm the grandeur OF the results. Doubts were
dispelled, fears subsided, and hopes more
than realized The department presented s
most wonderful exempliicatiOn OF the mate
rial development and substantial progress OF
the race in the South. The ingenious de.
signs in mechanism. the skilful haudlcrait,
the artistic presentations OF fancy work, the
various agricultural products In the per.
ieetlon OF growth, aud other material and in
dustrial developments were an irresistible
and convincing argument that the negro oi
the South, II not too much handicapped aud
with ANYTHING like an equal chance In HES
great contest, would realize that happy and
friendly future theorists have fancied.
The exhibits OF the colored people at the
North. Central. and South American Expo
sition showed vast progress made by The
race within the last twenty years, and | an
proud to say that the Virginia exhibits al
both expeditions were second to none OF any
other State.
Some will ask. what s the object OF this
great Exposition and others II there Is any
money ia it? The answer is No, but the OBJ
ject is noble one. Men exhibit with hope
TO increase or build up their business, 10 get
their names before the world, 10 become im-
mortal in history, to build up the character
OF their race. and above ali TO QdUdRce the
cause Of civilization.
Every citizen OF Virginia should with
much pride do all within his power 10
make the Exposition 4 grand success. And
aside from the material results OF the Expo
sition, vast aud far. reaching as they will be,
let us not lose sight OF the great good 1t will
accomplish in uniting the people OF the en-
tire State in a bond OF union, faith, and con-
fidence that will stand ss long as the ever.
lasting hills. Such an achievement won will
be worth many times over the money ex.
pended. The gathering OF the people from
all sections OF our beautiful State at the Ex-
position will accomplish what cannot be
hoped for Ia a long time to come under
other circumstances. Such will break down
the barriers, disarm prejudice, expose
error, and show beyond the shadow OF :
doubt that the colored peoples and white
peoples interests are one and the same In
Virgins, and should be one in heart, and IN
all our hopes and aspirations 10 make thu
great enterprise such an Exposition as will
reject credit upon the Tother state 20 whict
she will not be ashamed 10 invite her ehil.
dren. Il. A. RANDOLPH.