Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04


true from every quarter come In and
dwell with us
Before me | SEQ men from the icelands
of the far North, and those who hail
from where the trcpic sun tints the flow
ers with richest hues--men from the
western plains, and some whs come from
foreign shores. To each Of these Nir-
ginis stretches out her motherly hands
to welcome you within her gates and bid
you be at home. None will fail TO be
impressed with the fact that this great
exhibition Is most largely VirglDian.
The story il tells of her capabilities
must be a revelation TO the world.
These magnificent exhibits of handi-
work in wood and iron that won
deriul display Of her farm and gar
den products that show OF mineral
wealth, make up picture which will DO
reflected from this spot owe. the nations
OF the earth, and when your mighty en-
gine shall have been aroused 10 set in
motion these numberless belts. pulleys,
and gears there will go up from each one
of these machines a voice which shall be
heard beyond the great seas. We arc
none the less proud OF these exhibits
from without our borders. Thrice vel
come to you. gentlemen, exhibitors. We
trust that in coming days there may be
to you n fragrance around tho name Of
Virginia which shall make memory the
sweeter.
JUST EIGHTY-oNH DAYS.
Where now stand these grand build
ings, ninety davs ago the lark made her
nest in the tall grass and her carol was
heard in the morning hour. On June Z,
1883, the hammer and saw began here
their work, and on August 9th this
building was ready for occupancy.
Eighiy-one days and the work was done.
Does any one now say that this people
lack push ? Tell me if you can when
and where has the work been surpassed ?
All honor, praise. and credit TO the faith
ful among us who invested OF their
means to secure this success. Go, men
OF Virginia, look upon yonder roll Of
names and realize your indebtedness to
them.
What shall say to those who have
stood shoulder 10 shoulder with me, *
noring personal interests and comforts
to accomplish this great task. From
away down in the depths OF my heart
there comes mp a voice the earnes,ness
OF which finds no expression IN our com.
mon tongue.
his Co-woRKERs
Circumstances not TO bo controlled
deharred some Of you from giving that
full service which You would g'adly
have done. I take it that few bodle'
ever met with such complete harmony
and il there is in store Tor mo slngi'
regret IN connection with these expe
riences it will bo when th'
hour Of our separation ~ co
workers shall come. IL was you
! pleasure TO elect from among your mum
Der q special committee to whom VA
committed the details Of the Exposition
! would b0 untrue to my ogn feelings
TO sense of justice-dId ! not bea
testimony here and now to the unbrokeI
support and the untiriDg zeal Of Pattor
son, Cook. and Randolph. Amid all th'
perploxitiee, anxicties, and responsible
ties, verify, you. my friends, bave beef
the fortress of my strength. No time
no place, has been too sacred for you t
answer every summons.
yiEGMIAs FCrUHE.
If there is a bright future for Viz
ginia and does any oue doubt til
there is to be seen a new life among thl
people. is il not already manifest ? J
there IS to be great development,
not the index already opened here
Then date the new era from the RGposI
ton OF 1893, and place the roll Of thes
subscribers and these workers IN tn
corner stone of the new temple Of Viz
gina strength.
Proud as We may 'be Of our State
history, OF the men she has given 10 tn
nation, and whose minds gave birth Z
this republic, rocked it IN the cradle O
its infancy and reared it up to a full
grown body polite such as the world ha
never equalled nor will ever surpast
we believe that there is yet M eveI
brighter day breaking; for here when
war, that deyourIng monster, stalhe
through the land and abundant home
were laid waste on the bills where cal
tie pastured late the fearful canno
belched forth its destructive muslc, an
Virginia became n yeritable 4" city Of ia
dead" Behold what mighty things hay
been accomplished.
Yes, a brighter day is breaking, befor
the sun Of which shall set Virginia wi
again take her place in the front ran
among the States.
Mr.. 5tarke WAS in good voice, deliver
ed himself gracefully, and was loudl
cheered when he closed, and when th
exercises were over his friends, mcludin
ladies'. aocked on tho stage to eongratu
late him.
Mayor EIiSsOn's speech.
Mayor j. Taylor fllyson next cam
forward, after music. aud SAID:
Nr. Prosidelf, I, Ladfcs and Gcnftemen
On the Doric coInmn that one
crowned tho summit Of Beacon Hill
Boston. and which was erected 10 con
nemorate the virtues Of the brave me
who fell in our first struggle for Amer
can Independence there was written tn
inscription:
, AMERICANS:
while from this eminenco scenes Of iuTuTia
fertility, Of nOurEhing commerce, and tho
abodes of socta happiness meet your
yiex forget not hose % whose eIer-
lions sou OWo these blessings.
And so | feel. my fellow citizens, thu
as We gather here 10 participate IN Il
pleasures Of these inaugural exercis
we should bear IN grateful recollectic
the men TO whose public spirit, cOurag
and faithful endeavor we owe this oI
first Virginia Exposition. Applause
There are tides in the affairs OF Con
mouwealths rs well as in those Of ind
yiduals which taken at the Hood lel
on TO fortune.
Virginia with her almost inexhaust
. be mineral resources, her beautiful Al
, fertile valleys, and her ssIubrious cl
, mate, has until recently been aimo
. unknown 10 the world. Indeed b
! riches were hidden even from the ey
! OF her own citizens, and not until Il
, last decade have we awakened TO som
thing like an appreciation OF the gran
, possibilities Of our own State.
> The time had come in her histO
: when irginia must either move 70