Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-31

cemetery in the city of Houston, my grand
parents and parents, ana other loved ones,
lie buried, and yield to no man in my pa
trioic affection for the Lone Star state.
When the legislature adjourn ed last win
ter without making an appropriation to
have this imperial state creditab bly, repre-
scented in the galaxy Of states and nations
At the Worlds Columbian exposition, /, as
a Worlds fair commissioner from this
state, Immediately appealed to the press of
Texas to advocate the holding of a conven-
ton where the people might do what the
legislature failed TO do. Ever true TO the
best interests of this state, the newspapers
responded promptly, and movement was
inaugurated to arouse public sentiment,
which resulted in the holding of Worlds
fair convention at Fort Worth last May.
This convention was attended by several
hundred representative men and women of
Texas. It was my privilege to be present
on that occasion, accompanied by the high
est officer of the Columbian exposition,
Directer-GenerAl Davis, and other promi-
nsnt World fair officials, who aided in the
preliminary york of organizing the Texas
Worlds fair exhibit association. A plan of
organization, as you remember, was adopted
by this convention, and board of directors
composed of Tell-knOwn citizens of the
state was created. In compliance with the
directions of that convention this board
procured Il charter for the association then
fo.nled. providing for capital of $4,000
divided into shares of 81 each, and the great
work of securing popular subscriptions vas
then begun.
The directors Unanimously elected Col.
Thomas j. Hurley OF Fort Worth as presi-
don't of the association and Mr.. Dudley d.
Bryan. city editor of the Galveston News,
as secretary. From my knowledge of the
duties devolving upon these two officers,
and from my intimate personal relations
for many years with both of them, | have
no hesitation IN saying that two worthier
men for their resptc i've p)sitions-the one
from North Texas and the other native of
South TeXas-could not have been found
within the borders of this commonwealth.
The possess all the qualifications needed to
perform successfully the eXacting require
ments of their position, and, since the date
of their election to the present hour, they
have done grand service in this great cam
paign Of state pride and national patriot
ism.
AS to the details of the work that these
officers have so efficiently performed, you
will learn fully from their reports.
As native Texan, and as an officer of the
Worlds Columbian commission, as well as
your representative on that commission,
you must be aware with what Solicitude l
regard the popular Worlds fair movement
now approaching thorough organization in
this state.
When the time had arrived for the desig-
nation of the sites on the Worlds fair
grounds for the various state buildings, Di-
rector-General Davis granted Texas, in my
opinion, the handSomeSt, largest and most
eligible location in jackson park. Texas
was given the post of honor Immediately to
the right of the main grand entrance to the
exposition. This the director-general did,
Notwithstanding the failure of our legislat-
ure to make an appropriation. He did it
because. from representations made to him,
he felt unmeasured confidence in the intel
ligence and public spirit of our people. He
believed that the fund required TO erect 4
building on this commanding site would be
forthcoming from people whose ancestry
had been pre-eminentlv inspired with the
highest type of moral advancement and
purest patriotism.
! have found it pleasure, as it was a
duty and price, to advance, TO the best of
my ability, the interests of the people of
Texas in connection with this great exposi-
tion, and to aid to the full extent OF my
power in raising funds adequate TO enable
Texas to be creditably represented in Chi
cago in 1893.
| have referred to my former visit, ac-
companied by Director-General Davis and
other Worlds fair officials, to Fort Worth
last May at the inception of this movement.
On this, luy second visit in behalf of this
popular movement, have the distinguished
honor and rare personal pleasure of being
meLlDtf Oh Il party lIlS MIS-. JOl-
ter Palmer, the president of the nauOnal
board Of lady managers of the Worlds Co
lumbian exposition, the woman who is I'M
queSionably and of right the most prOmi-
neGt in the cause of women in the world to-
day. She Is your most honored guest. No
words of mine can ever so feebly express
the satisfaction feel in having contributed
even in so slight degree to the visit OF this
noble woman to this proud state.
our people are also profoundly gratiied
n the presence mere to-day of one of the
greatest business men that Chicago has
produced. l allude to Mr.. Potter Palmer,
vice-presideut of the Worlds Columbian
exposition, whose business careers both be-
fore and since the great fire, are so thor
ougnly interviewer with the gigantic pro-
gross of that wonderful city that it would
be impossible to write the history of Chi
ca-o without recording the principal events
in the life of this well-6uown citizen and
able iinancier of the great West-a man
who has been one of the builders Of the
world. and not one of its takers.
/ have also the pleasure to state, that
there is present here to-day my personal
friend the Hon. Leroy d. Ihoman, OF Chi
cago. president OF the state Columbian
association, who delivered at Fort Worth
last May such Il mastery address at the
World fair convention that l insisted on
his accepting the invitation TO speak 10 the
people of Texas at the Dallas fair.
Since ! last had the honor of addressing
til men and women of Texas, vast progress
has been made in the work of preparation
Tor the Worlds Columbian exposition. The
enthusiasm everywhere manifest through
out this state is only an evidence of the
universal interest being taken in an event
which directly concerns the people of the
whole world. Every nation and every peo-
pie Is already putting forth its best efforts
10 be titly represented at the great interna-
tional contest The scale ON which prepa-
rations are being made furnishes abundant
testimony of the world's appreciation of the
Importance of the event. The battlefield
al Chicago will be one whcreon might does
not make right, but where true worth. adj
judged to be such in the eyes of the world,
and proved by the verdict of the world, will
be vic ,orous. On the battlefield of peace
SCIENCE, industry and merit will be of more
account than strength of arms, or even pre-
ponderance OF wealth. In that contest the
people of Texas must of necessity take
front rank, if we are to maintain the dig
nifty and honor which IS the birthright of
every man, woman and child in this vast
Empire state.
N order that you may have fair concep-
ton Of the magnitude OF the event in which
you will be called upon to take part as
competitors permit me to lay before you
few facts, prepared from official sources,
which Q how better than words how the
world at large already regards the Column
bian exposition.
F'orty-thrce nations have already sgnifed
20 the director-geueral of the exposition
their intention TO participate, and, as