Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
Tho Richmond Century Exposition.

Tho suggestion thrown out yesterday
49,, .ho Tisnatch that Richmond ought TO
he the next city to announce an inter-
state IL not an international exposition
,,oets with the approval Of many OF our
public-spirited men.
If upon further consideration tney con-
clude that we ought to have such an ex-
position. have It We shall. and make
success Of 1t we must.
The number of thorough-going. Pubic
snIrited men here is not quite so large
as we would like, but to a great extent
they make up in ardor what they lack
in numbers They are the men 10 tax
to about any great enterprise. IL shey
say such and such a thing Is to go
"so' II will and that too. notwithstand-
ing announcement from the faint-heart-
ed.
1t Is gratifying to US to know that Rich-
mond's historical attractions are widely
celebrated; but we should enjoy more
celebrity than we do for what we have
accomplished In the way Of building up
our war-wrecked city; In developing and
extending our industries: in inaugurating
and sustaining great banking enterprises.
and In keeping we'll up with our compeu-
tors In all that makes a community OF
happy homes and thriving enterprises.
Times are bound to mend-even tho Re
publican party cannot hinder this-and
we ought to plan to take advantage OF
them and give Richmond a great push
In the new century.
One Of the ways to promote this end
is for Richmond TO celebrate the new
century with great exposition.
Atlanta will have her exposition next
year and Baltimore hers the year after.
and 1900 will be good time for us to
have ours. We believe that Richmond
can combine Industrial and historical fea-
lures which will prove greatly attractive
to visitors. We shouldn't aim at immen-
sity, but nicely OF display. We have the
grounds all ready, and we have standing
some OF the buildings needed. and can
readily raise the money to erect others.
The Federal Government has made appro-
priations to aid expositions at Philadel-
phia, New Orleans. Chicago, Atlanta, and
at many other places. and We cannot but
believe that It will DO its part by Rich
mond Yes, OF course Congress would
appropriate money for q government ex-
hibit here.
If Richmond and Manchester and the
suburbs Of both Of these cities are con-
solldated as we hope TO see done by the
year 1900. ours will be pretty big city.
1t will certainly have q population Of
much more than 1250O0, and may have
10000. That consolidation would be an
event worth SIGNALLING. That would be
an appropriate occasion for calling to-
gether all Of our friends to rejoice with
US. Then We should have Virginians, and
sons and grandsons of Virginians, troop
ing In here In numbers sufficient to make
great crowd themselves. And there is
hardly man or woman Of Virginian
blood who would not come here. IL posi-
BILE. from the remotest corners Of the
earth. 1t would be q general assembly
Of Virginians gathered from all lands
But Richmond has attractions appealing
to others almost as much as to Virgin.
ians. The veterans and the sons OF vete-
rams Of both armies would be glad to hear
of an exposition at Richmond.
The fact Is that we do not lack attrac-
lions; the world always comedies US this
much.
The simple question Is. Are we willing
to go to the trouble and expense Of an
exposition? Are we willing to make use
Of our advantages as any other city Of
our size similarly situated would make
use Of themr In other words. do we want
to advertise ourselves and our goods. and
put money in our pockets. while we benefit
the world? II We do. We ought to take
our turn at having a great interstate or
international exposition. What think. You.
friends?