The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-02-01
A WISE SUGGESTION.
A Centennial Exposition For Ten
nessee to be Held in 500.
One Hundredth Anniversary Of lis
Admission to the Union.-.C COM
mended by The American.

The American proposes for Tenness-
ee q centennial exposition in comem
oration of the admission OF the State
TO the Union. That event occurred
June l, 1896, and its Tooth anniversary
is, therefore, two and a half years dis
tant.
The American believes that many |
arguments sustain the sugges ton, and
it is commended to the serious atten.
ton of the press and people OF the
State. 1t is not a project to be caus-
ally regarded or lightly undertaken.
Though conceiving it to be eminently
appropriate and advisable, and conf
dent that its execution would prove
both comparatively easy and abun-
dainty beneficial, it is an enterprise oil
q character whose success is absolutely
dependent upon the ardentand united
efforts OF the people at large; and The
American presents the subject to their
thoughtful attention, therefore, as be-
ing those whose interest and consider
alton are first Of all requisite TO even
any preliminary movements in the
matter.
This is distinctively an age OF object
lessons, and of these, expositions, by
common consent, have assumed front
rank in their pleasing impressiveness,
material results and inspiring accom-
paniments. The efforts OF many ma
tions, States and cities in this practi-
cal direction recently reached their
elimination in the Quadri Centennial
Exposition at Chicago, in which, un-
fortunately, Tennssee was not par
ticipant. When properly managed,
they are conceded to be inexpensive
but powerfully magnets for the attrac.
ton of capital, the dissemination OF
useful information, the cultivation of
civic pride and the advancement OF
broad dening civilization. To doubt this
were to impeach the demonstrations OF
universal experience and to discredit
results which intelligence has invari'
ably perceived and, though Tennessee
has never figured in an exposition
worthy OF either its record OF rank
among the sisterhood OF State, The
american takes it for granted that its
citizens are fully aware OF the advan-
tapes which other communities real
lied from their active identification in
such enterprises.
Though at various times the several
cities OF the State have made exhibits
OF their commerce and manufactures,
more or less creditable, yet never in
its history has an even approximately
complete, reliable or satisfactory dis
play been made Of the resources OF
Tennessee either before its own people
! or the outer world nor evidence OF its
growth in industries, trade, agricul'
ture. the arts and sciences been accu-
mulated nor have its rare historical
relics, personal and local, been gath
cred together to the fullest extent
practicable for popular inspection
| The American believes that the time
is ripe for an organized movement by
and among the people of Tennessee to
collect and display proofs OF their
peaceful prowess in transforming a
wilderness into proud common
wealth; to make exhibit of their un
surpassed agricultural, mineral and
arboreal wealth; of their progress in
commercial and industrial pursuits
and in all the avenues of expanding
civilization during this first century O
its existence, and to revive patriotic
, and glorsous memories OF the distin
!, guised line of dreat men which the
Volunteer State has given to the ma
ton, interesting reminders OF whose
, personality and deeds are scattered
from Memphis to Knoxville.
The American is confident that suct
an event would have greater effec
toward unifying the citizens OF tn
State in enlightened and aroused de
! termination to advance its materia
J features than any movement which
could be projected. In the presenc
= of the inspiring and mellowing iniu
= = ences which would radiate from assc
I citation around the achievements AM
q memories Of common land and com
= = mon heritage, the artificial barriers
. East, Middle and West Tennessee
y woult melt away, and the result woul
be 8 people more homogeneous !
in thought, ambitions, acts and syn