Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-19
EXPOSITION OPEN.
A Break in the Color Line at
Georgia's Capital.
NEGRO ORATOR ON THE PLATFORM,

NEGRO ORATOR ON THE PLATFORM,
And Colored Men and Women in Carriages
in the ProcessiOn-ElOquentR Remarks Of
Booker 7. washington-"Cast Down
Your Bucket Where You Are"-The
Touching of the Button and Starting Of
the Macl,inery-The Grand Finale.
ATLANTA, Sept 19-The great Cotton
States exposition is open, and opened amid
scenes that are unique in this meek %
woods" A well-known writer once de-
scribed a scene witnessed at the visitors
entrance to the British house Of commons.
The writer aforesaid and two travelling
acquaintances one Of whom he calls al
abama," had tried in vain to obtain tick
cts to the visitors gallery of the British
house, and failing had gone around to
the entrance to that gallery to watch those
who had been more fortunate.
"Ireat Scott, Alabama, Look at That"
As they stood there among the first who
came along with the coveted ticket OF
admission was tall negro, coal black,
escorting pretty flaxen haired English
girl. As they moved toward the entrance
the writer exclaimed to his Alabama
friend, Great Scott, Alabama, look at
that And they looked. The color line
evidently did not exist in that country.
In Il measure the opening of the exposition
here was as remarkable in respect to the
color line rs scene the pictured in the fore
going. The programme in the Auditorium
within the exposition grounds presented
the remarkable spectacle Of Ex-Governor
Rufus b. Bullock, elected chief executive
of the state by Republican votes dur
ing the reconstruction period, and now q
leading citizen of Atlanta and director of
the exposition, acting as master of cere-
monies in introducing in succession to q
southern audience, Mrs. Joseph Thomp-
son, president of the woman's board, and
Booker 4. Washington, the representative
of the negro race.
Words Of the Negro Orator.
This incident coupled with the appear
anoc of negroes i'm carriages in the parade
and the presence of the Negro building on
the grounds emphasized the recognition
given to the race by this exposition for the
first time in the history of such enter
priscs. And Booker Il. WashingtOn's ora
tion was worthy of the occasion. 1t was
delivered in faultlcss English, with i'm
prcssivcness and cloqucnce, and was fire.
qucntly applaudcd. He said in part:
NO enterprise seeking the material, civil
or moral welfare Of this section can dis
regard this element of our population and
reach the highest success. l but convey
to you, Mr.. President and directors, the
sentiment Of the masses of my race when
say that in no way have the value and
manhood of the American negro been
more fittingly and generously recognized
than by the managers of this magnificent
exposition M every stage of its progress.
"Cast Down Your bucket Where You Are."
"a ship lost mt sea for many days sud
denly sighted IA friendly vessel. From the
mast Of the unfortunate vessel was seen
the signal, Water, water; we die OF
thirst" The answer from the friendly
vessel at once came back, Cast down your
bucket where you are A second time
the signal, Water, water, send us water,
ran mp from the distressed vessel, and
was answered, Cast down your bucket
where you are The captain of the dis
trcsscd vessel at last needing the injunc.
ton, east down his bucket and it came up
full of fresh, sparkling water from tho
mouth of the Amazon river. To those of
my race who depend on bcttcring their
condition in n foreign land, or who under
estimate the Importance of cultivatinp
friendly relations with the southern whit.
man who is their next door ncighbor,
would say. Cast down your bucket whcr,
you are-cast il down in making friends in
every manly way Of the people of all races
by whom we are surrounded Cast it down
in agriculture, in mechanics, in com
mcrce, i'm domestic service and in the pro
. fessions.
Same Advice to the Whites.
l. a.
the incoming Of those Of foreign birth and
strange tongues and habits for the pros
pcrity of the south, were l permitted,
would repeat what l say to my own race;
Cast down your bucket where you are.
Cast it down among 100000 negroc:
whose habits you know, whose loyalty
and Low. YOU have tested in days when t.
have proved treachcrous meant ruin o
your ircsides. Cast down your bucket
among these people who have without
strikes and labor wars titled your fields
cleared your forests, buildcd your railroad:
and citc, and brought forth treasure.
from the bowels of the earth and helped
make possible this magnificent representa-
tion of the progress Of the south.
His Promise for His People.
Casting down your bucket among my
people. helping and encouraging them u:
you are doing on these grounds, and to cd
ucation of head, hand and heart, you will
find that they will buy your surplus land
make blossom the waste places in youl
fields and run your factories. While do
ing this you can be sure in the future, a.
you have been in the past, that YOU and
your families will he surrounded by tn,
most patient, faithful law abiding and un
rcscntful people that the world has cyel
seen"