Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-23
OLD DOMINION DAY.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PACED

Governor Atkinson. He was too poor
in language TO express his fuil appre-
citation of the encomiums showered upon
Virginia, that State which clngs tender
" around every tendril OF his heart-
After expressing the appreciation OF him-
self and friends OF the cordial hospitality
extended. the Governor said:
IL Is now my privilege to congratulate
Georgia upon the success OF this exposi-
ton, and lay at Atlanta's feet Virginia's
tribute, and for Virginia TO place upon
Atlanta's brow garlands OF honor.
Happy, indeed, was the conception or
the idea from which this Cotton states
and International Exposition sprung. IL
required courage OF the highest order 10
embark In such an enterprise. and energy
unbounded and ability unsurpassed TO
bring II to the perfection which we VIII
ness.
Great was the labor expended. but far
greater has been the success achieved.
But victory was assured from the mo-
ment the work was inaugurated, Tor IL
was the State of Georgia that had taken
in her hand the laboring oars. and this
was an earnest of success. The country
knew her history from the time Ogle-
thorpe planted his foot upon her soil. and
made the Colony refuge for the deserV-
ing. who were suffering persecution I'M
der cruel laws. and attracted to her
borders the sturdy German and reliable
Scotchrfan. laying the foundation Of
strong. vigorous, courageous, energetic
and Industrious population 1t was IA
miliar with her resolute stand In the
struggle for national independence; II
remembered that she sent powder 10 Bos-
ton when the news of the battle OF Lex
ington reached her. that har representa-
tives quickly signed the declaration that
hn inHenpn1-
ent that her sons were as valiant as
any In the bloody ordeal that followed.
and that she promptly ratified the Fede-
raj Constitution when II was sub
mitted to the States. The names of her
statesmen. warriors. orators, editors.
and poets had been engraved upon the
tablets OF the nation. and their devotion
10 her fame and welfare recorded upon
tables imperishable.
Burned deep in the memories of many,
handed down by tradition to all. and
written in never-fsding color with the
pen of the chronicler for each succeed
ing generation TO read. was her noble
bearing in the unfortunate strife of thir-
~ years ago. Glorious was her indomi-
table will in raising herself from the
desolation that marked her every land
scape. when the last buele echo OF
war died away. TO her present high po-
siton OF material wealth and commercial
power. With all these recollections vi
vld, there was no speculation as TO
the result of the undertaking. but
absolute certainty that Georgia would
present an exhibition not only credtable.
but almost unequalled. in this or any
other land.
ATLANTA'S ENERGY AND ENTER
PRISE.
Justice requires me to say that there
was another consideration which added
much to the confidence felt in the attain
ment Of the object in view. Atlanta was
the location Of the enterprise. and she
had given ample evidence that whatso-
ever she wills she does. Her life had been
short. her years had been few. but her
days had been full of wisdom and crown
ed with achievements Intelligent thought.
united action. concentrated purpose. nerve,
and determination had characterized her
movements and acquired for her a repu-
tatlon to be envied. Her people had made
common cause of everything that could
promote her welfare. beautify or adorn
her. If any differences had existed among
them, they were settled In their own
conferences. behind sealed doors. and 10
the world they were all love and charity
toward each other. They had set an ex-
familiar with their character the marvel
lous growth of their city needed no ex-
PLANTATION.
Now Mr.. Chairman, ladies, and gentle
men. az we look around us, what do we
behold? Have Georgia's promise and At
lantas pledge been fulfilled? II there Is
any caviller, let him speak. If there was
a pessimist, let him come; for it may
teach him To take a more cheerful view
of things in the future.
Mind can hardly conceive nor magma
ton fancy "A scene more lovely. inspiring.
and instructive than the panorama before
US. Here are the fruhs Of the field, the
woods of the forest. the treasures Of
the earths recesses. the products of the
furnace. forge. and rolling-mll. the
fabrics and wares OF the factory. the skill
Of the artisan. the triumphs Of art. the
develops nts Of science, and--last though
not least-the handlwork of women. We
find displayed relics of the past linking
the early days Of this republic with their
stirring incidents. 10 the present with It's
blessings arousing patriotism and ma
tionaI pride, and Frightening every eye
with the fire OF love for this our native
or adopted land.
How picturesque are these hills. ex-
quisitely beautiful these lawns and i'm
posing these structures! Nature has done
much In preparing this place but mighty
has been the work of man.
ALL SHOULD VISIT IT.
Mr. Chairman, ladies. and gentlemen,
have often thought that every citizen of
this republic should visit its capital city.
He does not realize what a country he
has until he beholds its strength and
grandeur as displayed in the extent and
splendor of the public buildings that
adorn the city Of "magnifceTt distances"
He does not appreciate the system OF
government under which he lives until
he has seen the working OF 1t In the ex-
ecutive departments. with no jar in the
machnery-everything moving with al
most the precision of the planets.
And now | think no American citizen
should fail to visit this superb exposition.
for 1t would give him a grander concep-
ton than he has ever had Of the i'm
mensity of his countrys resources, diver
sifed interests, and recuperatve power
from disaster. IL he was born and reared
under a southern sun, and had remained
under southern skies, and was old enough
to witness the devastation of these South
ern States thirty years ago, and had seen
little Of them since, as his vision would
sweep over this scene he would scarcely
be able TO dvest himself of the impress
sion that it was all a delusion, and he
was sweetly reposng In the land OF
dreams He would look with amazement
upon the exhibits made by States so
lately swept by fire and sword, with RACED
hillsides, and hoof-bsaten fields, homes
draped in mourning and filled with lamen-
tatlon. granaries empty. fences gone.
plow-shares rusty, farming implements
destroyed. railroads wrecked, capital
swallowed up. suffering and want every
where. and private obligations reaching
beyond all hope of payment. In wonder
ment he would gaze upon these splendid
buildings, teeming with the products OF