Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-11-14
THE ATLANTA EXPOSITION.

the pluck and enterprise OF the VIDE
awake citizens of Atlanta will keep it
going it will cost them pile of money.
1t is big bite they have taken, and
we hope they will chew it all right.
The exhibition is modelled somewhat
after the style of the worlds fair at
Chicago, though of course it is not as
extensive as that great enterprise.
The grounds are large and their nat
ural beauty has been greatly enhanced
by the landscape artist. The contain
in all 1856 acres. Two sides are bor-
dered by high terraces, on which are
located some of the most important
buildings and at one end Of which is
the midway" the place of sideshows
and amusements. Broad flights OF
steps lead to the other parts of the
grounds and to beautiful lake upon
which electric launches float about.
The appearance of the exposition from
one of the terraces is really beautiful
the grassy lawns, the shrubbery, the
broad and winding walks, the little
lake and the tastefully decorated build
ings of every size and style combining
to make a harmonious and inspiring
scene.
The government has fine exhibit
in building of its own. Though not
nearly so large as the display at Chi
cago, it is equally satisfactory to the
visitor, for the best of that exhibit has
been brought here and arranged IN the
most attractive style. One section is
devoted to the fisheries, and crowds OF
persons may be seen at any time watch
ing the intensely interesting move
ments of the fnny tribe. Beautiful
rainbow trout, the game black bass
the hideous toadfsh, the scudding tur-
tie, shellfsh and sea anemones, indeed
scores of dsnizens Of fresh and salt
water, were never-ending source OF
amusement as they sported In their ma
tive element.
The building devoted to manufac-
lures and liberal arts is large and hand
some and filled with every sort Of goods,
Many of the articles were on sale, but
it seemed to the writer that business
was rather dull. The minerals and
forestry building was of unique con-
struction, being built Of timbers with
the bark still on. West Virginia Is
represented here by some splendid
specimens of coal, and when the edi-
tors gathered round the big pillars OF
their States chief product they lifted
up their voices with one accord and
sang "The West Virginia Hills. This
building contains instructive and IN
teresting exhibits of the forests and
mines of the south.
Perhaps no building at the EXPOSE
ton has attracted more attention and
caused more comment than the Negro
Building. 1t is 276 feet long by ll2
feet wide. Its architect is negro,
and it was built by negro contractors
with negro labor exclusively. Every
exhibit in it is the work of the colored
people and the attendants in charge
are colored men and women, Of the
attendants some are bright, alert and
capable, and these are mostly mulat-
toes. Others are negroes of unmixed
blood, and as a general thing they
were awkward in their movements
they filled their positions as exhibitors
or explainers of the various products
and manufactures somewhat as they
wore their new store clothes, with a
sort of misfit air. Much has been said
of the wonderful advance of the colored
race as shown in the exhibits of the
Negro Buildings, and nearly all Of
those who have written on this subject
have agreed that the progress In art
and manufactures is very great. Ii
did not so appear to the writer OF tins
article. 1t may be taken for granted
that the exhibits here were the very
work of the race. This best, compared
with the wonderful ingenuity, the COM
pleteness of detail, the absolute per,
lection, the irreproachable good taste
of the products of the white race
seemed almost pitiful in the contrast
1t seemed to be rather the phenomena
work of abnormally developed indl'
viduals rather than the general result
of an advancement in race. Anc
yet the patient strivings of an unfortu
nate people were pathetically plain IL
the attempts to dothe things that more
favored races were doing. The negro
question is still problem in this coun
try, and well worthy the prOfoundes
consideration of an enlightened natioI
of christian people.
The orf huildipo contains man.