The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-01-09
A GREAT EDUCATIONAL FACTOR
A Few Impressions of Atlanta and
the Exposition.

Correspondence Charlotte Observer.7
Atlanta is a great city; great not
only IN the multitude and diversity OF
Its industries, but great in a primary
sense, in the ambition and progressive
spirit of its citizens. One is struck
with this as soon as he comes here.
How 1t happens that one comes here
In the heart of Georgia, SO unlike the
average Southern city, excites constant
wonder. 1t is true that the great ex-
position has called nultitudes upon
these thoroughfares, but the great
thoroughfares themselves, walled in
by magnificent hotels, banks, newspa-
per edifices, business houses; the fac
tories, foundries, mills, shops and en-
terprlses of every kind-these prove
that Atlanta exists independent of the
exposition; and exists too, endowed
with mighty strength. What other
city South or North, East or West,
for that matter could have called
into existence, in the very face of SO
great an industrial depression, so gi-
gantlc fair and carried it to SO COM
plete conclusion? This is the ques-
ton that arises in the mind of every
thoughtful visitor to Atlanta.
The exposition was an honor not
only to Atlanta and the South, but to
the entire nation; and every loyal
American admres the interchangeable
energy that pushed it to completion.
The country at large, and the South in
particular, will reap large returns from
the investment. People from every
corner of America and from many for
eign lands have attended the exposi-
ton, and have been impressed with
the possibilities and mere with the re-
alities of our Southland. All the
benefcent results from an influx OF
capital must soon be ours.
The exposition must not be regarded
as a success only from an industrial
standpoint; there is no estimating
what it has accomplished as an educa-
ting factor. Thousands of school
children have learned here lessons
that textbooks would have failed to
yield them in lifetime of study.
The railroads have been generous in
making easy rates for sChools-for
everybody, in fact-and SO to them is
to be credited a large share of the
honor with which the great fair closes.
This is especially true of the Seaboard
Air Line, for this we'll ordered system
has been liberal in the extreme, and SO
has induced others to make equally in
viting rates. Many thousands of pas.
sengers have travelled over this popu-
lar line, without the slightest injury to
any one; and all have met from the Of
ficials, despise the unusual stress o.
traffic upon them, that unfailing cour-
tesy for which this line is conspicu-
ously noted.
The management of the exposition
set an example to the world in the mat
ter of Sunday opening that is worthy Of
emulation. Unlike the directors o.
the Chicago Exposition, those at At
lanta never considered the ques-
ton whether or not to keep
open on Sunday. Every Saturday
night the gates were closed and the
peace of the Sabbath reigned through
the grounds which for six days were sc
thronged with people.
Yes: regarded from every point O
view the Atlanta Exposition has beer
an immense success, and those who
failed to attend little know how much
they have missed.
HENRY JEROME SroCKARD.
Atlanta, Ga, Dec. IS, 1905.