The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-03-11

pose of the Chicago Cotton expositions
They knew that expositions in
in great centres were best means of ad-
vertlsing the resources of any coun-
try. The advanced countries of Eu-
rope realized this. This country had
held several notable expositions. Chi
cago had surpassed in the excellence
of her ex xposition as compared to the
other notable ones. The exposition in
Atlanta was not to be minimized by
any of those referred to. 1t was
marvellous display of the progress of
the southern States. 1t would do
great good to the south. He would
not minimize the effect. 1t was rev.
elation to the southerners themselves
that the south possessed such marvel
Gus resources. The only criticism was
that the people of this great country,
whom it was intended to influence,
were not there-the people of the west
and northwest, the farming classes, the
eastern manufacturing and other in
terests. They would have been there
if it had been in one of the great cen
tres. All could easily see the business
of this criticism. He then gave the
figures, comparing the attendance of
the Atlanta and Chicago expositions.
The purpose of the coming exposi-
ton was to show the people of the
west and northwest the wonderful re-
sources of the south. 1t was also to
show them the marvellous products of
our soil, of our gardens; the diversity
of our agricultural products the city
of Chicago was the place. This was a
labor of love with him. He had no
axe to grind-political or otherwise.
He had reached the conclusion that
there was no area of land anywhere
that God had bestowed upon so many
bounties. No country aoounded in
such resources for agricultural and
mechanical pursuits as the south. In
the period following the war, not
withstanding for nearly.11 years the
southern States were oppressed by
lnisgovernment. they had made long
strides, wonderful progress in devel-
oping their resources. In this respect
no State had accomplished more than
the State of South Carolina. Some
one has said that the south is likely to
oyerdO this business of manufactur.
ing cotton. All should bear in mind
that the cotton would be manufactur-
ed somewhere, and would compete
with our goods. This argument was
fallacy. There was no danger OF over
doing this matter. He contrasted the
number of spindles in the mills of
Spartanburg a few years ago with
those of the present time. He pre-
dicted that we would have. 1000, 600
spindles ere long.
Mr.. Walsh went on to quote the fig.
ures showing the wondrous growth of
the cotton manufacturing industry In
the south in the last 10 years. If it
continued at the present rate for 50
years the south would be manufactur:.
ing half the cotton crop. We need
more money. They say we owe the
New England capitalists something,
and we should not 60 to Chicago to In
vite those people to come in and COM
pete for our territory. He was above
passion and prejudice, but when it
came to inviting capitalists to aid IN
the development of the southern coun-
try he wanted all to come in.
The people of Chicago were doing
all they could. The idea of this ex-
position had taken root in Augusta,
being suggested to some business men
there, and there the movement was
started. They sent to an agent to
Chicago. Then he detailed the pro-
ceedings of the recent conference in
Chicago.
Chicago proposes to furnish the
buildings, the money and manage the
exposition, continuing for 80 days, If
we furnish the exhibits. This was the
personi6cation of generosity.
South Carolina had been most credit
ably--handsomely-r epresen te d
among the exhibits at Atlanta. His
purpose here was to ask them to dupli-
cate that exhibit at Chicago. The ex-
position coming on was in his opinion
the greatest thing ever conceived to
bring about speedy development OF
the south.
New England had made wonderful
progress in manufacturing pursuits.
He remembered when the southern
States did not furnish single Belgian
block. Now, our quarries are furnish
ing all this class of material. We
could build all the public buildings
and pave the streets of the cities of the
whole country. so prolific are our de.
posts of granite. We have sufficient
marble to build the palaces of the
world. He referred to Carolina's mag
ni6cent deposits of phosphates. Then
he contrasted the natural resources of
the New England States. He quoted
with those of the southern States. He
quoted the Hon. VIM. D. Kelly of
Pennsylvania in regard to the bless
ings of climate and resources which
had been showered on the southern
States. Mr.. Kelly said they were in.
comparable. Mr.. Walsh then quoted
Mr.. Edward Atkinson on the same
line. Mr.. Porter the superintendent
of the United States census was also on
record as to the superiority of the south
in the resources for Individual develop
ment. We produce more coal and pig
iron today han the whole country
produced in 1870. We have ever 50
per cent. of the entire forest area of