The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1897-05-27
N|!lsSSEG'S BlGSHOW
The ccltsnniaiE IMPOSITION Now
or sasso the ub.ic.

OF s1sso the cubic.
Al LOye L''ss3 OF ATTRACTIONS
7hs ssgt e. add what 1t Costs to See
Them--A Description of tie Grounds
and BuIIdings-rbe Ar. Exhibit the fin
est Ever brought 20 the south-Disp,ays
Of the Different states--Address of Pres-
fdsnt j. w. Thomas
Ladies and Gentlemen-On June /.
1896. these grounds and the buildings
erected thereon were dedicated to the
honor and glory of Tennessee. in com.
memoration of all event which trans.
pired on June l., 1896, and as tribute to
the men and women who endured the
hardships and braved the dangers of
frontier life in the wilderness west of
the Alleghanies, that they might found
this great commonwealth.
ssThey loved the banner Of our coun.
f<x. with its little cluster of Is stars;
"A the lapse of 100 years has not i'm
the honor. integrity or patriot.
Ill the people of Tennessee; for we
same banner. with its glorious
yhst6 2ation Of As stars, representing As
foyerelgn states. which together con.
<titute the greatest nation in the world.
eThe objects of this Centennial expo
ition are to commemorate the past.
sent the advantages of the present
inspire hope for the future-the.
the present. the future of Tennes.
objects SO laudible that the enter
izlse has received the approval of the
government of the United States. con.
gress having appropriated $3.50, 900 that
The general government might be prop
erly represented by q grand object les.
son, showing the progress of the nation
during the past 100 years. It has also
been approved by the authorities OF the
state of Tennessee. the Legislature hav-
ing appropriated $4,000 in order that
the history. the products and the re-
sources Of the state might be properly
presented. The county of Davidson and
city of Nashville. realizing the honor
and advantage of having this grand,
centennial jubilee within their borders,s
have donated $780, 900; and other cities,
and states. corporations, firms
and 10000 individuals have augmented
these appropriations and donations until
q grand total of 1000, 600 has been ex.
pended in preparing for this exposition.
"Men in all ages have celebrated
great events by holidays, triumphal
PROFESSIONS, grand festivals and tower
ing monuments, and as Tennessee was
the FIRST state admitted into the Union
formed from territory coded to the gem
eral government. it is appropriate that
we celebrate our centennial anniversary
by having o great exposition. showing
the world that we have kept pace with
our sister states and other nations in
the progress of the age-in all the tri-
umphs and glories Of civilization.
while this celebration is prompted
BY reverence for the past, 1t is also
by desire to so advertise
md proclaim our advantages that thous-
ands from other states and other ma
lions will come to see what we have &C.
and realize the marvellous
wealth of our undeveloped resources.
"The past century has not been one
If continuous peace and prosperity, but
here have been periods of differences
Ind dangers that tried mems souls, yet
here has been more of prosperity than
IF adversely, the improvements Of the
century have been wonderful, and as
we stand upon the vantage ground of
The present and look back to the pioneer
lays Of Tennessee, we are proud Of the
'ecord and achievements of the past,
Ind rejoice in the advantages of the
present, and it Is hoped that the youth
# the land will so study these advan.
ages as illustrated in the grand object
essen Of this exposition, that they will
Do inspired to undertake still greater
and strive toreach perfec-
IONS het4hts which ors resplendent
sith the glories reflected from the etsr.
ial hills whersia dwells the Author OF
III wisdom ami oil power, Who rules
,ver the destinies Of meA and natiQps,
md Whose blessing we invoke updbur
exposition. our state, 60 sss%cy and
lpon the nations of the earth. From
pole to pole. from zone to zone, over
rackless ocean, from land to land, may
he angelic anthem reverberate:
%sory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men"
Tennessee's birthday.
The inspiration of Tennessse's great
exposition, now formally opened to the
public with appropriate ceremonies, is
embodied in the speech of President
Thomas above quoted. 1t has been the
custom of kings and emperors to COM
their achievements by massive
lilies of granite or polished marble shaft;
Byron says "old Cheops built pyramid
o keep his mem'ry whole and mummy
lid" 1t is fitting that great COM
should celebrate its first
birthday by an exhibit of its material
so displayed as to reveal the
culture that is reached only i'll the high.
,st civilization.
The Tennessee Centennial exposition