The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-03-18

representatives. and the two rm1nen,
members of the Missouri legislature: who
are chairmen of the senate and house
committees on the Louisiana Purchase
Centennial celebration. Those were rep
resentative men Surely-men who appre-
ciated what il meant to Missouri to be
the scene of the display OF the best the
human race has accomplished from the
dawn of civilization or the beginning or
history. They knew that for the i've
years of preparation for that grand ex-
position the eyes of the world would be
turned toward Missouri, and that during
the six months of the life of the EXPOSE
ton Missouri will be the theater where
will be represented the acts in the drama
of civilization, that will illustrate the in
dustrial. the intellectual and the social
advancement of the Christian era. They
knew that for Missouri to be the host of
such an aSsemblage of the worlds elect
as will then congresate here will be an
honor never to be forgotten. ~They-your
Observation-Disclosures fired with an ambi-
ton and a pride (Which | am sure you ap-
prOvet to make the occasion worthy of
50 distinguished a company-to make il
Il credit to the grand commonwealth of
which We are proud to be sons-to make
ii worthy of the state that produce a
Eenton and n Blair. and many other
statesmen and patriots who performed
such important parts in shaping the des-
TIMES of the republic.
That delegation was authorized to
speak for St. Louis, and it did speak in
no uncertain sound. 1t was sorelv tempt
ed To speak for Missouri, because. al
though not authOritatively empowered TO
do 50, it felt confident that the loyal. pro-
SreSStve people of the state would indOrse
ana fulfill any reasonable pledges made
for them toward the contamination of 50
appropriate an achievement.
As representing the Louisiana pur-
haSec convention, held in this city on
January 10 last, composed of delegates
from iourtep states and one territory
which convention has decided TO celebrate
thlS one hundredth anniversary by al I'M
eNcelIed international eXpoSition-the del
egation to Washington asked a loan of
$n.uOo,p00 from the federal government to
ana III the preparation for such Il Celebra-
tl"n: As representing the city of ST.
Louis. the delegation said to the congress
that the people of that city pledged them
selves to raise $40 900. 600 toward such n
celebration. and that the federal govern
mcut could make its loan conditional up
on Eln,WO.HNh being provided by this city
so that the money need not be advanced
by the general government if st. Louis
did not provide $40. 0WD. O0U. The delegation
also assured the OngrcSS that the S.
Vol."9 advanced by the congress would be
repaid in full to the federal treasury be-
fore 81 of the $ld.wHh. G1 furnished hy the
city of st. Louis should be returned TO
the sources from whence it came. The
proposition met with approval and APP
plaUSe. Its fairness was commended. its
iIberality complimented. representatives
and senator's from the purchase uttered
enthusiastic words of encOurag cement. and
themselves and their cOnstitu-
ency to support of the measure. An in
fucntial member from a prosperous state
in the purchase said that if Congress
would not advance 81, 900. 900 for such an
OBJECT on the terms named, his state
would. 1t was at that stage of the pro-
ccedings when We We're almost moved to
speak for grand old Missouri. Ours was
the first in wealth, the first in population,
the first in reSourCcS-dcveloped and un-
devcloprd-of all the great states in the
Louisiana territory. Missouri was the host
of that banquet. Is not Missouri as able
10 advance any cauS" as * Kansas" Is
there not more reason why Missouri
should aid this fair than that any other
stat" in the purchase should do so?
If "" secure : .n06. 0JU from the federal
government. and. in my judgment. W. will
We shan then hav. Sl5."p.~". | do not
Know that We shall r"qIir" more. but
whether we do or not. the people of
Missouri would feel offended if not given
an opportunity I" aid in this great I'M
dcrtlkinG. We are al Interested alike in
the pr"%rcss and welfare Of this common
wealth. and equally jealous Of her fair
fame Such an exposition as we have
planned viii iUfrr to the material benefit
nf tn" state At large. and the success of
the celebration Will reflect credit on every
MiSSDurian.
w" have not invited Won to he or
guests Jp"n this occasion for III" purpose
Of embarrassing YOU by a request To- 10
ANYTHING" Of which your own good iulg-
al"nt docs not approve.
Missouri at n" Worlds fair of l,a?
took IA" Icr"miUluS for In" best general
and most varied exhibit at Omaha she
TOOK NOR" premiums than any o.E.r
state. but at IN exposition held within
HI own borders the exhibit of her min
"Eal and agricultural products will h he
N"na compare. In my opinion. the poo
pa" at this state Will desire a proprietary
interest mihiS Enild-rrnuWn"d exposition.
II will cost them little. and tina little viii
lie c~hccrfUiIy granted. Th" Significance
of the aid-thc goodwill expressed there
Ey-wlll bc of NOR" value to us than aid
itself. We. VINO have been aCtiy" in his
movement. ana have devoted time and
effort to its promotion. have no more nor
less obligation to work in this cause than
has every patriotic MiSSpurian.
W must act together: ii * our inter-
est I" ii" SO, as we'll Us our desire. We
have asked YOU To be our guests. bccauS,
W" desire to know You better and to he
better known by you, believing that sucn
conditions viii increase our mutual re-
Spcct and promote our cOmmo interests"