The age-herald., 1900-10-05
THE EXPOSITION
 IS PAN>AMERICAN
And Is of Great Interest to the People of Alaba bama-Legislature Will be Called
 Upon to Make Appropriation.

B. B. Conner chairman of the Alabama Commissioners to the Pan-American Ex- position at Buffalo, has issued the follow ing address:
 The Pan-American Exposition will con cern itself strictly with the progress of the States and countries of the Western Hemi- sphere and the new possessions of the United States during the nineteenth cen tury. One great object Is to bring into closer relationship, commercially and so- cially, the governments and dependencies of the Western Hemisphere, that the we'll being of all the neighboring people may be promoted.
 It is to be given at Buffalo, N Y. It is said that 100000 people live within twelve hours ride of Buffalo. It Is also sad that they are now the richest people on earth, and that their possible requirements read like Sinbad story. At any rate the Po- tentates of the richest Eastern nations are now, with securities in hand, knocking at the treasure door.
 The United States has throyn the great Monroe doctrine as catholis shield around these pan-American countries, and Uncle Sam has invited them to meet his galaxy of States in a friendly showdown Of meri- torious accomplishments at Buffalo, N. Y., in great exhibition and congress of those things which each has done and hopes to do.
 While Birmingham has been quick to grasp any reliable method to place her ad- vantages and attractions before the world and has in consequence within three dec ades, advanced from a sleepy village to the richest, largest, most progressive city in the State and if we could, like Mem phs, evolute our boundary circles, why then, with perhaps greater ratio Of in crease, We would throw our congratula- tory rejoicing further and higher than they but our State has Jagged in that assertive blow your own horn emblaZon what you have, can, or think you can and will do method that now marks the man or people, who snatch success from every event.
 There is already subscribed to this expo siton $500, 000 The United States govern ment and the great State of New York ask the sisterhood of States to join in the laudable purpose to make the exhibition like King Solomon's court
 IL is an axiom in business that the cus- toners nearest to you are yours by right; that any advantage is sufficient advantage it you will maintain 1t.
 map of the hemisphere will show that Alabama has advantages, the non-mantain- ing of which, would be practically criminal. North of the United States is English America; North of British America is A ska; South of Alabama is the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic; our rivers and railroads run that way, and down that way
 
 whole Pan American country, around which we have thrown the Monroe doctrine, and into which we want to throw American commerce. They all are cotton using coun- tries; agricultural Alabama Is cotton pro- ducing. Will not the farmers of Alabama take this opportunity to make natural cus- toners for their product?
 Will not the cotton manufacturers of Alabama take this opportunity to ingratate their nearest neighbor?
 The natural outlook for Alabama coal and iron Is the nearby ports, and not up the tens of thousands of cross ties that bind us to the competitive territory of the East and West. With the former we have the expiring competition of the old world, with the latter that Spartan conflict that attends internecine strife.
 Then, again, by meeting the sisterhood of States and claspng hands at Buffalo, we become a part of the electric current that would intone the body polite and place us in the advance ranks of that com mercialism which is abroad to conquer or to die.
 Commercialism is the spirit of the age, and 1t is to the interest of every producer, manufacturer or carrier to seize .nis great opportunity to attain that sphere of in- fuence in all American countries to which we are justly entitled by the propinquity of fellowship and touch.
 Why Florence, the Decaturs, Sheffield, 1unISVllle, brluSepOTl, Altdl9, G3CSuen, Anniston, the cities of the Chattahoochee, the Alabama and the Tombigbee and their branches could almost place their com merce on a log and feat 1t 10 them.
 Governor Johnston has appointed Messrs. Sam Blackwell of Decatur R. H. Cobb of Anniston, G. w. Johnston of Uniontown, w N Fitzpatrick of Mobile Judge Beck of Camden, Winston Jones of Mobile and B. B. Conner of Birmingham as commits sioners to represent Alabama at the Buff falo Exposition. At recent meeting of the commissioners in Birmingham MT. B. B. Conner was elected chairman. The com missioners recognized the importance of Alabama should be well represented. It of the press throughout the State in giv- ing the matter wide publicity and en- dorsement; that we urge every citizen, whether in country, village or town, whether farmer business man, manufac- turer or carrier, to unite in placing the product of field, factory and furnace along side the most progressive State and in a most creditable manner; that we meet the Americans to the south of us, where the rivers meet the bay, and with them those around us where the Niagara starts from the lake, We have every assurance from the management that we will be given many opportunities to see the beautiful to utilize the useful, to give and obtain profit.
 At the proper time the General Assembly of Alabama y,ill be called upon to make an appropriation commensurate with this work. Yours very truly,
 B. B. COMER.