The Topeka state journal., 1901-12-07
EXPOSITION WHICH COUNTS

For nearly a week the South Carolina
and West Indies exposition has been
open to the world at Charleston. s. C.
To some it would seem that this show
business is being slightly overdone, but
| there are reasons why the present one
should succeed, and that recommend 1T
to the people of the whole country.
In the first place its great end is to
build up the interests of the only ruler
of the southland, cotton There seems
to be no spot on the globe where this
plant thrives as it does in the southern
| states of America. and the world looks
to that section for much of the fabric
with which to clothe itself. But within
two years. the Oriental trade has been
seriously damaged by the international
difficulties in China Cotton has been a
drug on the market of the east and the
producers have with characteristic far
sightedness and shrewdness determined
to attempt opening UP new marts for
their wares. In the West Indies there is
a demand and in order that those ISL
ands may get in close touch with the
country whence is likely in the future
to come so much of their cotton, it was
decided to interest them in an exposi-
tion, That is one use of the fair at
Charleston, opened a week ago and to
continue during the winter months.
Then there is much to benefit the peo-
pie of a nation who can have something
to draw them out of the old grooves in
which they are accustomed to move
with the least possible resistance and
at the same time with an ever narrow
ing tendency. Think of the broadening
influence which a visit of ten days
would have upon a farmer from the
hills Of New England. Or indeed, a
little closer to the home of the fair it
self. what will it not do for the noun
taineers of that section Of the land
which it is to represent?
Through this exposition too Dixie will
be doing it's part toward the obliteration
of some past events which anything less
than an great exposition in which all
the ends of the nation will be drawn up
together and forced to acquaint them
selves with one another would fail
South Carolina was in slavery times the
hot-bed of secessionism. From it came
the great champion of states rights,
Calhoun and near its shores was fired
the first gun of the great Civil war
against the walls of Fort Sumter. So.
that in this respect, in trying to live
down the past, the South, If really there
be such district of the country any
more, is showing broad and kind
ly spirit which is to rebound to the BEN
eft of that section in years to come.
There are advantages which conduce
to swelling the attendance at this fair
Generally over this portion of the west
ern hemisphere there have been abund-
ant crops, money is circulating freely.
and everybody feels good Northerners
have an inducement in going down to
Charleston where the climate is salu-
brious. A few days only spent in
city of the South would make the long
severe cold of the Northern winter
much more bearable. Railroad rates
will be cheap and living in that city
should be at figure which most peo-
pie could afford
Congress failed to render any assist
ance to this enterprise, but it is hoped
that the management. with the aid or
the resourceful citizens of that country
will surprise the United States and the
world by showing them that even If
they receive no help from the general
government the enterprise can still be
put through and brought to a success
in every way.