Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1902-02-06

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To the Editor Of the Beacon:
Dear Sir:-As former residents
of Maryland. the undersigned have
been appointed an Auxiliary Com
mittee to represent our native State,
and to cooperate In the promotion
of Maryland s participation in the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition at
St Louis in 1903.
The scope Of the work of the Com
mittee is to aid in securing an ap-
preparation for State building and
an exhibit, and to act with the State
officials in making the exhibit as
comprehensive as possible. and in
facilitating in every way possible
the work by means best suited TO
the conditions 10 be met.
The magnitude of .he Exposition
may be best judged by few facts
and figures contained in the accom-
panying circular.
Little need be said of the historic
significance of this Exposition. If
all else that Thomas jefferson did
were wiped out, the great act of
craftsmanship in the peaceful acqui-
sition of the Louisiana territory
would immortalize him.
In his special message. President
Jefferson S words were: 'On this
important acquisition, which adds
to our country territories so exten-
sive and fertile, and to our citizens,
near brethren, to partake of the
blessings of freedom and self-gov-
ernment, | offer to Congress and
the country my sincere congratula-
tions.
How much greater cause have we
for congratulation after the expert
ence OF a century, during which
time there have been carved out of
the purchase twelve States and two
territories, with population of
20, ,OO0, 900, among the most thrifty
and enterprising people, of the globe,
whose wealth is estimated at twenty
billion dollars, and the annual pro-
ducts of which aggregate $1,000
OO0, 600.
In the light of these facts the late
President Mckinley, in issuing his
proclamation inviting all the nations
of the earth TO take part in the COM
memoration, aptly speaks of it as
An event of great interest 20 the
United States and of abiding effect
on their development. President
Roosevelt, in his annual message,
says: 1T is one of the three or
four great landmarks in our history,
the great turning point in our de-
velopment 1t is eminently fitting
that all of our people should join
with the heartiest good will in CON-
memorating il. F"
Outside of the benefits to the State
in the exhibit of her material re-
sources, which will surely attract
capital To develop the same, there
are strong historical and sentimen-
tai considerations why Maryland
should take official part in this CEN
tennial Many of the States have
already taken action. headed by
Missouri, which has made an ap-
preparation of $1,000, 900.
The Legislatures which will meet
this Winter in fourteen States, have.
through their leading men, indicated
their intention OF being represented
upon a most liberal scale. Georgia,
the FIRST tomeet, already has provid.
ed for an exhibit, the total cost oi
which will be about sl50, 900.
Without wishing to dictate, it has
been suggested that the Maryland
Building should be a reproduction
of one OF her many historic struc
lures. Whatever the model Of the
building may be, no argument seems
necessary to insure upon the part
of the old Common wealth some ap-
propriate building upon the grounds
as q meeting place for the thousands
OF her children scattered over the
length and breadth of this country,
and as an evidence Of her deep in.
terest in the celebration of an event
which marks the stateliest epoch in
the country's history.