The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-05-05
THE STATE EXHIBIT AT ST. LOUIS

Our governor is, with commendable
zeal, applying himself to the difficult
task of securing the requisite supscrlp-
ton to make possible an adequate dis
play by our state at the 81. Louis eA-
position. IL will be remembered that
the last legislature appropriated the
paItry sum of ten thousand dollars tC
this object and attached the condition
that this should be used for this pur-
pose only on condition that the people
of the state subscribed a like amount
To the fund. If the people do not raise
the ten thousand dollars the state sub
scription will not be available. Gov
eFnor Aycock has taken II upon himself
To induce the people to raise this sum
If he fails in his endeavor our state
will not be represented at the exposi-
tion. This would be a great misfor-
tune. All the world will be at St
Louis. The Southern states are here
given an opportunity of displaying their
developed as well as undeveloped re-
sources. A state that is not represent
ed there will suffer for her negligence.
Twenty thousand dollars is not enough
to defray the expenses of our state in
making such display as she should, but
as that is all that We can use We will
have to do the best We can. There is
q possibility, though, that We will not
be able TO raise this sum. II We do not
our state will not be represented at ell.
Governor Aycock cannot be too high
ly commended for his diligence in try
ing to secure the requisite funds for
this display He shows by his action
that he appreciates the Importance of
the state making a good showing and
in mis- endeavors to secure this he should
have the hearty cooperation of the
press. The Messenger wishes him all
success and assures him of its earnest
support. Our state should be represent
ed at St. Louis. 1t is imperative that
back seat in the march Of progress OF
the southern states.
To be represented the people of the
state must come to the governors aid.
They must endorse his plan for a popu-
lar subscription Of ten thousand dol
lars. The governor has by personal
letter made an urgent appeal to thou
sands of people in our state. We gladly
append his letter and hope that its pub
lication in our columns may be the
means to some extent of enabling him
to accomplish his desired end. The
governors letter explaining the situa-
tion and appealing to the people of the
state should be read by every patriotic
North Carolinian. The amount desired
can be raised If the people take the
right view of the states interests. To
Governor Aycoek will be due the credit
OF whatever success we achieve in our
ST. Louis exposition Here is his letter:
Raleigh, n. C, April "a, 1903.
Dear Sir: Owing to a pressing needI
for money for other purposes the gen
eral assembly which has recently ad-
journed failed to make adequate pro-
vision for the North Carolina exhibit
at the Universal Exposition to be heidi
in ST. Louis in 1904. No, one familiar
with the situation questions the impOr-
tance of having the state properly rep
resented at this exposition, and thel
problem now resolves itself into one as
to how the citizens and friends of theI
state may most easily provide for thel
expense OF making such an exhibit.
This exposition will undoubtedly bel
the largest and most important one everl
held in any country and it will be par-I
ticipated in by each of our states and
nearly every foreign country. North
Carolina must join her sister statesI
there. Her past experience shows that
such advertisement of her resources
pays and is d good investment; as al
matter OF state and national pride sheI
must keep her position among the pro-
gressive states; and inasmuch as|
she is asking the aid of the
people of the United States inl
large public improvements which in-l
ing, the great inland waterway of the
east, and the Appalachian Forest re-
serve in her mountain region, North
Carolina cannot afford TO neglect this
invitation of the federal government
that she participate with other states
in this great national and international
for which congress has
provided with such marked Hberality.
Several other states are raising byI
private subscription large fund to
cover the expenses of their exhibits
And the only way by which North Car
olina can now participate in this ex-
position is by adopting a similar course.
I write TO ask your active cooperation
in this undertaking.
with our splendid museum to draw
from largely for the materials to be ex-
hibited; with trained experts in such
matters already in the employ of the
state; and with two of these experts all
ready in charge of imOOrtaOt division