The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-21
MONDAY. JANUARY q, 1907.
Great works are performed not by
strength, but by perseverancc.-Dr.
Johnson.
The Protest of Prudery.

We mad suspected that much OF IN,
criticism OF the proposed military Al
the jamestown Exposition proceeded
from an evil disposition towards thi.
southern enterprise, and our suspicion
IS greatly strengthened by a spiteful ar.
ticle IN the New York Evening Post, r
which the exposition Is conten7 ptuously
referred TO as the jamestown variety
show"
Why all this ado about the military
display? If there was objection to It,
why not friendly suggestion to the
management instead OF harsh and spite
full criticism ard pharsaical denuncia-
ton? Some OF the critics are saying that
Congress would never have made an np-
propriation had the members known that
the exposition was going to be converted
into military show Nonsense. Mem
hers of Congress and the administration
designed that the main feature OF the ex-
position. SO far as the government was
concerned. Should be !. parade of the ma
fion's warships and there Is reason to
believe that some of the members, at
least, wished their constituents to see the
ships and the forts and the necessity OF
coast defenses, in order to reconcile them
TO our enormous naval expenditures The
administration invited the navies of the
world to take part in the rendezvous,
and the naval display; and the big guns
and brilliant parades at Fort Monroe
will he the real military spectacle" be-
side which the drills at the Exposition
Grounds will be mere side-show. The
federal governmentis responsible for "the
greatest military spectacle the world has
ever seen" and the management of the
Jamestown Exposition are pardonaole
for advertising the fact
Bnt, after all what harm is to be
done? The government had "a great in
ternational naval rendezvous in Hamp-
ton Roads in 1893. and but lately there
was sham attack upon Fort Monroe
by one Of our strongest squadrons. The
newspapers advertised these "spectacles"
far and wide. Why did not the New
York Post and other pacific partisans lift
up their voices and proclaim and protest
on those occasions?
The whole prudish protest is absurd,
and will have no other effect than to make
the protestants ridiculous. We are to have
n great celebration in Virginia. We pro-
pose to open the books of history and
show what has been accomplished in all
directions sinco'llre. republic was born at
jamestown. I.'wsr De primarily an expo
elton Of history. We desire that the peo-
pie from all sections shall come and help
US celebrate and road the pages which
We open. and we are offering them as
many attractions as possible. 1t so hap
pens that the Exposition Grounds are Just
across The water from the largest fort
in the United States, and in sight OF
6egement IN the United States. It is
most appropriate. therefore. that there
should be naval and military exhibit.
and that the battle between the Merrimac
and Monitor should be reproduced, II
VIII all ne an instructive entertainment,
and the visitors will enjoy 1t and profit
By it SO far from having their hearts
fired with war they will be shown the
horrors End terrors OF war, and the whole
exhibit Viii make for peace. AT least 1t |
viii show TO the nations OF tho earth
that We are prepared TO defend orr shores
against foreign invasion.
Let tho Evening Post be pacified and
visit the show, II will at least enjoy the
negro exhibit.
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