The Washington herald., 1907-07-01
The Jamestown Exposition.

Editor The Washington Herald:
Recent articles in newspapers and mag
azincs. and speeches by private indi-
riduals. condemning the jamestown EX-
position. cause me to ask these two
questions and 10 express my opinion Of
them.
First-Are we patriots?
Sacond-Have We no pride2
And 7 find myself compelled to say,
alas. no, We are not patriots-we have
no pride-no sclf-respect for our country,
for which our ancestors Of old were
famed We act like Il mob Of infuriated
beasts. each looking out for himself and
his welfare only. each growing more
susceptible, day by day. to the great
American craze-money; each critiCising
and condemning the works Of others. We
are patriots no more; our supply of
pride and respect for our country is eX-
hausted We are merely a mob Of jeal-
GUS individuals. each looking out for the
opportunity to down his fellow-man.
On every side we hear men condemn
ing the Jamestown Exposition. Even
some newspapers have taken part. They
ridicule the idea that the exposition viii
ever be a success, and print insulting and
hooking editorials relative 10 the general
conditions OF the grounds &c. One paper
went so far as to suggest that the Presi-
dent recall the army and navy forces.
as they We're being made a free show -
the expense Of the national government.
Do these Illustrations appeal 10 you as
coming from men who pose as patriots.
and who are endeavOring. through the
aid of the press. to stand for the better
ment and advancement Of the country?
No To read such things is absolutely
disgusting and humiliating 10 every true
citizen Of the United States. and espe-
Cially 70 those Of the South. The hope
and pride Of the Southern people are
based upon the result Of the jamestown
Exposition.
The Chicago and St Louis fairs were
postponed each for one year James
town was open a month ahead Of time.
The Chicago Fair was held I'm a city
with a million and n half inhabitants.
in a State whose total population was
nearly four millions. That at St Louis
was held under practically the same cir
cumstances. The jamestown Exposition
is being held under most discour-
aging circumstances in city whose
population is scarcely 75.000; in a State
whose total number Of inhabitants IS not
two millions. The work on jamestown
was handicapped by bad weather, for
such spring as the past has seldom
been witnessed. Congress delayed It's
completion through its failure to pass the
bill making the government appropria-
tons until late. And yet, with all of
these discouraKing difficulties to contend
with, and In the face of taunts and dis
couragement from yellow newspapers, the
jamestown Exposition is in fact rounding
into completeness and when the ma
chinery is put out Of motion next No
vember, 1t will go down in the history
Of the nation as one of the most pro-
gressive. historical and successful ex-
positions ever inauguTated
With the cooperation Of the people
the jamestown Exposition viii reach the
stage Of success. 50 let It receive our
heartiest Endorsement. and let us CO.
operate with the old State Of Virginia in
carrying out the plan of celebrating the
birth Of this mighty nation in the spirit
and the way II should be done.
A. L. HAYES.
Washington D. c