Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-05-17
Scope and Purpose of the jamestown Elk
position,

The traveller who may be ascending the
sluggish waters OF the James river in
search Of the wealth of historic associa-
lions with which its banks abound. after
he has covered some thirty miles Of his
journey, and unless some timely infor-
mant be at hand. will be apt to overlool,
a stretch Of shore which, scarcely lifting
its uninteresting level above the waters
OF the river has little to break its mono
tony beyond an irregular clump of crees.
scarce hidden within which he will on
closer inspection. should his curiosity be
so far aroused, discern the dark red and
green walls of an UNCOVERED tower
Desolate, remote, and largely sedge- COW
cred this little island affords the passing
traveller virtually no suggestion that II
holds all chat is left OF the crumbling
walls and scattered graves of the town
ana people Of James town-the first CO.
loual settlement in America II needs a
creative ina ginaton 10 realize thar here
was witnessed the beginnings OF a ma
uon, which To-Day, after the lapse Of
three brief centuries, numbers eighty
millions Of people, and believes. not with
out cause that it is destined to become
AT Ieast IN material resources and mate
earth.
The sponsors of the jamestown exno-
sition are to be congratulated on Tho
Judgment and good taste with which thev
nave determined the scope and charac-
terlsucs or the enterprise. With the
memories or the colossal Louisiana pur-
chase exposition a st. Louis fresh in tba
minds Of the people It would have been
ioiIy TO attempt to rival that over-big
anair in the size Of its buildings and tbe
number of its exhibits. Magnificent
though 1t was, the st. Louis fair was bie
70 the point of burdensomeness and bore
dom. 1t was a reductio ad absurdum of
Ia
the valuable lesson that future exnosil
IONS should aim to he intensive rather
man interminable distinctive rather than
discursve '''''''
Ihe jamestown exposition will be both
intensive ana distinctive. II aims at his
torlcal and educational results: the one
being secured largely by the Character ~
the buildings, the other by a careful se-
lection OF the exhibits which thew vii,
mouse. In searching for a fitting meons
10 embody those spectacular effects which
nave come to be regarded as an essen
tlal, ana by many people, alas! as the
most desirable, feature of a great aN
position, the management have ovotIa5
themselves of the fine opportunity pre-
scented by the waters OF Hampton Roads
and have arranged for an Internal ioroi
display OF the naval forces Of the world
winch, II 1t does not rival in extent viii
possibly exceed in interest. anv nre,,io,,s
pageant Of the kind '''us
The jamestown exposition is essen
lally a display of the peaceful arts.
hehce. II Is peculiarly fitting that its most
imposing feature should consist ~ n
gathering Of battleships and cruisers
those stately patrolmen of the high seas
whose day-by-day duty 1t is to nreserve
me peace Of the world and render the
ocean hlghways secure; whose activities
are mainly concerned in the nrornotto,' 80
international peace; and whose naci6c
purpose Is never so clearly manifesta6
as IN ap international review OF the Eind
James river. Vi the