The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-07
0'NEAl AND ExUM GREATLY PLEASED
 WITH STATE FAIR
Both Think It Will Stir Pride of Every Citizen of
 Alabama
MADE FINE SHOWING IN
 SPITE OF THE WEATHER
Mayor ExIm Hopes the State Will Be so Impressed By Fair That Perma- nenl State Aid VIII Be Given
 to the Association

The ran prevented the formal opening
 of the geat Alabama State Fair, but il | did not dampen the enthusiasm of the
 men wJo had been chosen to make the
 opening speeches. Col. Emmet oNeal, Alabaua's next governor, and Mayor Gull
 peppe1 Exum. who represented state
 and dty in the opening of Alabama S
 greatst fair, spent the time allotted for
 theirspeeches in examining the fair and
 the Nhibit buildings.
 | Sof enthusiastic were they that they
 not tlonly indorsed the fair in stirring
 wods, but gave the reporter the benefit
 of the ideas which they had prepared. Cdonel oNeal reviewed the record of | Alabama brawn and energy which made | sch wonderful exposition possible, l ad Mayor Exum. after congratulating | ae fair management upon its great tri- imph. urged the people of Birmingham lfo patronize the fair and place their ap- proval upon its worth.
 O'Neal Talks Of Fairs Worth
 q am deeply grateful, said Colonel ONeal, flor the honor due me by the invitation to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Alabama State Fair. The magnitude and the variety of the exhibits and the splendid display of the resources of our state, as well as the traction which could interest and enter tain the people, is but another evidence of that indomitable energy, of that in- telligent enterprise, of that business skill and that spirit of cooperation and abso- lute confidence in the superior advan- tages of our section to which we owe the marvellous growth and industrial de- velopment of this wonderful city.
 "The splendid record which has been made in the past 10 years. the unpre- cedented growth by which Birmingham assumes her place as one of the great cities of the country, can but inspire every patriotic Alabamian with renewed pride in his state and increasing conf1- dence in a future so radiant with prom ise. The growth of Birmingham, Att lanta and other southern cities. and the remarkable progress made in every field of industrial enterprise is our triumphant answer to the charge that the people of the south are lacking in energy, in busi- ness capacity and skill. and in intelli- gent, active and successful business man. agement.
 Under Adverse Conditions
 Birmingham made her fight under many adverse conditions. The people of this city faced epidemics. panics, indus trial depression. the croak of the pessi- mist, and the despairing cry of the skep- tic, and without losing heart or faith in the magnificent resources of this city and section, bravely struggled on, never or faltering when all around lowered the dark clouds of diversity until from the unwilling capitalists of the country had been forced tardy rec ognition of the unequalled resources of this section. and until there had been laid deep the foundation of new industrial south.
 "In our struggle for industrial devel- opment and material wealth, 1t Is pleas ing to know that we owe our success not to an unjust and indefensble system of tariff taxation, which uses the law-mak- ing power of the United States to multi ply the wealth of favored beneficiaries which increases the cost of living, and which intrenches avarice. greed, cupidity, and arrogant monopoly in the control of the greatest market place ever given to the children of men.
 we have gained our present vantage ground not through the aid, but in spite of the grievous burdens imposed upon our people by the high protective policy that now prevails under a republican adminis- tration. I congratulate the people of Bir- mingham that this progress and develop ment was only made possible by the wise rule of the great party which since 1874 has controlled the destinies of the state, and which has given our people peace. security and all the blessings of good government.
 Is an Object Lesson
 This great exposition is an object les son and a survey of its exhibits can but stimulate and encourage our faith in the wonderful mineral. timber and agricul- tural wealth of our state. It can but con- vince the most skeptical that notwith- standing our unprecedented mineral de- velopment. that it is upon brawn, the brain. the industry and the intelligence of our great farming class, who apply to agriculture the same scientific and tech nical knowledge you apply to your. great manufacturing establishments that we must chiefly rely for our industrial and commercial supremacy and for the solu- tion of the grave problems which our in- creasing population creates in reference to the food supply of the future.
 That such expositions as this encour- age and stimulate agriculture and i'm proved methods of farming and stock breeding, that they cultivate that friend- ly association so essential to progress and advancement no one may truthfully deny. That the fair association may continue for many years to perform It's benificent work in encouraging. increas- ing and stimulating the efforts of our people in every field of industrial enter prise Is the earnest hope of every man