The Denver star., 1915-08-14
President Wilson Issues Proclamation
Commanding Progress Of Our Race.
py N. BARNETT DoDsoN.

Richmond, Va.-With lively music,
enthusiastic crowds. beautiful decora
tions and the stars and stripes waving
q hearty welcome, the Virginia State
and National exposition to show the
achievements Of the Negro race since
1865 was formally opened in this city
on Monday, July ). The exposition
will continue until July %. which gives
ample opportunity for the most critical
and thorough inspection Of the great
mass Of exhibits from most all parts
Of the state and country generally.
The Hon. Giles B. Jackson, head of
the commission and president Of the
Negro Historical association, under
whose auspices the exposition is being
held, was all smiles on the opening
day, when, according to program. six
bands Of music arrived on time and
two others reported as on the way.
Mr. Jackson has done well in staging
the greatest public exhibit of race
progress the state has ever witnessed.
GrdAt credit is also due his associates
on the commission, who have stood
Loyalty by the president in working out
the many intricate problems connect
ed with the mammoth celebration OF
fifty years OF race struggle and achieve
ment in the United States.
The exhibits from out of town which
attracted the crowds the first day were
the following: Those from the Manas-
sas Industrial school, Henrico Public
school, Richmond public schools. st.
Pauls Normal and Industrial school.
Lawrenceville; Virginia School For the
Deaf and Blind. Newport News; Man
ual Training school, Hagerstown, Md;
State School For Negro Deaf, Raleigh,
N. c.; Shaw university, Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts,, American Tobacco
company, st. Emma Industrial and Ag-
ricnltural college, Rock Castle, Va;
two art galleries, representing the
work OF colored artists throughout the
country; historical exhibition, showing
the Negr0's progress in historical re-
search, and many others.
The exhibits are basket work, wag-
Ons, buggies, steel tools, polished woods
and almost every imaginable thing.
The women have a department all to
themselves, and they have on display
by hand and with needle.
To show his personal interest in the
exposition and that of the national
government President Wilson has is
sued the following proclamation
"a national exposition in commemo-
ration OF the achievements of the Ne
gro race during the last fifty years Will
be held in Richmond, Va, from July
5 to 27, 1915. The occasion has been
recognized as of national importance
by congress through an appropriation
of $55,O 600 to aid in its promotion and
, consummation. This sum is being ex-
| pended, by the terms of the appropriA-
ton, under the direction Of the COVER
nor of Virginia.
"The exposition is under the auspices
Of the Negro Historical and Industrial
association. The action Of congress In
this matter indicates very happily the
desire of the nation as well as of the
people Of Virginia to encourage the.
Negro In his efforts to solve his indus
trial problem.
1.-THE National Negro exposition is de-
signed to demonstrate his progress In
the last fifty years and 70 emphasise
hts opportunities. As president OF the
| United States bespeak the active In
terest Of the nation in the exposition
and trust that every facility will he ex-
tended to the leaders whose earpoUt
work has made the undertaking posgj-
ble."