New Orleans Exposition by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1885

New Orleans Exposition.

By Editor

It is a pleasing phase of the workings of the human mind that we easily believe that others will be interested in that in which we take an interest. Being so well acquainted with the productions and resources of the Northern States, and our time in the Exposition being so limited, we did not take the same pains to note their exhibits that we did those of the Southern States. Another reason for this is that the South is in a transition state; by the abolition of slavery, and the consequent introduction of new methods of development, the South is attracting more attention than was ever given to it before. We were somewhat surprised to see the evidence of its abundant resources, though some of the exhibits were not fully open—a circumstance which we much regretted. This seemed to be the case with

VIRGINIA.

Either its exhibit was not prepared, or we visited the space allotted to it in an unfortunate hour, for most of the articles were not in view. But beside some productions of the soil, we saw good exhibits of iron, asbestos, ochre, building stones, marble, etc. We judged from what we could see and what was nearly concealed, that the show of various ores from Virginia was highly creditable to the State.

NORTH CAROLINA.

In ores North Carolina was represented by iron, copper, gold, and also coal. Fruit, good; but it must in all cases be borne in mind that the season was not favorable to a show of a great variety of fruits to advantage. Its grains were excellent, with a fine exhibit of manufactured goods and silk. Tobacco, of course, of the quality of which we are happily no judge. There was a good display of building material, such as fine mottled stones, granite, and marble.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

This State had a rich display of fine woods, and also of cotton, both raw and manufactured. A variety of building stones, granite, and marble. She also presented good fruits and excellent grain. But her special show was of phosphates, which were mined last year to the amount in value of $2,500,000.

GEORGIA.

This State exhibited what we naturally looked for from North Carolina—a turpentine still. We know that that State produces turpentine largely. In stones the specialty of Georgia was fine limestone, iron ore, and asbestos. Her cotton exhibit was especially good. We turned away from this State in disappointment because there were so few of her productions ready for exhibition.

ALABAMA.

This State also presented a good exhibit of building materials, both in stones and woods. Her specimens of southern pine were fine and attractive; also of cedar, of which she had a large display of goods. Her show of productions of the soil were mainly cotton, grass, and corn. Her manufacturing facilities were shown by her iron and coal.

MISSISSIPPI.

Mississippi seemed to especially pride herself on her woods, of which she made a creditable display. With a great variety of polished woods she had specimens of large ash, sweet pecan, sweet gum, chestnut-oak, many other kinds of oak, and the largest yellow poplar that we ever saw. Her display of nuts was corresponding to her variety of woods. Her productions were mainly shown in cotton, wool, and silk. One could readily judge that she has a rich soil, and that her resources are varied and great.

LOUISIANA.

The timber display of this State was good; also of stones, with iron and salt. She was not lacking in variety of productions, showing good grain and vegetables. But her best displays were of sugar, rice, cotton, and silks. She prides herself, as might be expected, in her cotton, as was evinced by her ingenious exhibition of "King Cotton and his beloved Louisiana," a household scene of a man and his spouse, with a kitten playing with a ball of cotton, and the dog watching her, every whit of which was made of cotton, mainly of "batting."

KENTUCKY.

The display of coal was excellent—we may say, unexpectedly good. But her fine show of grasses was just what we did expect from this State. Of hemp we can say the same. Her exhibit of grains was good; and in woods she scarcely came behind any. In all cases we have omitted the mention of liquors, and only wish they were omitted from the list of productions.

TENNESSEE.

The show of woods from Tennessee was excellent, but unfortunately they were not properly labeled. Iron ore and coal were good exhibits, but the display in marbles was particularly good. Fruit, fair, but grain good, especially corn. A good show of cotton, and also silk. This State offers great inducements to those who wish to go South, both in her productions, and her facilities for manufacturing.

FLORIDA.

Florida presented a fine exhibit of grain and fabrics. Her show of woods was also good. But her specialty seems to be fruits, such as oranges and lemons. We saw also specimens of the date palm, which we learned is cultivated there.

ARKANSAS.

This State took us by surprise by the extent and variety of its natural and labor productions. A good display of woods, with trees of great size; as specimens: Cypress, five feet in diameter; Osage orange, three feet; red gum, five feet; sassafras, over four feet. Coal, zinc, soap-stone, granite, and variegated marble; a good show of grains, with the largest ear of corn we ever saw. Fruit, first-class; cotton and silk. Her motto presented with this display was: "We want more people." If she can present satisfactory advantages of climate she ought to attract more people.

TEXAS.

The display of this State went most largely into fancy articles. Fruit, fair to good; the same of grain. Her natural productions shown were woods, which were good, fine stones, marble, and coal. Wool and cotton were largely produced. Texas is the largest State in the Union, and has an immense area of unimproved territory.

The Territories were most largely represented by minerals, though, by means of irrigation, they were enabled to present enormous specimens of vegetables. Dakota of course was rich in grains, of which Idaho and Wyoming also made a good showing; the latter has a wealth of coal. Besides her minerals, Arizona presented fine specimens of her cotton. If artesian wells can be successfully made in Arizona, that Territory could develop great resources. New Mexico had a large variety of ores, and a good show of both fruits and grains. The exhibit of Washington was principally of woods, ores, and grains. The Pacific Coast was well represented; Oregon had a fine display of woods, minerals, vegetables, grains, and fruits. But in the California exhibit the visitor is almost lost; her wide range of climate produces almost everything that can be produced anywhere except under the equator. The exhibit of California and Nevada was largely due to the efforts of the Central Pacific Railroad; but Colonel Andrews, the Commissioner for this State, has just procured an appropriation by the Legislature of $10,000 to have the State yet more worthily represented.

Of the Eastern States we were particularly struck with the exhibit of Pennsylvania. The excellency of her fruits, vegetables, and grains, and the great variety of her manufactures, make her conspicuous among all the States. Michigan was creditably represented by her woods, fruits, grains, vegetables, ores, salt, etc. Of the private displays none equaled hers; the Grand Rapids Furniture Company occupy a respectable building of their own, and Mr. D. B. Harrington, of Mason, Ingham County, Mich., had a potato exhibit of over six hundred and fifty choice varieties! Those States which irrigate produce much larger potatoes, but no one can produce better than are abundantly raised in Michigan.

Some of the displays were models of taste and art. The name of "Kansas" in wheat straws and heads attracted much attention; while Nebraska presented a rival to "King Cotton," in her exhibition of corn. Within a triumphal arch made of ears of corn, was a circle made of alternate colors of kernels of corn within which was a manly looking head and face, surmounted with a crown, all wrought with corn kernels, and, above all, the motto: "Corn is King." It was much admired.

The reader must bear in mind that we have but glanced at the exhibits of some of the States, and in the Government Building only. The Main Building was filled with private enterprises, which showed yet more strongly the resources of the States from which they came. Here was carried on the whole process of cotton manufacturing, with very many like interests. And a greater display of fruits than the State exhibits contained was found in Horticultural Hall. We were not before aware that silk is so extensively produced in the United States as is shown in this Exposition.

Another thing impressed us strongly. The people of the North who wish to escape the rigors of the Northern winters need not go so far as California to seek homes. In Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and other States of the South, they will find a climate as mild as they will desire, and better chances to get good land than can be found in California. Land that can be profitably cultivated without irrigation, or that which has the benefit of irrigation, commands a good price, often a very high price, in California.

To those who wish to visit the Exposition in New Orleans, who have command of their time, we would say, Go in the months of April and May. The whole country will present a more attractive appearance when spring is fully opened, and the exhibits will be sure to be in readiness. It has been a great detriment to the exhibition that the work of preparation was so far behind the time of the opening. And this will probably not be completely remedied before the month of March. But go when you will, you cannot fail to be impressed with the wonderful resources of this wonderful country. God has greatly blessed this land; but the gratitude of the people is not shown by their regard for his authority, or by obedience to his requirements. They worship the creature more than the Creator. And while they pride themselves with the blessings of divine Providence and boast of the work of their hands, they are not preparing for that day when God shall bring every work into judgment. May the Lord in mercy send forth his light and his truth, and give an earnest seal that is according to knowledge to his people to whom he has committed the work of warning the world of impending judgments.