We publish only a sketch of the plans and purposes of the great exposition to be held at
Richmond, Virginia, in the spring of 1915, the opening day of which will be the 4th of July
celebration. President Wilson will be invited to touch the button opening the said exposition.
But the work for the promotion of the exposition is going on in full force; agents are being sent
to various sections of the country in interest of the work; thousands of letters are sent out weekly
and a strong force of stenographers are now at work in the headquarters, 511 N. 2nd Street,
Richmond, Va.
Giles B. Jackson, president of the association having in charge this exposition, recently
visited the National Baptist Convention, at Philadelphia, which was attended by over 12,000
preachers representing every State in the Union. Col. Jackon addressed this convention on the
10th of September, before whom he outlined the plans of the exposition and made a directory of
the members of the convention to whom he will communicate from time to time seeking their aid
and support to the great exposition.
A great deal has been said and written by both white and colored, and especially by the white
daily papers, who are giving their aid and support to the promotion of ths great enterprise.
Congress took notice of the great work of Col. Jackson in his effort to bring about this
exposition, as result of which a bill was introduced by Senator Martin, of Virginia,
appropriating $55,000 to aid him in his laudable endeavor. A debate, participated in by
several senators, took place, after which the bill was passed by unanimous consent.
Senator Vardaman, of Mississippi, voted for its passage. The money thus appropriated is now
on deposit at the American National Bank at Richmond, Virginia, to be expended for the purpose
for which is was appropriated. The speeches from the senators on this occasion appear elsewhere
in this paper, which will show that the colored man yet has a friend in high places.
Many questions asked as to how Col. Giles B. Jackson secured the appropriation of $55,000
from the Government of the United States.
Now, in order to answer these inquiries, we are producing the several correspondence had
between Col. Jackson and those in authority at Washington, and the communications of Governor
Stuart, ofVirginia, whose aid Col. Jackson had secured in his efort to get the appropriation.
These communications are only a few of the many that passes between Col. Jackson and the
several members of Congress. They are produced, however, to show the one man in the person of
Giles B. Jackson, single-handedly, secured the appropriation. Yet, this is nothing new, as the
said Giles B. Jackson, absolutely single-handed, secured and appropriation of $100,000 in 1906,
to aid in promoting the great Negro exhibit at the Jamestown Exposition, which was pronounced
by all who saw it to be the greatest production of Negro enterprise. The tens of thousands
who visited this exposition came away singing the praise of the Negro because of this great
exposition. The result of which changed the attitude of thousands of white people toward the
Negro, and so stimulated and encouraged the members of our race that they, too, were loud in
their praise of the exhibit and of Col. Giles B. Jackson who brought it about.
Col. Jackson's appearance before Congress, by himself, in his effort to get this $100,000,
was regarded bysome as a futile effort, others laughed at the idea and discouraged him, but he
persisted that he had a cause that deserved consideration, and pressed his claim before Congress
of the United States.
President Roosevelt was so impressed with the tenacity, push and perseverence of Col. Giles
B. Jackson, that he told his friends that Jackson should not be discouraged and should receive
the appropriation he asked for. On occasion of President Roosevelt's visit to Virginia, he called
at the office of Col. Giles B. Jackson and made a speech commending him to his colored brethren
and to the people of Virginia. It was the talk of the town, yes, the talk of the country, that
President Roosevelt had called on Giles B. Jackson at his office in Richmond and delivered an
address to the people of the country, through Col. Jackson. These are facts and go down in
history; hence, we take this occasion to mention them to show the people the kind of man who is
now at the head of the great Negro exposition and celebration in commemoration of the 50th
anniversary of the emancipation, and achievements of the Negro of this country, which takes
place at Richmond, Virginia, commencing on the 4th day of July, 1915, and ending on the 4th day
of August, 1915.
The Negro Exposition endorsed and reccomended by Governor William Hodges Mann by a special
message to the
which is as follows:
About the first of December last, I had presented to me by four prominent colored citizens
of Richmond, a report of three expositions held by colored people and at which they made a
great showing. One of these expositions was held in New York, to which the State contributed
$25,000.00; one was held at Atlantic City, to which New Jersey contributed $25,000.00, and one
at Philadelphia, to which the State of Pennsylvania contributed $95,000.00. The report goes on
to say: "After consultation among ourselves, we feel that this is an opportune time for the Negro
of Virginia to hold an industrial exposition and place upon exhibit their agricultural, mechanical
and education products and acheivements of the race within the last fifty years. Such an
exhibit would be an opportunity for the white people of Virginia, who have aided us in every
worthy undertaking, to see what we have done and are doing in the solution of the so-called
'problem.' It would bring tens of thousands of our own race to Virginia to aid in this
commemoration. It would attract thousands of white people from the North and West, who have
never known the peculiar and satisfactory relations that exist between the white and colored race
in Virginia. It would show to the world how the Negroes have prospered under our institutions.
It would stimulate and encourage the shiftless Negro to imitate those of his race who are doing
something. It would show the possibilities of the Negro in Virginia. It would encourage the
younger generation to imitate those who are succeeding. It would encourage some of our white
friends who have become discouraged at seeing the weak side of our race, as evidenced by the acts
of the lawless and shiftless element of our race in Virginia. We feel that if the Northern States
who have only a small per cent of the Negro population were willing to make an appropriation to
aid this small per cent of population, that merely asking the Legislature of Virginia for
an appropriation to enable their colored people to hold an exhibition would be sufficient.
"We, therefore, most respectfully petition your Excellency, and through you, the Legislature
of Virginia at its next session, for an appropriation of $25,000 to aid the Negro of Virginia
in holding an exposition at richmond, in commemoration of their achievements within the last
fifty years. we would ask that if our proposition met with your approval, that you would
reccomend to the Legislature an appropriation to enable us to make a success of this
undertaking."
I think the purpose manifested in the papers submitted and the ambition on the part of
the colored people of Virginia to equal, if not surpass, the acheivements of their race in the
States named, should, and I trust will, incline the General Assembly to consider favorably their
request for an appropriation to aid them in holding an exposition ar Richmond in the near future.
WILLIAM HODGES MANN
Governor