Sparkling Gems of Race Knowledge Worth Reading | Page 8

one hundredth anniversary
of the admission of their State into the Union by holding, at Nashville,
the capital, in 1897, for a period of six months from the 1st day of May,
a great Centennial and International Exposition.
A structure to be known as the
NEGRO BUILDING
will be one of the most attractive in the exposition, and will occupy a
delightful and commanding position on the east bank of Lake Watauga.
The cut on page 28 will give the reader some idea of its magnitude. It is
amply sufficient to accommodate the vast variety of exhibits which the
Afro-American will have to display to the world. The purpose of this
department is to show the progress of our race in the United States
from the old plantation days to the present.

[Illustration: RICHARD HILL, CHIEF.]
This building was erected at a cost of over $12,000, and is the work of
the management, without any solicitation or money from the Negro
himself, which demonstrates an earnest anxiety for our participation in
the event. It is expedient that we respond to the invitation by bringing
forward the very best specimens of our merit and progress--not for the
sake of the temporary praise which our displays may elicit, but for the
more substantial benefits which we hope will follow.
The same capabilities which are in other people exist in us, and only
want ampler avenues afforded for their exercise. We have abiding faith
in the ultimate amelioration of the present conditions by the best
sentiments of the American people. But the influencing of that
sentiment to a more favorable attitude is in ourselves, and is
accomplished more and more as we cause our usefulness to be seen and
appreciated.
We hope that our participation in the great event will contribute largely
toward establishing a feeling of more tolerance and consideration. This
is the key of the aim. If, as we believe, the best impulses of the people
are on the side of struggling humanity, and, when awakened, are easily
moved to its succor, then a creditable display from us is bound to lead
toward this result, both at home and abroad. If the Southern States
afford conditions friendly to its ex-slave element, then there could be
no stronger proof of it than an exhibition of the progress of the Negro
himself. Such an exhibition would not only verify the claims of our
home people, and help displace the stigma which perhaps attaches to
them abroad on the race question, but its effect is bound to extend
further. It elevates us at the same time it elevates them, and creates a
current of good will in the direction of a better understanding.
HISTORY AND OLD RELICS.
It is intended to make this department one of the most attractive
features in the building. All relics of interest that are owned by colored
people are wanted on exhibition. All contributions that will tend toward
completing the history of the race are solicited for exhibition.

We desire to have:
1. Sketches of the faithfulness and devotion of the Negro.
2. Biographical sketches of every Tennessee nonagenarian and
centenarian Negro.
3. A copy of every book, magazine, and paper published and edited by
Negroes.
4. Coins of Negro governments.
5. Stamps of Negro governments.
6. Sketches of Negroes by missionaries.
7. Pottery and utensils used by Negroes everywhere.
8. Sketches and photographs of Negroes prominent in Tennessee
history, or any other State.
9. Records of houses and localities connected with Negroes.
10. Bills of sales, passes, manumittance papers of Negroes, and laws of
cities and states before and since the war, for or against the Negro.
11. Old papers with advertisements of runaway Negroes.
12. Articles on the Negro problem.
13. Relics.
14. The loan of medals awarded by Congress to Negroes for heroism,
also votes of thanks.
15. Histories of slave insurrections.
16. The number of acres of land owned by Negroes, and whether
incumbered or unincumbered.

17. Catalogues of schools owned and officered by Negroes, or schools
where Negroes are being instructed.
DEPARTMENT OF ARTS.
The managers have designated for this department a space sufficient to
show hundreds of pictures and pieces of sculpture. The Art Committee
is now receiving paintings, sculpture, and other works of the highest
quality from owners and artists of the colored race. The high-class
works of art in this department will mark the progress of our education.
MINES AND MINERALS.
We propose to display on a magnificent scale the best specimens of our
workmanship. It is the intention of this department to obtain an exhibit
from the mine or ore bed in which our people are at work, whether it be
coal, slate, marble, fine sand and gravel, ore of iron, copper, tin, zinc,
silver or gold, or any peculiar geological deposit.
[Illustration: