University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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4. 4- 4 , ' l g 1 ' l ' K ' 4 ' T535 l' l f . ll. .li H1 4 P Fiiifiiz-m ills. . I I - X I - ,..1-, ..... . 1' Zi! i, x, 5-ll, 2.44 3 1 . l ' , f .. Ei . ef- ' - I , V , u , .L L Y,v, , iw L' .3 H .' ' if iv ' if .Li QC -it is ' li -Q .Al 1 a l . - . D G., LL:-MW-JA!!-V rv 4. 'ma . my F H ith! Q U' ,ah N.. -Gfffzz Z ' Qgxk -' ' Lf ..... ' I 'ii Mississippi Building Uhr Qlrntrnnial VERY patriotic Mississippian delights in the history and development of his State. A century of growth and prosperity has brought us face to face with marvelous changes. Under the di- rection of inspired leadership and loyal support we have witnessed and enjoyed manifold progress. A wilderness of waste has been con- verted into attractive areas of valuable resources, Indian huts and mounds have been replaced by churches, schools, and colleges, and the Red Man of strife has been supplanted by a civilization of peace and happiness. It is this same spirit of loyalty and inspiration that is bringing us to the eve of a great anniversary celebration of our statehood. On December 10, 1917, Mississippi will pub- licly proclaim her One Hundredth Birthday and invite the world to share in the joys and festivities she has so liberally prepared. The initial step toward this occasion was taken when the Legislature of 1912 passed an act providing for a Centennial Exposition, and designating Gulfport as the location for the site. In December, 1915, the people of this wide-awake and patriotic town issued bonds to the sum of 31251100 for the support of this celebration, which donation was later reinforced with equal amounts from Harrison County and the State Legislature. The site for the Exposition is an ideal plot located in an ideal place. The Grounds embrace 146 acres of land stretching 1900 feet along the waters of the Gulf. Stately palms, magnolias, and moss-covered oaks, overlooking the sunlit beach and crested waves give a beautiful background of natural scenery. Among these giant trees will tower magnificent buildings, permanent in their beauty and structure. The whole setting, landscaped into a picturesque park, will suggest a scene similar, but not second, to the famous Exposition Grounds of 1915 that overlooked the Golden Gate of the West. We must think of the significance of this Celebration, not as local but national in its bearing. Our Federal Government took the lead when she offered her million dollar Inter- national Exhibit with 2575.000 for maintenance fund. Other nations have been active in securing representation. Not-with-standing the warring conditions existing at the present tinge, most of the countries of the East have already closed contracts allotting space for ex ibits. The Mississippi Centennial promises to mark a new era of progress for the people of our Commonwealth. Through this timely and splendid presentation of the Mississippi of to- day, we avail ourselves of a threefold opportunity: first, to review our historical greatness and instill in our lives a broader sense of patriotism, second, to open our eyes to the vastness of our undeveloped resources about us and to give our people a keener vision of our industrial and educational possibilitiesg third, to exploit our goods beyond our borders and show to our Sister States the quality of Mississippi's productions. Through the gates of the Exposition we invite the world into the Land of Fortune and Flowers. Our soil, our climate, our people say, Come and dwell where Nature smiles on Thrift. We are glad the day is approaching and now at hand when the Home-Seeker vsiill turn his face toward our borders, and Grown in Mississippi will be heard in every c ime. We are grateful to our Governor, Theodore G. Bilbo, the Legislature, Director Blakes- lee and his corps of workers, who are making the Centennial Exposition possible, and we trust every county and every interest of the State will co-operate for a great Celebration of a Greater Mississippi.