The southern press., 1851-09-05
The Worlds Fair.
The subjoinod letter from Mr. LUcius c. Dun
CAN, one Of the co IA nissioners at the Worlds
Fair, will be read with interest

LoNDos, June "a, 1851.
TO His Ercellency, Joseph Walker,
Gouernor Of The Stafs cf Louisiana
SR.---ShortIy after you did me the favor in
February last, to honor me with commission to
attend Gas one OF the commissioners in behalf
of the State of Louisiana,) the Great Industrial
Exhibition, then proposed to be held Ia this city,
left home, and arrived here in season To be
present at the opening on the lst of May last,
by the Queen in person, of the most charming
and magnificent of all earthly spectaces; the
peaceful display of the triumph of art and
science, and the works of industry OF all nations,
and which are sho vn in a magnificent edlice,
covering space Of about twenty-one acres OF
ground in Hyde Park, one Of the chief and most
graceful ornaments of the great commercial me-
tropoiis of the world.
Ample space had been appropriated by the
executive committee OF the royal commissioners,
for the display of all such objects as might DO
sent from all countries and in this distribution
the postion allotted to the United States was
very conspicuous, but unhappily our contribu-
tions have been not only very small, but l am
pinned to add, in the main mean and meagre; all
which attribute to the fact that our people
generally doubted the success of the Exhibition,
into which error they were unhappily led by the
principal English Journals, and by the tone and
temper of many of our journals, in which the
purposes Of the proposed Exhibition were ridi-
culed, and its ultimate success questioned and
treated most slightingy Happily, all these pre-
dictions have utterly failed, and do not suppose
that human annals contain the record of any
combined effort so eminently successful in all
respects, especially in the construction of the
beautiful edif %, and in the natchless order and
ayofar, ,,rayaiIun in avarv dauartm.nf
Other causes, doubtless contributed to our
misfor lne, for such truly regard our position
in the presence of other nations who are here
by their works of industry, and by representa-
tives from every quarter of the globe. In the
first place, the distance of our country from the
threatre of the proposed Exhibition was so
great as to deter large numbers OF our agricul-
turists, mechanics and manufacturers from en-
gaging in the enterprise and besides, the time
at first fixed for closing the doors to the admis-
sion of articles for exhibition, was really so
limited as to forbid the hope of proper prepara-
ton Of such objects as might be deemed worthy
specimens of our art and industry. | am per-
suaded that if the slightest effort had been
made, and any just ideas had been entertained
of the real character and purposes, and of the
probable results of this great Exhibition our
people, generally, would have taken more
cordial interest in the subject, and that any
one Stale could have acquitted herself more
credtaby than we now see in the contributions
of the united circle. New countries, where
habits and pursuits are necessarily of the util
t7gsan order, could not be expected to enter
upon any just or fair terms Of competition with
people whose genius has been actively en-
ployed for centuries. Tire activity Of youth
is never fairly compared-still less never honest
ly placed in invidious contrast with the results
of age and experience. We have, therefore,
the satisfaction to see among our contributions
the very results which indicate great activity
and hrewdness--utility and taste in such de-
velopements as contribute to personal comfort,
and to the moral and intellectual advancement
of the masses of the people--hence, contribu-
tions in the department of agricultural imple-
ments and inventions, in the numberless sub.
ects of the domestic arts, in % isc and in sculp-
ture, works of the highest merit are presented,
and doubt not, will share literally in the re-
ports of the jurors of awards. 1t is gratifying
to every American 20 perceive, that however
serious our shortcomings in other matters, one
object, the offspring of native genius, attracts
universal attention and commands unqualified
commentator the statue of the Greek slave
Dy Hiram Powers, whose world-w wide fame has
placed him the formost in the front rank of his
profession, and to whom, as | humbly think,
Louisiana has done herself abiding honors by
con6ding the Office of making statue of
Washington to adorn the halls of the capitol
The educational effect ofthis Exhibition must,
/ think, be of the most happy and lasting inhu-
ence on all the nations of the earth. The ad
vantages have been supposed by some persons
to preponderate chiefly, IL not altogether, in fa-
vor of England In my humble opinion that is |
a very narrow and contracted view Of the sub
iect ! cannot suppose that she will derive more
than full and fare share of the benefits, con.
tingent or future. The sovereign has very grace
fully, but not ostentatously, lent the weight of
her high Office to carry out the designs of the Ex
hbition, and personally has manifested the most
praise worthy interest and zeal in the develop |
ment of them. The feeling among the foreign
and Jurors is, make no question,
that the official courtesies and hosp
talities Of this city and country have been ex
hbi'ed in a spirit of kindness and liberality
which has created lasting and grateful impress
sions.
Mutual kindness and mutual respect must
follow this better acquaintance which all the ma.
tons of the earth have now had an opportunity
Of making, under the most favorable and agreea.
Bile circumstances, of each others resources
taste, skill, and industry. Thus the Industrial
Exhibition OF 1851 will have contributed, in
arger and more enduring degree than all other
svents or inventions Of this country, whether
considered separately or collectively, TO advance
he cause of human knowledge and human hap.
,iness. New vigor and more enlarged, liberal
'iews, and better knowledge will be impaired
Ind felt in all the departments of agriculture,
lrt science, manufacture and commerce.
Next to our modification in the small share of
,ur country in the contributions to this Exhibi.
ion, is the profound regret experienced by all
he Americans in the feeble and utterly incom-
,etent character of the agent appointed by the
central committee at Washington, and to that
'ause is to be ascribed, in very prominent de
gree, our failure in the Exhibition of even OF
'uch objects as we have here.
All other nations have delegated men of edu-
'ation, OF high character and respect in their own
'ountry to act as their chief commissioner or re-
preventative, and have thus secured to them
selves great advantages by judicious arrange
nent and tasteful, skillful management and com.
,lnations of the articles contributed aud conided
% their care; while under the management of
'ne MIR. Edward Riddle of Boston, selected mo-
body here can tell for what quality of mind or
tho cnnfral oomn,itfaa hoa avnoaad