The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-25


1t strikes US that people so ingenious and
original as the French might have designed
some sort of International festival less trite
than an exhibition in crystal palace London
has had two such exhibitions; New York has
had one; this will be the second in Paris and
several continental cities have got up displays
Of the same kind upon smaller scale. Still,
having decided to hold another exhibition, the
French have set to work to make 1t the grand
est spectacle ever seen in the world. No pains
and no expense will be spared The crystal
palace will be much larger than any previous
exhibition building. An immense extent of
country around the palace is being cleared,
levelled and converted into magnificent
garden. New streets are being opened. old
streets widened and whole blocks of buildings
removed in order that the view Of the exhibit
ton grounds may not be obstructed from any
quarter. The portions Of Paris adjacent to the
crystal palace will be totally transformed.
In Europe. more than here, the Paris Exhibit
ton is already regarded as an event. People
date to it as to next Christmas. Everybody is
expected to attend. The movements Of the
English navy have been arranged for the year
with special reference to the facilities to be
afforded the officers and men to visit the exhi-
bition. 1t is generally supposed that the
anticipated continental war, for which all the
great Powers are now arming, is to be post
poned until the exhibition is over. A report
that General Grant is to attend at the inaugu-
ration Of the palace has given rise to the rumor
that the President and Congress are to consent
to truce upon the impeachment business
until after the exhibition. The English jour-
nails are moving for the abolition of the customs
duties between France and England, SO that
Mrs. John Bull may visi. the exhibition without
having her dresses rumpled and her bonnet
boxes tossed about by gendarmes. The recep-
tons of the British Queen have been fastened,
SO as to allow the nobility to 60 over to the
exhibition. Victoria herself will probably
attend the opening. In fact it is difficult to
name any distinguished parsonage in Europe
who will not be present Paris will be fairly
crowded with crowned heads. 1t is expected
that thousands of those natural sovereigns, the
Americans, will also be there. In anticipation
Of this influx Of strangers the cost of living in
Paris is gradually rising. Exhibition prices
will be as large as the exhibition itcelf Those
OF our readers who intend to 60 may as well
begin to save money; for the round trip will
require small fortune.
To an exhibition SO unique as this is intended
to be every nation should contribute articles
really interesting and instructive. The objects
usually displayed at international affairs of
this kind may be seen to equal advantage in
store windows, galleries Of art and machine
shops. Something more characteristic ought to
be selected. Let John Bull send over an Irish
cabin complete, with its walls Of whitewashed
clay, its scanty, smoky peat fire and few
peasants dying Of slow starvation. Prussia is
good for fine collection of needle-guns. Aus
tria could create sensation by exhibiting her
plans for the future. Italy should contribute
q model of Venice. As to the United States,
about whose department we are especially
concerned, there is an embarrassment of curio-
stiles. The comfortable home of an emigrant,
who fed from poverty In the Old World to
find plenty in the New, would not be devoid
Of interest A picture of President who re-
fuses to coincide with the popular will, or
tableau OF Congress during an exciting debate,
when the word "liar" is freely used, would
give Europeans hne idea Of the beauties of
republican government There is not room in
Paris for the Mammoth Cave, and Niagara Falls
could not be safely transported across the
ocean but a few Gagged specimens Of the un-
tanned Southerner, subjugated but not con-
quered, beaten during the rebellion, but still
furious for State rights and eloquent over
State wrongs, would do as well TO convince the
world of the grandeur of our institutions. No
foreign museum contains anything SO remark
able as Secretary McCulloch's views on finance;
DR.. Cheever's theory that the negroes all 60 to
heaven and the whites to hades Mr.. Greeley's
plan for the business management of a news
paper, or Congressman Raymond's formula for
being upon both sides of the question at the
same time. Napoleon is doing wonders for his
exhibition in the way OF building and orna-
mentation; but unless there is some such devia-
ton from the usual routine as we propose the
display atthe Paris Exhibition will be rivallcd,
If not surpassed, by that Of the shop fronts on
Broadway after all.
The Whisltcy Frauds-A Niger in the Fence.
correspondent sends us a communication
in relation to the whiskey frauds, in which he
puts the pertinent questions, "Why is not the
law Of complete confiscation and Imprisonment
carried out with respect to parties implicated
in the gigantic whiskey frauds : Is it because
nearly every official, high and low, is con-
nected with thems" 1t is very certain that
there is a hitch somewhere in the enforcement
Of the law against revenue frauds, especially