The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-07
The Pafss Exhisieioa.--Tlse Gfana
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4
ling account Of the grand pageant at
Fthe Paris Exhibition, on tie occasion
'of the Emperor's visit and presenta-
tion of awards by that sovereign,
from special telegram to the New
York Herald: -
{. The Minister OF State read to the
Emperor the report of the juries on
the successful exhibitors aud the pro-
ductions and objects exhibited by
them. AT its conclusion, Napoleon
rose from his throne, and, in loud
and clear voice, said:
GENTLEMEN: After an interval Of
twelve years, L come for the second
time to distribute rewards to those
who have most distinguished them
selves in those works which enrich
the nations, embellish life and soften
the manners. The poets of antiquity
sung the praises of the great games
In which the various nations assem-
bled to contend with Greece for
prizes i'll the race and other sports.
What would they say to-day, were
they present at these Olympic games
of the whole world, il which the
nations of the earth contend by force
OF intellect alone, and seem to launch
themselves forth simultaneously on
an infinite career of progress towards
an ideal, which has been incessantly
approached without ever being able
to be attained? From all parts of
the earth have come representatives
of science, arts and industry, who
have hastened to vie with each other
and we may say that peoples and
kings have both come to do honor to
the efforts of labor, and crown them
by their presence with ideas of con-
ciliation and peace. Indeed, in these
great assemblies, which appear to
have no other object than material
interests, a moral sentiment always
disehgages itself from the competi-
ton Of intelligence, sentiment of
concord and civilization; and the
nations, in thus drawing near, learn
to know and esteem each other.
Hatreds are extinguished, and the
truth becomes more evident that the
prosperity of each country contri-
butes to the prosperity of all. The
Exhibition of 1867 may Justly be
termed universal; for it unites the
elements of all riches of the globe.
Side by side with the latest improve
ments in modern art appear the pro-
ducts OF the remotest ages, so thut
they represent, at one and the same
time, the genius of all ages and ma
tions. It is universal, for in addition
to the marvels which luxury brings
for the few, it displays also that de-
manded by their necessities for the
many. The interests of the laboring
classes never aroused more lively
solicitude. Their moral and material
wants, education, conditions of life
at cheap rate of living, by the most
productive combinations of associa-
ton. have been the objects of patient
inquiries and serious study. Thus
all improvements move forward. If
science by turning matter to account
llberates labor, the cultivation of the
mind by subduing vices prevails over
the vulgar passions and liberates
humanity. Let us congratulate our
selves, gentlemen, upon having re-
ceived among us the majority OF the
sovereigns and princes of Europe,
and so many other distinguished
visitors. Let us be proud of having
shown that France, as she is great, is
prosperous and free One must be
destitute of all patriotic faith who
doubts her greatness, and must close
his eyes to the evidence who denies
her prosperity. He must misunder-
stand our nstitutions-tolerant even
to license-not to behold in them
liberty. Foreigners have been able
to appreciate this. France, formerly
disquieted and casting out her un-
easiness beyond her frontiers is la
borious aud cain Always fertile in
generous ideas she is turning her
genius to the most diverse marvels,
never allowing herself to be ener-
waited by material enjoyment. At
tentive minds will have OWNED that,
Notwithstanding the development Of
its wealth, notwithstanding the en-
Elements towards prosperity, the
fibre of the nation is always ready to
Vlblate as soon rs question of honor
OF the country arises; but this noble
susceptibility could not be subject
for alarm, for repose would let those
who lived short time among us
carry home just opinions of the
country. feel persuaded that the
sentiments of esteem and sympathy
we entertain toward foreign nations,
and our sincere desire to live at peace
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