The New York herald., 1867-04-05

America In thc Paris Expssittsw.
Our late special telegraphic cable despatch
from Paris describing the opening Of the grand
Exposition represented that America was
rather behind in the show of articles Of interest
or value in fact, that France entirely out
shone the United States, and that Englsnd
beat as completely in the matter of machinery.
Well, what of this Does any one suppose
that this country cosld be fairly eclipsed in
invention, If it felt disposed to rival other ma
tions in this French Exhibitionf Not at all.
The inventive genius of America is proverbial.
The intellect of its people, quickened by the
invigorating atmosphere which is unknown 70
the populations who dwell in the fogs and
clouds Of o European climate, and become as
damp and heavy as the air they breathe-the
American intellect is always busy with i'm
provement advancement and progress. Time,
distance or disbursement does not retard
it. But we must remember that the
Paris Exposition is, after all, purely
French affair. 1t will probably eventuate in
some glory to Napoleon; it may relieve him
from some diplomatic difficulties; it may
serve to cover up preparations for forthcoming
hostilities and it will certainly, to some extent
result in forwarding the commercial interests
Of France; but it does not appear how the in
terests Of this country are to be materially
subserved by the event which is the sensation
of the hour in Europe, and hence, we presume,
arises The apparent indifference in filling up
the chinks of the American department
We do not presume, however, that American
enterprise may not be worthily represented at
the Exposition and may not contribute good
deal to the sclGt attending it Napoleon, in
getting up the Exhibition, only initiates Eng
land in this as in many other things. The fame
acquired by English yachts and yacht clubs,
for instance, has stimulated rivalry in France.
and hence We are promised Chsrbsary re-
ga4ta, = part Of the programme Of the EK-
position. Here b An opportunity fsr
our yachtmsn TO show . little moro
Of that pfncky spirit which begot ~
Atlantic yacht race of Last December. Thms
are tAree Americsn yachts now lying II
European waters. Why not the number be in
creased BY fresh squadron which can cross
the ocean in safety in this genial spring
weather. There are, for example, the Alarm
q splendid boat Of two hundred and forty
tons-belonging to ex-Mayor Kingsland; tho
Widgeon, owned by Mr.. F. Osgood; tho
Rambler, owned by Mr.. Fearing I; the Halcyon,
owned by Mr.. Hubbard; the Phantom
another "Fiying Dutchman"-and the Palmer,
called after old Nathaniel Palmer, owned and
built by Captain Loper, one Of our Oldest and
ablest sailors, which might make an invincible
yacht Armada and some lucky one Of the
squadron might achieve a victory equal TO that
which the America won during the time of the
London Exhibition Of 1851. We ought to have
plenty Of Americas, and II we have not We
can build them. We understand that there il
splendid schooner yacht now on the stocks
in Boston and three or four more in course Of
construction in this city. There is great
vitality in the yacht clubs in New York,
Brooklyn, Jersey City and Hoboken, just now.
They appear to be Frightening up for jovial
season. The Bostonians also propose to send
some champions Of the oar to France, to try
their mettle with the oarsmen of the Old
World. We have no doubt that numbers Of
New York men would contribute literally to
send some crack oarsmen from here for the
same purpose-to compete for the prizes In the
contemplated regatta on the Seine. II these
things can be accomplished America may not
be found so far behind, after all, in the great
French Exposition. What we lack in machinery
and agricultural Implements, Connections
clocks aud wooden nutmegs--as IL Is said
may be supplied by the beauty and swiftness
of our boats the stability Of our iron-clads and
the muscle Of our oarsmen.
However, whether the Paris Exposition shall
prove failure or not, we do not think that the
enterprise Of the United States will be found
wanting in the race where other nations con-
tend for the mastery, although neither our In.
terests nor our ambition seem particularly
involved In the matter.