Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-11-14
The Utrecht Fair.
For he Sunday AnneaI.

in the Netherlands, which took place
in August and September last, has
reached me a few days since.
The subject of itself is very interest
ing, and of considerable importance,
especially in this enlightened day of
the march Of progress. Also, the sub
jet being spropOs TO our movements
now in our midst.
Therefore, 1 herewith send you, for
publication in your popular journal, a
few remarks respecting the result of
this great international and Indus
trial Exhibition, and in connection
with it the practical influence of the
institution in Inspect to the political
economy of the people Of the Neither
lands.
The great and principal objects of
the International Exhibition is to
bring to the knowledge Of the work
ingmen such articles Of manufacture
and mechanical industry of different
countries at as low a price as may
combine usefulness with durability,
so that the workingman may be ena-
bled by judiciOus economy to improve
his condition.
The report says that the countries
most conspicuously represented in
manufacture and the mechanical arts,
are France, England, Belgium, and
Germany; and all the most celebrated
fabrics Of Paris, London, Brussels,
Hamburg, Lyons, Vienna and Berlin,
had their specimen Of fabrics there in
the greatest quantity, and, Of course,
done up in the highest state of perfec-
ton.
The most durable and useful articles
exhibited were in wooden goods,
linens, cloth, v~elvets, silks, damasks,
and hannels.
Calieoes and domestiGs to an UNI
limited degree; large and extensive
assortments of the different grades
and classes in copper works, brass,
steel, bronze, beil-metal, compost
tons, etc. ; fabrics of silverWare,
~chinaware, Ornamented porcelain,
gilded chinaware, c~arpeting, mating,
flooring, ornaments, draperies, and
household ware, in endless numbers
were there for exhibition.
We see no mention made of any ex-
tensive exhibition from the United
States, except in machinery, lOcomO-
tives and some labor-saving machines,
and there were specimens of cotton,
tobacco, Carolina rice, and Indian
corn in ears, which, by-the-by, was
considered a great curiosity there.
The number Of visitors to the eXhi-
bitiOn rs mentioned must have been
| over one hundred thousand, which
has put in circulation (while the Fair
lasted) not less than six millions of
dollars in the city OF Utrecht. | see
1t mentioned also that an important
meeting had taken place for the pur-
pose of establishing a direct steam
navigation with the United States.
This is Il good move in that quarter.
The reader may now understand
that Provincial Fairs have been held
in the city of Utrecht for a great num-
Der of years. l visited one of these
exhibitions as early as in 1875; l was
then quite young, but have a distinct
/ recollection of the brilliant affair"
and the great gathering Of the people,
which has ever since impressed me
with the utility Oh these Institutions,
and now, as the progress of time has
improved their abilities and means,
their progress becomes more ~e0nspicu-
Gus aud their annual exhibitions more
universal and refined
The city of Utrecht is situated IN
the northeastern part of Holland, and
is a rich and beautiful country. It is
reached by canals, public roads and
railroads. 1t is a seat Of learning,
as there are several colleges and one
university, where literature and the
arts are highly cultivated. 1t is situ-
ated between the cities of the Hague
and Lyden, and has now a fine rail-
road TO the great commercial empO-
rum, Amsterdam.
The site for an exhibition could not
have been mort appropriately chosen;
it is interesting and beautiful. The
whole country which surrounds
Utrecht IS a perfect garden, as it is
everywhere in the highest state OF
cultivation, where the rarest plants
and flowers and the choicest fruits are
raised and exported to the different
markets in Holland and foreign
tries. The people OF Utrecht and vi
entity are a frugal, industrious, aud
highly intelligent people; they be-
lieve in self-reiiance, and hence their
independence. As regards their
knowledge Of political economy, l am
quite sure in saying that there is not
people on the face of the earth where
that is understood and praeticed more
than by the people Of the different
provinces of Holland.
The people of the Netherlands as a
whole, are in my opinion the best po-
liticaI economists in the world, because
they make everything they need at
home-even their own fashions; they
export twenty articles where they
import three, and for these experts
receive large sums of money-silver
and pcId-and that Is the great reason
why the people and Government Of
Hoflandare wealthy and independent.
These people always have money to
loan, and that at low rates-Say from
two and a half to three per cent. per
annum. Their circulating medium Is
silver and gold only, and they c0nse-
quently stand preemiRent for their
commercial and domestic prosperity.
Mr.. Editor, in concluding this arti-
Gle, / would respectfully ask the sim
pie question, why cannot the people
Of this beautiful country do the same
as the people OF Holland? Why, |
say, can we not accomplish the same
objects, by making al we want at
home, also? Our OUTLAWS being thus
greatly diminished, condition
would soon change for the better; we
would every year increase u rev.
enues from our exports, which would
soon bring as out OF debt-and q peo-
pie |" out Of debt are out Of dangerV-
square US with the world and make
US once more a prosperous aud indie
pendent people.
Respectfully, yours, DIR. PLOUGH, J