Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-12-13
Reading Matter on Every Page.
The International Industrial EXhi.
bitiOn.

We entirely concur with our morning cotem-
p"rarieS in their advocacy of immediate action
by Congress on the bill TO encourage and pro-
mote the proposed industrial Exhibition. The
proposition 10 TN the time for holding the exhi
bitiOn in 1871 was opposed when twas originally
proposed, by some friends Of the cause On the
ground that it would not afford to the artists
and manufacturers OF the world. sufficient time
to prepare such works as they would desire to
present for, competition. But this view was
overTulcd by the great majority of the pro-
motors Of the enterprise, in the hope and expec-
tstion that Congress would act promptly on a
bill 50 reasonable and unobjectionabIe As that
which it was decided to present to them. a
notice of one wear IL the least that manufactu-
rCTs and artists would have right to expect in
such a case. Such notice should embrace full
information to the time Of opening
the exhibition, and the arrangements for
the transportation and reception OF goods.
Before an official announcement of this
kird can be made, the organization of the
executive department Of the Exhibition must be
fully completed, and the regulations and ar
rangements perfected. This will be a work re-
quiring both time and labor, and one which
will tax severely the knowledge, experience and
ability OF those TO whom it may be entrusted
All these are good reasons for immediate action
cd. As soon a. it becomes apparent that the ex-
hibition we have proposed is likely to prove sue
Cesful in securing the endorsement OF Govern
mcnt, set OF selfish spectators from other
cities will Immediately endeavOr to wrest from
us the fruits of our labOrs by influencing Con-
gress to transfer the exhibition to some other
place We learn that some such efforts have
already been made. Congress will, therefore,
save itself the annoyance Of these appeals by
carly action on our memorial. The measure We
ask for comes before them with the practical
endorsement of the administration, with the per-
sonal subscription of the President, with the
concurrent request OF the leading business men
and capitalists OF the District, with the sympa-
tby OF the Mayor and City Councils OF Washing
ton and Georgetown, and of the Levy Court of
Washington county, and with the almost unani-
nous support of the people of this District
From various quarters of our own country.
and from Europe, the voice Of announcement
has been heard; and leading men, at home and
abroad, practically acquainted with the subject,
nave gwen their warm approval to the selection
OF this city "a the most appropriate place for
holding the exhibition.
what L asked OF Congress il less much less
than was freely granted by the English and
French Governments in aid of their great exhi-
bitiOnS; and we trust that il will not he found
that an American Congress is less liberal aud
less able to appreciate the vast advantages
which flow from these great industrial contests
than the British Parliament or the French As
selally. These exhibitions, beginning with that
OF ls5i i'll London, have reyolutionized the in
d1stIial relations OF European nations, in a
sense favorable to progress. They have shaken
the manufacturing supremacy of England TO its
very foundations. The first minds of the world
have been engaged and are still at work in
tracing their effect, and they have everywhere
been regarded "a demanding the sanction and
SUPPORT OF enlightened governments We shall
take future occasion to dwell more fully on
each OF these points. We end we began, by
urging an early action on the bill. and by re-
queSting the earnest cooperation of all the
friends of the measure. in Congress and out of
1T, to secure that result.