The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-05

OUR CENTENNIAL ANN VERSAR
The question of the celebration of the CEN
tennial anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence came up yester-
day in the National House of Representatives.
It is not unnatural that other cities
should desire to enjoy the benefits that
such an exhibition would bring in its train,
and the opposition to the claims of Phila-
delphia that has thus far been made was no
more than was to be expected. Cincinnati,
Chicago, st, Louis, and, we doubt not, San
Francisco also, could all present excellent
reasons why the proposed interna-
tional exhibition should be held
within the limits of their re-
spective municipalities; and if there was
the slightest prospect of success the men,
bers of Congress who represent those con-
stituencies would exert themselves to the
utmost to accomplish SO desirable an object.
Practically, the contest, SO far as there is any
contest on the subject, is narrowed down to
Philadelphia and New York, and the last
named city is now attempting little game
of bluff that can amount to nothing, as
Philadelphia most certainly holds the winning
cards. The place where the Declaration of
Independence was signed is undoubtedly the
only proper place for celebrating the centen-
nial anniversary of that important event,
unless reasons of the most potent character
can be presented why another location would
be preferable. AS between the two cities,
however, Philadelphia possesses many advan-
tages that New York does not, and there
would be such an obvious improperly in
celebrating our national centennial in that
town that it cannot be doubted what the de-
cision of Congress will be on the subject
The only opponent our representative had yester-
day in the House of Representatives was Hon.
James Brooks, of New York city, who repre-
sents constituency whose patriotic associa-
tions date back from the time they set foot
upon American ground at Castle Garden,
whose ideas of the chief duties of American
citizenship are to vote early and often, and
to smash the heads of ''niggers" who attempt
to vote the Republican ticket, and who
value the Fourth of July principally for
the facilities afforded on that day for getting
drunk at an early hour on bad whisky. Mr..
Brooks distinguished himself yesterday by
stating that he regarded Philadelphia as a
populous and beautiful suburb of New York,
but was unable to see why it should be Sc
lected rather than Boston, where the princi-
pies of the Declaration of independence were
mainly Graded. If there were any choice in
the matter, Boston would undoubtedly be
more appropriate place for holding the exh-
bition than New York. and if the Declaration
of Independence had actually been signed at
the Club, we would most cordially advocate
its claim. The associations, however, that
cling about the old State House ON Chestnut
street are such that we sincerely
believe the patriotic citizens of Boston,
who have better idea of the
eternal fitness of things than the foreign born
constituency represented by Hon. James
Brooks, will most cordially support the project
of holding our great national centennial an
niversary in Philadelphia, and nowhere] else.
Mr.. Stevenson, of Ohio, in his remarks yes
terday displayed the proper spirit when he
said that in his opinion Cincinnati was a
suitable place for holding a great interna-
tional exhibition, but that as the purpose of
the one under consideration was to celebrate
a great event--the signing of the Declaration
of independence Philadelphia was the most
appropriate place. The bill which
was under discussion yesterday
will probably come up to-day for a final
vote, and we believe that the majority of the
members will view the subject in the same
light as does Mr.. Stevenson, and will prompt
ly pass it. II the American Institute of N ew
York, as Mr.. Brooks suggests, intends to hold
an exhibition in July, 1876, anyhow, that is
their business and not ours; and we certainly
wish the New Workers luck with their show,
and hope that the one to be held in this
city will not cause it to altogether bankrupt
its projectors