, 1872-11-15
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
pFlia in 1SSG--Wceti2:g OF the Celten-
aial Board OF trustees for the Stale
OF Illinois.

| Oh l214n0l&s
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Nov II, 1872.
The Board Of Corporators for tile State of Hi,
nois Of the Centennial Exhibition convened at {
p. NJ, Commissioner T. L. Matthews presiding.
On motion, e. D. Sweeney, Of Rock island
| vas chosen Secretary.
| Tie Commissioner then delivered tue follow
ing address:
GENTLEMEN: Before proceeding to the busi-
ness for which We are called together, I do moi
deem it altogether out Of place to lay before you
| some of the general features OF the proposed
great enterprise in which we as the fourth State
| in the Union, are so largely interested.
The American people, through their Repre-
sentatives in Congress, have decided to celebrate
| pendence by holding grand International Ex-
hibition .of arts, manufactures, and products OF
soil and 1nine aud have appropriately located it
at the City Of Philadelphia, that our birthplace
az 3 nation may behold us in our prime.
| The act OF Congress, approved March 81, 1871,
which thus provides time and place Of meeting,
] also creates the United States Centennial Com
| mission, consisting of two members from each
of tile States and Territories, whose duty it ia
\ to prepare and superlnteud the Exhibition.
These Commissioners have twice met in general
session, have effected permanent organization,
| and agreed upon the outlines of 4 plan of exlibi-
ton which, VIC feel assured, will meet the ap-
| proval Of all.
This Exhibition will be International and uni
yersal, comprising represention of all arts. in
dustries, and manufactures all natural and arti-
fetal products and all tie varied results Of hui
| man skill thought, and imagination:
Not only do we urge and expect own
State to come forward and contribute 10 the
display, but, in the eloquent language Of Gen
eral Hawley, President of our Commission, " We
invite the entire world to come and lay her rich
est and choicest treasures at the feet Of the
young giant OF the West. and to behold what
will rival in splendor the wonders Of tho palace
OF Aladdin" The benefits Of such comparison
Of the products Of different countries is evident
- I. a,1t+ fr11- +t,pA -
tloor-space under roof will be required for this
purpose, III order that ample space may be given
to each state: Territory, and foreign land The
site for the buildings and grounds has been
located at Eairmount Park. The Exposition
will open on April -, and close Oct. 10, l87G,-
these being, as You will remttnber tile anniyer-
saries of the FIRST and last battles Of the Reyo-
luton. This undertaking, so patriotic in con-
results, commendz itself to tine heart Of every
American. and to all who have enjoyed tie
blessings Of American institutions.
The fire ct patriotism is not quenched by the
on, and shines with as clear beams to-day as
those radiating from the spirit of "76." I do
not hesitate to promise that Illinois, though the
fourth State in the Union, Will be second to
event. Only once in lifetime viii such q de-
mand be made, or such an opportunity be Of
ferel to display our national pride; and we
must not allow other States to surpass us,
either III display OF products, or the patriotism
which will lead us to help i'll any way deemed
necessary for the success of the enterprise.
To erect the immense buildings required, and
to remunerate architects and others who must
give their who1o time to the businese,-in short,
to make the thing success. will. Of course, re-
quire a large amount Of money, and the people
must be made to understand the financial char
acter Of the Exposition, and that, is stockhold-
ers, they will not lose the money which they i'll
vest. nor will the control Of it pass entirely out
of their hnJ0S %1H11srI the ty77n k1tiore 1r],ar
acter Of the scheme demands that tho Commits
sioners retain proper power and control. These
difficult points were matte the subject Of ms
ture dellberation by our Commission. and the
result embodied in IN act of Congress, which
seems to cover the whole ground.
It would be We'll to remember, and keep be-
fore the people, the fact such exhibitions have
heretofore proved very good Investments, md
holders have realized very high per cent on
their original Investment SO that many who
cannot be induced to subscribe through patriotic
motives will readily do SO when they perceive
State which does not avail itself Of taking it's
full quota during The hundred days, will have
no right to complain if, afterwards, other
States buy up :.ll tho stock. which, under the
oct, can be done, without regard to quota or
locality.
It is for the purpose of designating proper
places at which subscriptions shall he received,
aud the consideration Of kindred topics relating
to the great Echeme and to DEVISE means Tor
making this glorious idea still more glorious
reality, and to ask your hearty cooperation and
that Of the people Of this State through you,
that have called you together at this time.
Our quota Of The capital stock of the Exhibi-
Jas. H. Reid, Of Warren County, offered the
following preamble and resolution, which, on
motion, were adopted:
WHEREAS, The time Of hundred days h1ed by
the act Of Congress, passed June J. 1872 for making
subscriptions to the stock Of tie National Exhibition,
to be holden in Philadelphia in 1876, is, in udg-
ment, too short for the dissemination Of information
III relation thereto among the people, ind the proper
consumnaation Of said subscription therefore,
Keso!ced That our Senators and Representatives IL
meeting in December next to SO amend said act that
the time for receiving subscriptions shall be extended
book therefor.
On motion, the Board proceeded to name
banks and bankers to receive the subscriptions
to the capital stock Of the Centennial Board of
Finance:
Franklin Savings Bank, Chicago; e. Greenebaum +
Co., Chicago Lmnt, Preston T. Kean, Chicago; Union
60; FdEst National Bsak, Aurora Third National
Bank, Rockford: First National Eank, Marengo;
County
tional Bank Dixon First National Bank, Princeton
Drst N7ti9nal Bank Gsnssso nosk 1asna National
National Bank, Joliet; Grundy County National
Bank Morris First National Bank, Lacon Livings-
G'o 5ea 1sn
Second National Bank, Galesburg; First National
Bank, Canton Farmers National Bank Kethsburgh
Monmouth National Bank, Monmouth Hancock !
National Bank, Carthage; First National Bank, Ma-
comb First National Bank, Quincy Daniel Hearson,
carrolton First National Bank, Pittsfeld First Ma
tional Bank, Jacksonville; Rdgely National Bank, |
Springfield Savings Bank, Springfield; H. II. Van !
dever, Tayloryille; National Bank, Bloomington |
Co., Lincoln; First National Bank, PIkin
J. htuikeu & Co., Decatur - First National |
Bani.,, Champaign; !. First National Bank, !
Danyine; First National Bank, Mattoon; |
First National BanE Shebyrie First National Bank,
Paris; First National Bank, Centralia Vandalia Na
ional Bark, yandalia: Haskiu, Harris { Co., Hills,
boro; First National Bank Carliuve; First National
Bank, Atom hussel Hinckley, nellevalle; First Ma
Efonal Bank, Cairo; farmers Savings Bank Carbon
1ale; First National Bank, shawneetown; First Ma
ional Bank, Olney.
E. H. Rountree Of Montgomery County, pre-
'ented ths following resolution, which WAS
adopted:
Resolued, That the papers throughout the State be
equested to publish the proceedings Of this meeting.
On motion. the Board adjourned to meet at
he call of the Commissioners.
z. D. SWEENEY