The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-11-21

cRNTEyNKAL
An ADDRESS
ny Ilae Unfaed states Centennial
Commission.

II the People Of the United States.
~ The Congress of the United States has en-
acted that the completion of the One Hun
dredth ear OF American Independence shall
be celebrated by an International Exhibit
ton OF the Arts, Manufactures and Products
of the soil aud mine, 70 be held n Philadel-
phia. in 1876, and has appointed Commits
sion. consisting OF representatives from
each State and Territory, 10 conduct the
celebration.
Originating under the auspices of the
National Legislature, controlled by a Ma
tional Commission, and designed as il is TO
commemorate the first Century of our ex-
istence. by an Exhibition OF the Natural
resources of the Country and their develop
ment. and of our progress in those Arts
which benefit mankind, in comparison with
those of older Nations it Is to the people
at large that the Commission look for the
sid which is necessary TO make the Centen-
NAL Celebration the grandest anniversary
the world has ever seen.
That the completion of the first century
OF our existence should be marked by some
imposing demonstration Is. we believe. the
patriotic wish of the people of the whole
country The Congress OF the United States
has wisely decided that the Birthday of
the Great Republic can be most fittingIy
celebrated by the universal collection and
display of all the trophies, of its progress.
1t is designed to bring together, within
building covering fifty acres, not only the
varied productions of our mines and OF the
soil. but types OF all the intellectual tri-
umphs of our citizens, specimens of every
thing that America can furnish, whether
from the brains or the hands of her child
ren, and thus make evident To the world
the advancement OF which self-goVerned
people is capable,
In this Celebration all nations will be
invited 10 participate; its character being
International. Europe will display her arts
and manufactures, India her curious fabrics.
7 IL =
lay bare the treasures which for centuries
their ingenious people have been perfecting.
Each land will compete in generous rivalry
for tile palm of superior excellence.
To this grand gathering every zone will
contribute its fruits and cereals. No min
eral shall be wanting; for what the East
lacks the West will supply. Under one
roof will the South display in rich luXuri
auee her growing cotton, and the North in
miniature, the ceaselesS machinery of her
mills convert ng that cotton into cloth
Each section OF the globe Will send its best
offerings to this exhibition, and each State
of the Union. As q member of one united
BODY polite. viii show TO her sister States
and to ihe world. how much she can add to
the greatness of the nation OF which she Is
a harmonious part.
To make the Centennial Celebration such
a success as the patriotism and the pride of
every American demands will require the
cooperation of the people of the whole
Commission has received no Government
aid, such as England extended to her
Worlds Fair. and France to her Universal
Exposition. yet the labor ard responsibility
imposed upon the Commission is a. great as
in either OF those undertakings. It is esti-
mated that ten millions of dollars will be
required, and this sum Congress has provid
ed shall be raised by stock subscription.
and that the people shall have the oppOrtu-
nifty of subscribing in proportion TO the
population of their respective States and
Territories
The Commission looks to the anfailing
patriotism of the people of every section, to
see that each contributes its share to the
expenses, and receives its share OF the be-
nettS Of an enterprise in which all are so
deeply interested. 1t would further earn
estlv urge the formation in each State and
Territory OF centennial organization,
which shall in time see that county associa-
tons are formed, so that when the nations
are gathered together in 1876 each Common
wealth can view with pride the contribu-
tions she has made to the national glory.
Confidently relying on the zeal aud pa
triotism ever displayed by our people in
every national undertaking, We pledge and
prophecy, shat the Centennial Celebration
will worthily show how greatness, wealth
and Intelligence, can be fosterel by such in
stitutious as those which have for one hun
bred years blessed the people of the United
States.
JOSEPH K. HAWLEY,
President.
LEWIS WALN SMITH,
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