Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-11-23
AN ADDRESS BY THE UNITED
STATES CENTENNIAL cow
MISSION.
10 the People of The United States .

10 the People Of the United States
The Congress Of the United States has
enacted that the completion of the Que
Hundredth Year of American Indepen-
dence shall be celebrated by an Interna-
tional Exhibition of the Arts, Manuiac-
lures, and Products of the soil and mine.
TO be held at Philadelphia, In 1876, and
has appointed Commission, consisting of
representatives from each State and Terri
tory to conduct the celebration.
Originating under the auspices of the
National Legislature, controlled by Ma
tional Commission. and designed as 1t is to
Commemorate the first Century of our
existence, 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 laiGc that the Commission look
for the aid which is necessary to make the
Centennial Celebration the grandest ami
versary the world has ever seen.
That the completion of the frs. cehtury
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
Srates has wisely decided that the Birth
day of the Great Republic can be most fit
tingly celebrated by the universal collection
and display of all the trophies OF its pro-
cress. II ia designed to bring together,
within a building covering attv acres, not
only the varied productions Of our mines
and of the soil, but types of all The ntellec-
tual triumphs of our citizens, specimens OF
everything that America can furnish,
whether from the brains or the hands Of
her children, and thus make evident to the
world the advancement OF which self
governed people is capable,
In this ''Celebralion'' all nations will be
invited to participate its character being
International. Europe will display her
arts and manufactures, India her curious
fabrics, while newly opened China and
Japan will lay bare the treasures which
for centuries their ingenious people have
been perfectng. Each land will compete
in generous rivalry for the palm of supe-
rior 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 SoutE display in rich luxu-
Rance her growing cotton, and the North
in miniature, the ceaseless machinery OF
her mills converting that cotton into cloth.
Each section Of the globe will send its best
offerings to this exhibition, and each State
of the Union, as Il member of one united
body polite, will show to her sister States
and to the world, how much she can add
to the greatness of the nation OF which she
is harmonious part.
To make the Centennial Celebration such
a success as the patriotism and the pride
of every American demands will require
pf hn npptnln m winnie
country. The United States Centennial
Commission has received no Government
aid. such as England extended to her
Worlds Fait, and France to her Univer-
sal Exposition, yet the labor and RESPONSE
bihty imposed upon the Commission is as
great as in either of those undertakings. -
1t is estimated that ten millions OF dollars
will be required, and this sum Congress
has provided shall be raised by stock sub
scrption, and that the people shall have
the opportunity Of subscribing in proper
ton to the population of their respective
States and Territories.
The Commission looks to the unfuilin:
patriotism of the people OF every section
to see that each contributes to its share tC
| the expenses, and receives its share OF the
benefits of au enterprise in which all are 81
! deeply interested. ItwOuld further earn
estly urge the formation in each State aut
Territory of centennial organization
which shall in time see that county asso
cations are formed, so that when the ma
tions ars gathered together in 1876 eacl
( Commonwealth can view with pride tn
contributions she has made to the nation
al glory.
Confidently relying on the zeal and pa
triotism ever displayed by our people il
every national undertaking, we pledge ant
prophecy, that the Centennial Celebration
will worthiy show how greatness, wealt
and intelligence, can be fostered by sue
inttutiOns as those which have for on
hundred years blessed the people of tn
United States.
JOSEPH K. HAWLEY.
LEWIS WALN SMITH, President
Temporary Secretary.