Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-15
The Coming Centennial.

10 the Peoole of the United States:
The congress Of the United States has enacted
that the completion of the one hundredth year
of American independence shall be celebrated
by an international exhibition of the arts, man
ulactures and products of The soil aud mine, TO
be held at Philadelphia in 1876, and has appoint
ed a commission, consisting of representatives
from each state and territory, to conduct the
celebration. Originating under the auspices of
the national legislature, controlled by a national
commission, and designed as il is TO 'commem-
crate the first century of our existence by an
exhibition of the national resources of the eoun-
try and their development, and of our progress
in those arts which benefit mankind, IN Compar-
isOn with those Of older nations" it is to the
people at large that the commission look for the
aid which is necessary to make the centennial
celebration the graudeSt anniversary the world
has ever seen. That the completion OF the first
century Of our existence should he marked by
some imposing demonstration is, we believe, the
patriotic wish of the people of the whole conn
try The congress of the United States has
wisely decided that the birthday OF the great
republic can be most fittinglY celebrated by the
universal collection and display of all the tr0-
pheS of its progress 1t is designed TO bring
together, within building covering fifty acres,
not only the productions of our mines and OF
the soil, but types OF all the intellectual trl-
umphs of our citizens, specimens OF everything
that America can furnish, whether from the
brains or hands of her children, and thus make
evident to the world the advancement OF which
a sei-governed people is capable.
In this celebration" all nations will be in
vited to participate; its character being inerna-
tiOnal. Europe will display her arts and manu-
features, India her curious fabrics, while newly
opened China and Japan will lay bare the treas
ures which for centuries their ingenious people
have been perecung Each land will comuete
in generous rivalry for the palm Of superior eX-
cellence. 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 luxuriance her growing
cotton, and the north, in miniature, the cease
less machinery Of her mills, converting that cot
ton into cloth. Each section of the globe will
send its best offerings to this exhibition, and
each state of the Union, as 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 harmo-
NOUS part
To make the centennial celebration such sue
cess as the patriotism and the pride of every
American demands will require the cooperation
of the people of the whole country. The United
States centennial commission has received no
government and, such as England extended to
her worlds fair, and France to the universal
exposition, yet the labor and responsibility i'm
posed uP~u the commission is as great as in
either of these undertakings. 1t is estimated
this sum congress has provided shall be raised
by stock subscription, 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
unfaling patriotism of the people Of every Sec
ton, to see that it contributes its share 10 the
expenses, and receives its share Of the benefits
of an enterprise in which all are so deeply in
terested. 1t would further earnestly urge the
formation in each state and territory of a CEN
tennial organization, which shall in time see
that county associations are formed, so that
when the nations are gathered together in 1876
each commonwealth can view with pride the
contributions she has made TO the national
glory. Confidently relying on the zeal and
patriotism ever displayed by our people in every
national undertaking, we pledge and prophecy
that the centennial celebration will worthiy
show how greatness, wealth aud intelligence
can be fostered by such institutions as those
which have for one hundred years blessed the
people of the United States.
JOSEPH K. HAwLEY, president.
LOWS WolO Smith