New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-04-18
PINS EOR TIE CENTENNLIL.

The Executive Committee of the Centennial
Commission prepared last week the draft of an
act to be submitted to Congress, in which
they have hit upon a practical scheme tor
managing and defraying the expenses OF the
great Exposition. SO far as is now apparent,
the plan deserves the approval and acceptance
of all the States. A Centennial Board OF FL
nance is to be created which shall have au-
thority to secure subscriptions of capital
stock to an amount not exceeding S1O,OOO,OOO,
to be divided into shares of $40 each. Books
of subscription are to be opened in each State
and Territory all municipal or other corporate
bodies and all citizens are free to subscribe to
this stock and to vote on each share held.
The Board of Directors are to be chosen by
the stockholders from one hundred Of their
number selected by the UDited States
Centennial Commission said Board, when
organized, to take charge of all books
and business transactions relating to the
Exposition, and, when it is over, to close
its accounts and deliver the profits to the
stockholders under the supervision of the
Centennial Commission. This plan appears
well calculated to make the Exposition a thor
oughly national matter, and to combine mo-
induce the people to urge it to a successful
completion.
We are glad that tho Commission have de-
vised so practicable scheme for the practical
machinery of the celebration. When this is
arranged, doubtless the broader and higher
methods which have been suggested of exhib-
ting the national progress by means of his
toric resumes of every branch Of science, art,
and literature, will be carried into effect.
Meantime, are there not certain household
preparations which the States ought to look to
before they celebrate this great Golden We'd
ding The poorest housewife regulates her
family, cleans her house, and sets it in order,
before she calls in her neighbOrs to keep
Thanksgiving with her for the good estate of
both family and house. We propose to sum-
mon all peoples and tongues from the ends of
the earth to our Thanksgiving for the avowed
purpose of showing them what our progress has
been in our hundred years of life. 1t may be very
well to exhibit our machines, schools, railroads,
or to boast of the workings of republican in
situations, our boards of wealth above or under
ground, our liberty in State and Church. But
after all, it is not these things, but we our
selves who will be the most curious of all
studies to our guests, from John Bull to John
Chinaman. 1t is not what the American has
done with iron, COAL or electricity, that is the
main point. 1t is, What has he done with him
self What manner of man is he in religion,
in social life, in manners We have no past
behind which to shelter ourselves like older
nations. The stranger looks at the modern
Frenchman through the glory of Napoleon or
the blood of countless revolutions he hardly
sees the Italian for the shadow of the Coliseum
or the ghosts of the old gods and Caesars but
he takes the American with no background
but his restaurant or hOrse-car. Neither
prophet nor king has let his mantle fall upon
us here we are, at our present naked valua-
ton.
1t behOOves us, therefore, to look into what
spots, we are assured, to be cleaned from our
wedding garments before we offer ourselves
as irreproachable types of civilization and
Christianity. What part of the Exposition, dor
instance, is to be set apart for the exhibition
Of the working of republican freedom in South
Cardinal Where will the Ku-Klux find q
place or the Indians whom we have redeemed
by Christian treatment from savagery in these
hundred yearsi Shall VIC CHOOSE the Oneida
Free Lovers to offer as specimen of our pure
domestic life or some of our emancipated wO- |
meni or Brigham and his eighty wiyesi
These matters should DO looked to in time. |
We may write what monographs we choose ON |
our progress in science or in art but the |
resume of our actual condition which will be |
made by our guests will. We fancy, DO quito |
~ true and hardly 80 fat.oring