The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-11-29
T.. y. Centennial Commission

The Congress of the United States
has enacted that the completion OF
The One Hundredth Year of Ameri-
can Independence shall be celebrated
by an international Exhibition Of the
Arts, Manufactures, aud Products OF
the soil and mine, to be held at Phila-
delphia: in 1876, and has appointed q
Commission, consisting of represent.
atives from each State and Territory,
to conduct the celebration. Origina-
ting under the auspices of the Nation.
al Legislature, controlled by Ma
tional Commission, and designed as
it is to Commemorate the first Gen.
fury of our existence, by an Exhibi-
ton of the Natural resources of the
Country and their development, and
of cur 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 aid which is necessary
20 make the grandcst anniversary the
world has ever seen.
That the completion of the first
century of our existence should be
marked by some imposing demon
stratiOn is, We believe, the patriotic
wish of the people of the whole coun-
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
al the trophies Of its progress. 1t is
designed to bring together, within
building covering fifty acres, not on
lv the varied productions of our mines
md of the soil, but types of all the
intellectual triumphs Of our citizens,
specimens of everything that Ameri-
"a can furnish, whether from the
brains or the hands of her children,
and thus make evident to the world
the advancement of which a self gov
erned people is capable.
In this Celebration" all nations
will DC invited to participate; its
character being International. Eu-
rope will display her arts and manu-
lectures, India her curious fabrics,
while newly opened China and ia
pan will lay bare the treasures
which for centuries their ingenious
people have been perfccting. Each
and will compete in generous rival
" for the palm of superior excel
lcncc.
70 this grand gathering every zone
will contribute its fruits and cereals.
40 mineral shall be wanting: for
what the East lacks the West will
supply. Under one roof will the
South display in rich luXuriancc her
growing cotton, and the North in
miniature, the ceascless machinery of
her mills converting that cotton into
cloth. Each section of the globe will
send its best offerings to this exhfbi-
ton, snd 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 a harmonious part.
TO make the Centennial Celebra-
ion such a success as the patriotism
md the pride of every American de.
mands viii require the cooperation
of the people of the whole country.
The United States Centennial Com.
has received 10 Government |
aid, such as England extended to her |
Worlds Fair, and France to her Cni. |
versal Exposition, yet the labor and |
responsibility imposed upon the
is as great as in either
of those undertakings. 1t is estima-
ted that ten millions of dollars will
DC required and this sum Congress
has provided shall be raised by stock
subscription, and that the people
shall have the opportunity Of SUBJ.
.cribing in proportion to the popula-
lion of their respective States and
Territories.
The Commission looks TO the un.
failing patriotism of the people OF
every section, to sec that each con.
tributes its share to the expenses. 'aad
receives its sharc Of the benefits of
m enterprise in which all are so
jccnlv interested. Itwould further
earnestly urge the formation in each
state and Territory OF q centennial
organization, which shall in time see
lat county associations are formed,
~ that when the nations are gathered
ocether in 1876 each Commonwealth
,an view with pride the contribu-
ions she has made to the national
glory.
patriotism ever displayed by our
,eople i'm every national undertak.
ng, we pledge and prophecy, that
he Centennial Celebration will
yorthily show how greatness, wealth
nd intelligence, can be fostered by
uch institutions as thoee which have
or one hundred years blessed the
'eoplc of the United States.
JOSEPH r. HAwLfY,