The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-11-26
The Coming Centennial-Address ofthe
Commission.


To the People Of the United States
The Congress of the United States has
enacted that the completion of the one
hundreth year Of American independence
shall be celebrated by an international ex-
hibition of the arts, manufacturers, and
products Of the soil and mine, to be held
at Philadelphia in 1876, and has appoint
ed commission, consisting of representa-
tivcs from each state and territory to con.
duct the celebration. Originating under
the auspices of the national legislature,
controlled by national commission, and
designed as itois to commemorate the
first century of our existence, by an ex-
hibition of the natural resources of the
country and their development, and of
our progress in those arts which benefit
mankind, in comparison with those ofolder
nations" it is to the people at large that
the commission look for the aid which is
necessary to make the centennial celebra.
tion the grandest anniversary the world
has ever seen. That the completion Of
the first century of our existence should
be marked by some imposing demopstra-
tion 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 fittingly celebrated
by the universal collection and display of
all the trophies of its progress. 1t is de-
signed to bring together, within a build
ing covering so acres, not only the pro-
ductions Of our mines and of the SOIL but
types of all the intellectual triumphs of
our citizens, specimens of everything that
America can furnish, whether from tn e
brains or hands of her children, and thus
make evident to the world the advanse.
ment Of which self.governed people is
capable.
In this celebration" 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 perfecting. Each land will
compete in generous rivalry for the palm
of superior excellence. To this grand
gathering every zone will contribute it.
fruits and cereals. No mineral 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 minia
ture, the ceaseless machinery of her mills
converting that cotton into cloth. Eact
section Of the globe will send its bes
offerings to this exhibition, and each state
: OF the Union, as a member OF one unitet
body polite, will show to her sister state
and to the world, how much she can ado
to the greatness of the nation of whicl
she is harmonious part.
To make the centennial celebration
t such success as the patriotism and tn,
pride of every American demands, will
require the cooperation Of the people o
the whole country. The United State
: centennial commission has received NJ
Q government aid, such as England extend
). ed to her worlds fair, and France to tn
r universal exposition, yet the labor an,
r responsibility imposed upon the commits
It sion is as great as in either of those uu
d dertakings. 1t is estimated that te
> millions Of dollars will be required, an
q this sum Congress has provided shall b
l. raised by stock subscription, and that III
a people shall have the opportunity of sub
: scribing in proportion to the populatio
= OF their respective states and territorie!
s, The commission looks to the unfailin
y patriotism of the people of every sector
l. to see that it contributes its share to tn
e epenses, and receives its share of th
benefits Of an enterprise in which all ar
t. so deeply interested 1t would furthe
n earnestly urge the formation in each sta,
IS and territory of a centennial organzatio
J. which shall in time see that country al
Is sociations are formed, so that when th
he nations are gathered together in 1S7
< each commonwealth can view with prid
n the contributions she has made to Ii
J. national glory. Confidently relying @
the zeal and patriotism ever displayed b
j. our people in every national undertaking
y we pledge and phrophecy that the Gel
10 tennial celebration will worthily sho
g. how greatness, wealth and intelligent
n, can be fostered by such institutions
"a those which have for one hundred yea
e. blessed the people of the United State
at JOSEPH r. HAwLEY. Pres.
o. Lewis VAIN Smith, temporary Sec.
to
n. PETERSON MAGAZINE for December
IS on our table in advance. and is perfe
D. gem. This is. without doubt, the chea