The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-11-23
AN Address
U. s. Centennial Commission.

10 the People VI y United Stttes
The Congress Uf the nited States has
enacted that the completion " the One
Hundredth Year of American lndepend
ence shall be celebrated ly an International
Exhibition Of the Arts. Manufactures and
Products Ct the soil and mine, to be held
at Philadelphia, in 1876, and has appointed
a Commission, consisting Of representa-
tives from e6stgSa5s aGa Territory, u c5Hif
duct 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 devel-
opment, and of our progress in those Arts
which benefit mankind, IN comparison with
those Of older Nations, il Is To the people
at large that the Commission look for the
aid which is necessary to make the Centen-
nial Celebration the grandest anniversary
the world has ever seen.
That the completion Of the first century
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
States has wisely decided that the Birth
day Of the Great Republic can lie most hit
tingly celebrated by the universal collec-
tion and display " all the trophies u its
progress. II il designed II bring together
within a building covering fifty acres, not
only the varied productions of our mines
and Of the soil, bu' 'yl.-s Of all the intel
lectual triumphs of soar citizens, specimens
Of eve' ything that america can furnish,
whether from the hts,n- pr the hands u
her children, and thus MAKE evident tO the
world the advancement Of which a 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 fab
rics, while newly opened China and Japan
will lay bare tile treasures which for cen
turtles their ingenious peoPlee have been
perfecting Each land will compete ia
generous rivalry for the palm Of superior e1-
cellence.
To this grand gathering every zone will
contribute its fruits and cereals. No min
eral shall shall be wanting for what the
East lacks the West will supply. Under
one roof will the South display Ia rich
luxuriance her growing cotton, and the
| North IN miniature, the ceaseless machin-
/ cry Of her mills converting the cotton into
/ cloth Each section Of the globe will send
its best offerings to this exhibition, and
each State ~ the Union, as q member u
| one united body polite, will show tO her
sister States and to the world, how much
she can add to the greatness of TIE ssttte,tf-
| Of which she Is a harmonious part
TO make the Centennial Celebration such
| a success as the patriotism and the pride
| Of every American demands Will require
the cooperation If the people NJ thc whole
country. The United States Centennial
Commission has received ~ Government
aid such As England extended to her
| Worlds Fair. and France tO her niversal
| Exposition, yet the labor and responsible
ity imposed upon the Commission is as
great AS IN either ot those undertakings.
Ii ls estimated that ten millions III dollars
will ~ required, anu this sum Congress
has provided shall be raised ~ stock sub
scriptiOn, and that the people shall have
the opportunity ot subscribing IN proper
ton to the population Of their respective
States and Territories
The Commission looks tO the uuiailing
patriotism of the people W every section,
TO see that each contributes its share II the
expenses, and receives its share Of the ben
eilts OF an enterprise in which ali are 50
deeply interested. 1t would further earn
estly urge the formation in each State and
Territory ~ q centennial organization,
which shall Ia time SEE that county asso-
clatlons are formed. ~ that when the nA-
tions are gathered together il 1876 each
Commonwealth can view with pride the
contributions she has made To- the national
glory.
Confidently relying on the zeal aud pa
triotism ever displayed IN our people III
every national undertaking, W. pledge and
prophecy, that the Centennial Celebration
will worthily show NV greatness, wealth
and intelligence, can be fostored by such
institutions as those which have for One
} hundred years blessed the people u the
United States
4 JOSEPH III HAwLEA, PreSatteHt
LEWIS MALS SMITH, Temporary Sec.