The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-11-08
The Centennial Exposition.

The american MdHufdcturer says -
There seems at length, to be some proba-
bility that the obstacles which have here
tofore beset the initial movements for the
inception of the Centennial Exhibition will
shortly be removed, and the great enter
prise fairly launched upon the road to sue
cess. The main hindrance has been tho
difficulty Of accumulating a sufficient fund
for the payment of the preliminary expen-
ses of the undertaking. Congress, it will be
recollected, at its last session authorized
the creation of Centennial Board of FL
nance, with a capital of ten millions of dol
lars, divided into shares OF ten dollars each,
for he'puIpose Of afiordng the people of
every section of the country the privilege
and opportunity of contributing to make
the celebration of the Centennial Anniver-
sary Of American Independence, and the
International Exposition to be connected
Herewith the grand, comprehensive success
it deserves to be made. The act requires
the Centennial Commission TO open books
for the subscription in all the States and
Territories of the Union. Before this
could with propriety be done, however,
there was considerable amount of pioneer
labor to be performed, which properly be-
longed to Philadelphia to do, where the
exhibition is to be held.
A small appropriation was some time
ago made by that city for the purpose of
meeting the outlay in organizing The Board
OF Finance, and defraying other current
expenses. The amount thus appropriated
was, however, altogether inadequate for
the carrying out of the objects required.
1t has therefore, we understand, been
agreed by the city to appropriate the fur
ther sum of fifty thousand dollars, in order,
rs FAR possible, fully to insure the sue
cess Of the undertaking. This, it seems
to us, is wise policy. The exhibition will
be a permanent institution for Philadel-
phia and looked vt even III the light Of
mere financial investment, the people of
that city can hardly fail to reap a rich re-
turn for any outlay, however liberal, they
may make by way of provision for the
preliminary steps of the noble and patriotic
enterp Use. 1t is further understood that a
meeting of the cOrporaJoIs of the Board
of Finance for Pennsylvania has been call
ed to meet in Philadelphia on the 18th Of
November, for the purpose of designating
the places at which subscriptions to the cap
ital stock of the Board shall be received, and
to take such other action concerning the for
wardlng of the project rs may be advisable.
The financial problem may therefore in
a measure be considered as satisfactorily
settled since there is very little doubt that
the people Of the different States and terri
tories will come forward in the most prompt
and liberal manner to the support of the
ed for subscription. The next important
matter is the selection of proper articles
to be exhibited. Intended. as the ExpoSi-
ton is, to show to other nations the mag
nificent progress which the giant Republic
of the West has made during the first cen-
tury OF its eIistence-every section of the
country, every process Of manufacture,
every department OF art, every notable il
lustration of the enterprise, skill, inventive
ingenuity and solid industry of the nation.
ought TO be represented. Earth, sea and
air-the workshop, the laboratory, the
foundry, the cabinet and the mill-must all
be laid under contribution. Preparations
cannot, therefore, be commenced at too
early date and it is to be hoped that all
agricultural societies, mechanics institutes
and polytechnic and scientific associations
throughout the United States, as well as
the great body Of the people generally,
will lend their concerted efforts toward
making the enterprise the splendid success
for which the occasion calls. 1t is to be
the Nations Century flower. Let it bios
som grandly.