Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-11-27
rnn NATIONAL CENTENNIAL.

At q recent session OF Congress an act
was passed, creating the United States
Centennial Commission, and defined the
purpose of the commission and its la
bors, to be to celebrate the centennial
anniversary of the nations birth by APP
nropriate memorial ceremonies, and by
an illustrative exhibition of the natural
resources of the country, and its prog
ress in those arts which benefit mankind
in competition with other nations. I'm
der this act commissioners have been ap-
nointed and are at work in the several
States organizing the elements out of
which this centennial celebration of the
nations birth is to be made. 1t will be
seen by the above reference to the act,
that their duties are something more
than to get up and carry through sue
cessfully an international exhibition.
They are to produce memorial exhibit
ton that is to illustrate the progress of
this country during the first hundred
wears of its life, in all those arts that
benefit mankind. This Office is no sine
cure, but requires the earnest labor and
eminent ability of the very able men
who are appointed ON the commission
from the several States.
This scheme has in view two Objects;
the telling of the story of our past de
yelopment and progress, and an iIlustra-
ton of our present condition, both in
the abstract and also as compared with
the present industrial standing of all
other nations. The history of our rapid
growth can probably be reviewed at
this time and from it be drawn the les
son that shall carry us safely by the
errors of the past, and enable us TO steer
clear of the hidden rocks strewn thicllly
about our nations pathway, and in it
we challenge the world to look oyer our
record, and to enter into competition
with us in the progress we can show in
the development of gnatural resources
and the inventive genius of our people in.
those arts that are useful to humanity.
We have pledged the nations that we
will unfold this history, and make our
display at the exhibition such that it
will be profitable for them to attend and
see where they can improve their own
Industries and prosperity by an emula-
ton of what we have accomplished.
Having advertised this exhibition to
the extent we have by acts of Congress,
by proclamation of the President, by the
organization of numerous local assOcia-
tions in its aid, and the general outcry
Of the whole press of the country, it
would be a standing disgrace to our peo-
pie, that another hundred years would
not oblterate, for this exhibition to
prove a failure in any respect. To make
it q success worthy of the occasion, as
marking an epoch in the nations history
and to serve the purposes of the act Of
Congress, very large expenditure will
be necessary, and it remains for the peo-
pie and for Congress to consider the
question of this expense. The law
making power has decreed that it is fit
ting that the centennial anniversary of
the nations birth should be celebrated in
this manner. 1t has also decided that
we shall have such an exhibition and
celebration, and has fixed the time and
place where and when it shall be holden,
and now naturally arises the question
Who ought to pay the expenses ?
We do not think that this great nation
al celebration and exhibition, from which
the whole nation is to receive the advan-
tages it will bring us, and the glory of
whose success will remain the common
heritage of the whole people forever,
ought to be turned over to go begging
among individuals. The constitution
declares that Congress shall have power
10 provide for the common defense and
general welfare of the United States.
Congress has declared that this celebra-
ton and exhibition ought to be held,
and have directed what shall be done in
this respect, and we now suggest that in
providing for the general welfare they
they have the authority and it is their
duty to make these necessary expenses
contribution to the nations welfare
from the public treasury. The States
have not the power of Congress over the
matter. 1t is not their province to do
this work, and we appeal to Congress to
take this thing in hand and see that it
does not lack success by reason of not
faying necessary funds, and also that
the peNple shall not be Inundated by its
being regarded as q private charity to
which the benevolent are invited to con-
tribute. We shall refer TO this again,
and think we can show other reasons
why this expense should be provided for
by national appropriation.
NAPOLEON Ev