New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-28
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
MR.. BIGELOW,S PLAN.

the coming Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia
Some journals. while acknowledging the force OF bis
suggestions have said that while his criticisms OF
| the Philadelphia plan were well founded, ne put
forward no definite scheme to supply the Deficiencies
| of the one he was reviewing. Such an observation
| as this betrays short memory The reason why
Mr. Bigelow did not choose to enrich his communi-
cation with his views of the most suitable mode
of commemorating the anniversary Of rs doubtless
was that they appeared at some length in a commu-
ncation from his pen. which was printed IN Tux
| TRIBUNE. in January, 1871. AS they seemed 10 Us
eminently sound and judicious feel that we can
not do better than supplement his criticism of tho
| Philadelphia scheme by a compendium Of them.
| AS preliminary work, Mr. Bgelow recommended:
| First: The restoration of the gold standard Of
values and repeal Of the law making paper money
| legal tender.
| Second: Such a reduction Of our indebtedness AZ
would give to our securities a value equal at leasa
| to those of any other country
Third An extra Federal census in 1875, so Az to be
printed and ready for distribution in June, 1915
As relating more distinctly to the work Of COM
memoraton, Mr.. Bigolow further recommended;
First: At least one complete set OF gold or silver
current coins, with new devices commemorative OF
the day. should be struck off at the Mint for every
citizen of the United States able and willing to pay
| for iG.
| Second: One Of the eminent poets Of our land or
| all, to be invited to sing in enduring verse our
national farewell to the departing century.
TAird Every art to be laid under contribution for
some appropriate memorial of the degree of excel
lence to which such art shall have attained, and
| with which it will begin the succeeding century
| But Of supreme Importance in Mr.. Bgelow's esti-
nation is.
Fourth: A series of sketches of the progress ana
product of civilization in the United States for tho
expiring century, which should catalogue, az n
were. the obligations of the world thus far 10 thu
great American Republic.
Among other topics, this series should embrace
sketches of the progress
l. Of our postal service, from the days of Post
| master Franklin.
O. Of telegrapby in all its varieties in the United
States.
g. Of the progress Of art, industry, and invention
including well-digested analysis Of tho teachings
of the Patent Office.
A. Of emigration to the United States and its dis
tribution of emigrants.
& OF the agriculture, and incidentally of the rate
of increase Of land under culture and OF the dsap
pearance of growing timber.
g. OF mining, and of the progress made IN tho de-
yelopment of mineral wealth.
T. OF military and naval inventions discoveries
| and achievements.
8. OF manufactures Of all kinds
| Q. OF education and educational institutions, and
| incidentally of the honorary and financial re-
Enumeration of instructors.
TO- OF religious and ecclesiastical institutes and
| the compensation of the clergy.
] l0i Of our Sunday schools
H. OF the natural Sciences their progress, and the
progressive means provided for their culture
-. OF the progress of wealth and the financial
yicissitudes of the COUNTY,
49, OF literature and typography.
| ID. OF the newspaper press.
15 OF the public charities. and incidentally clas-
sifcarion of the poor and infrm who depend upon
| them.
49, or the organization and growth Of the differ
emit States in far they not treated OF under
| any of the preceding categories.
IT, Municipal State, and Federal systems Of poit-
| cal representation and the changes which they
may have respectively undergone.
| 1s. An account of what is memorable in the cee-
brations of the various anniversaries of American
Independence from the commencement.
49, OF political economy. and incidentally Of labor.
free and serve, and wages.
Tho science of political economy may be said to
have been born with independence, for Adam
Smiths Wealth of Nations was published in l776
90. OF law, as a profession and of our systems Of
judicial procedure as a means Of security for life
and property.
81. OF our fisheries.
g. OF medicine, a profession, and its effects
upon longevity. This will furnish excellent oC-
cason for summing up the advantages OF disadvant-
ages which the world has experienced from Jcnners
famous discovery of the prophy Tactic efficacy OF
vaccination which was made the same year that we
proclaimed ourselves a people free and independ-
emit and which, therefore in 1876, will have been on
trial just century.
%. OF commerce and navigation. domestic and
foreign, ocean and river.
a. OF changes and ameliOrations in the social con-
dition ana nourishment of the people of the United
States.
25. OF the Aborigines and the changes they have
undergone.
26. OF the climaotic and meteorological revolu-
lions and changes of the century on our Continent
Mr. Bigelow also recommends the foundation of 3
national museum, to be perpetualy associated both
by name and purpose with this anniversary. The
edce to be dedicated or its cornerstone laid on In
dependence Day, and when ready to be made the re-
pository of such works of art commemorative of the
event as proved worthy of its hospitality, including
specimens of everything priDtedin the United States
during the years 176 and 1876, and of all memorials
of that day in each of the intervening years that
needed and deserved such shelter.
Such foundation might become the nucleus too
of repository of all objects accumulated OF 10 accn
muate of such universal interest that they ought 10
be kept where they would be more or leS accessible
to all the world.
In regard to the participation of foreign nations.
Mr.. Blgelow says:
"FTfth: Foreign nations might be invited TO par
ticIpate in the celebration in such way as should
fanaN NIn rN.t .tKF as.ftlA