Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-12-13
display, on that occasion, OF our pro
ducts. arts and industries.

American citizen, In Deilall VI ai aPPio
nriate commemoration of the close OF
the first century of our national exls-
tence. to which the country is fully com
mitted by the act of Congress and the
proclamation of the President, it will
be almost impossible to over estimate
the positive and permanent benefits
which West Virginia will derive from
the contemplated Exposition, (Which is
to be the main feature of the celebra-
tion) by making it the medium for pro-
wing to the world that the vast extent
and variety of her undeveloped resources
present extraordinary inducements for
the introduction of foreign capital and
for its profitable investment, among us,
in every department of operative indus
try. The Exhibition will open on the
nineteenth of April, the anniversary Of
Lexington, and close Oh the nineteenth
of October, the anniversary of York
town.
During the six months of its continu-
ance it is safe to say that it will be Wis
tied by ten millions Of people, that be
ing the number of visitors to the Uni
versal Exposition at Paris in 1867.
No such opportunity, therefore, has
ever been offered or is likely again to
occur for an effective display, under
such favorable auspices, Of the produc-
tive capabilities of our State, which
need only to be widely known to be
properly appreciated and promptly utll-
lied so that it will be worse than folly
not to avail ourselves of it to our ut
most ability.
Whilst the Centennial Exhibition is
designed chiefly to illustrate the growth
of our country during the first hundred
wears of its independence and to eX-
press its progress in all that benefits
mankind, under the fostering influences
of its free institutions, it will not be
merely an American display, but inter
national and universal as well, to which
the whole world has been formally invl-
ted to contribute in friendly competition.
Your Excellency is aware that all the
principal nationalities of Europe,-Eng-
land, France, Russia, Prussia, Holland,
Belgium and Austria, have held their
grand Expositions, each increasing in
interest and importance over its prede-
cessor, and all constantly crowded, when
open, with intelligent and inquiring OBJ
servers from every quarter of the Globe.
You know what vast resources and
boundless wealth have been put in re-
QUESTION to make them useful and at
tractive now, besides the natural pro-
ducts of the earth, the creations OF in
yentiye genius, the discoveries Of sci
ence, the achievements of mechanism,
the t,iumphs of art, and in short every
thing the labor of human hands and
tighten the load on human hearts, have
been brought together on those occa-
sions, which the highest nobility have
esteemed it an honor to be permitted to
manage, and which have always been
inaugurated with gorgeous ceremonies
under the immediate patronage Of ma
jesty itself.
''On the heels of these world dazzling
demonstrations, the United States Is
about to enter the lists, and compete for
the palm of supremacy" The contest
will not be alone between the grand old
Empires of Europe, and the youngest
born of nations, but also between the
rival forms of their respective govern
ments so ''that if the Centennial cele-
bration of 1876, shall be pronounced a
failure, the American Republic will fall
in the estimation of mankind, and mon
arches be proclaimed the form of gov
enment, that best calls forth the encr-
gies and capabilities of people,
There is, consequently, every incen,
tive to make our Exposition creditable
| to our country, instructive to our peo'
Die. attractive to the world and in every
way worthy Of the great event it is in
tended to commemorate.
The continent is beginning to stir
with the busy notes OF preparation. The
National Congress, the President and
his Cabinet. the Legislatures Of thirty
States, ''the leading cities, prosperous
towns and lonely villages have already
taken action in the premises; and it
now becomes question Of pressing i'm
portauee, what part will West Virginia
be prepared TO take in the proposed
commemorative Exposition OF &c?
Entertaining, as do, implicit conf
dcnce in the patriotism, intelligence and
public spirit of the people OF my native
State, | have no fear OF their failing to
avail themselves of the opportunities of
the occasion, and of their contributing
to the West Virginia compartments OF
the Centennial Buildings, very many
valuable and interesting evidences OF
their skill. taste and enterprise. But it
will not do in this important matter, to
RELY exclusively upon the unaided and
unorganized efforts of our tellow-clil
who have not the same facilities of inter
communication, as the people OF most OF
the other States of the Union.
/, therefore, most respectfully submit
to your Excellency the propriety of
your bringing this subject to the atten-
ton of the Legislature, for such action
as, in the judgment Of its members, may
best promote the interests and honor OF
our State in connection with the Cen
tennial.
My own idea is, that, at least, suffi-
Gent appropriation should be made to
secure the services of one or two com
potent and energetic agents, whose duty
i1 shall be to visit every county in the