The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-02-22
Am Address by the United States CCmtem-
MiaI C~OnmEmiasiOm

To THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:
The Congress of the United States has enacted
that the completion OF the One Hundreth Year
Of American Indcpcndenceshal be celebrated by
an Observation-Disclosures Of the Arts, Manufac-
lures. and Products of the soil and mine, to be
held at Philadelphia. in 1876, and has appointed
Il Commission, consisting of representatives from
each State aud Territory, to conduct the
celebration.
Originating under the auspices of the National
Legislature, controlled by Il National Commits
sion, and designed as it is to Commemorate.
the first Century of our existence, by an
Exhibition of the Natural resources of the
Country and their development, and Of our
progress in those Arts which benefit mankind,
in comparison with those of older Nations, " tits
to the people ut Large that the Commission look
for the aid which is necessary to make the
Centennial Celebration the randcst anniversary
the world has ever seen.
That the completion of the first ccnturyo 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
Birthday Of the Great Republic can he most
tittingly celebrated by the universal collection
and display Of all the trophies of its progress. It
is designed to bring together, within a building
covering fifty acres, not only the varied prOduc-
tons Of Onr mines and of the soil, hut typps of
all the intellectual triumphs of our citizens,
specimens of everything that America can
furnish, whether from the brains or the hands
Of her children, and thus make evident to the
| world the advancement of which aScIf governed
people is capable.
InthiS "CelcbratiOn' allnati0nS will be invited
to participate its charactcr being International,
Europe will display her arts and manufactures.
India her curious fabrics, while newly pencd
China and Japan will lay bare the treasures
which for centuries their ingenious people have
been perfecting. Each land will cOmpete in
generous rivalry for the palm of superior excel
lcnCc.
To this grand gathering every zone will con-
tribute its fruits and cereals. No mineral shall
be wanting; for what the East lacks the West
Will supply. Under one roof will the South
display in rich luXuriance her growing cotton.
and the North in miniature, the ceaseless
machinery OF her mills converting that cotton
into cloth. Each section of the globe will send
its best offerings to This exhibition, and each
state OF the Union, as Il member of one united
body polite. will show 10 her sister States and
to the world, how mnch she can add to the
greatness OF the nation of which she is a harmO
TiOus part.
To make the Centennial Celebration such n
success as the patriotism and she pride of every
American demands will require the cooperation
OF the people of the whole country. The United
States Centennial Commission has received no
Government aid, such as England extcI. Icd to
her Worlds Fair, and France to her Universal
Exposition, yet the labor and responsibility
imposed upon the Commission is as great as in
either Of those undertakings. 1t is estimated
that ten millions of dollars will be required, and
this sum Congress has provided shall he raised
by stock subscription, and that the people shall
have the opportunity Of subscribing in proper
ton to the population of their respective States
and Territories.
The Commission looks to the u~Mfailing patriot
ism of the people Of every section, to see that
each contributes its shares to the expenses. and
receives its share Of the benefits Of an enterprise
in which all are so deeply interested. It would
further earnestly urge the formation in each
State and Territory of a centennial organization,
which shall in time sec that county associations
are formed, so that when the nations arc
gathered in 1876 each Commonwealth can view
with pride the contributions she has made TO
national glory. e
Confidently relying on the zeal and patriotism
ever displayed by our people in every national
undertaking, W pledge and prophecy, that the
Centennial Celebration will worthily show how
greatness, wealth and intelligence, can be fos-
tered by such institutions as those whichGlave
for one hundred years blessed the people of the
United States.
JOSEPH r. HAWLEY,
President.
LEWIS VAIN SMITH,
Temporary Secretary.