The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-08-17
What Austria Has Done at Vienna.
From the N. Y. World ]

From the N. Y. World
If the United States really intend to do
what enthusiastic persons declare, which is
to eclipse in the display of domestic and
international industries at Philadelphia in
1876 all that has been done either at Wen
ma, or Paris or London, we have something
else before us besides the setting forth of
the glories of our national independence,
the traditions of Philadelphia and the
Schuylkill, and the political joys of repub-
licanisin. Mr.. Hswley, the President of
the Commission asked in his recent speech
this pertinent but intensely American ques-
ton "Klngly and imperial governments
have done we'll with International exhibit
tons. Can general assembly of 4O,OOO,-
600 of people do better7
1t is related of the late Chief Justice
Shaw of Massachusetts, that when Mr..
Choate in his young days was relieving
tie tedium of a law argument before the
full bench by one of his discursive flights
into regions of collateral learning, the vene-
rable magistrate at last said "Now, Mr..
Choate, gire as a little sense"
The Philadelphia managers of the Inter-
national Exhibition for 1876 will in like
manner be compelled to come down to solid
facts and figures, hard labor and practical
thought, profuse pecuniary expenditure,
and up again to highest artistic taste, if
they are to compete with what has been at
Vienna, or Paris, or London. The Esprit
VI iuuSpcuoSbCo duu tuo memories OF
l7762wfll not alone suffice. The merchants
and manufacturers of England, France,
and Austria have enough of civil and re-
ligious liberty to make successful exposi-
tions of national industry and tremendous
progress, as the world has just seen at Wen
ma. We shall have to rely on something
else besides "glitJering generalites" or
political freedom to put the United States
in that forefront Of progressive industry
which MIR. Hawley SO incoDsiderately fore
shadows. 1t would be extremely mortify-
ing to our national susceptibiites if a
slave-holdiDg monarchy like Brazil should
euter the lists at Philadelphia and carry
Off the palm in specialties common to US
both, as she appears to have just done in
Austria.
The theory of modern international ex-
positions has been that the inviting Gov
eminent furnishes the ground, buildings.
police, service, attendance, etc, and dis
tributes the space among the applying ma
tionalities for pecuniary rental. Prim-
arlly, the exposition is of the industry and
art OF the nation supplying the buildings
1t requires and occupies o good part of the
space. Thus of about 10000 square metres
III the main building, or industrial hall. Mt
Vienna, we find Austria fills nearly one
fourth, and Germany, France, and England
much less than n ninth each. Out of So
913 square metres the United States wers
enabled to stretch themselves very thinly
over not mere than 1853 square metres
while England filled $3.50 in that building
AT Philadelphia, therefore, this county,
must, first of all, provide suitable grounds,
convenient and cheap of access from the
hotels and lodging houses of the city; must
enclose, grade and ornament them; must
erect substantial structures thereon, fire.
proof, wind proof, and waterproof; and
must furnish ample police and other SUPER
vision therefor. Persons having valuable
pictures, articles of silver or gold, or costly
works of art or use, will not permit them
to go to buildings liable to blow down like
the Boston Coliseum, or burn I'D like the
Reservoir square Crystal Palace. The main
edltice in Vienna is in it's walls and abut-
ments of solid stone masonry, thick enough |
and heavy enough to endure for ages, with
the roof of iron.
We doubt If there are more than q very |
few amongst us, even of the most intelli- |
gent on these subjects, who appreciate |
what strides international exhibitions have |
taken in twenty years. The space thew |
have occupied will give some idea, and we |
give the following statement:
Tordo, ir,,-, Acres
- -
oI ~ 80 95f