The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-30

The Centennial Celebration ana Inter-
national Exhibition OF 1876.
Three years from next Fourth Of July the
hundredth1year of the independence of the
United States is to be celebrated. What an event.
both in the history of this country and the
world! 1t ought to be the grandest event of
all times. The Exhibition which is to COM
memorate it should be the most complete and
imposing ever witnessed. No epoch ever
represented such wonderful progress in all that
pertains to the freedom, civilization and hap
piness of mankind, or ever foreshadowed such
mighty consequences in the future Thirteen
sparsely settled colonies, with population of
three millions, will have grown up to thirty
seven States and forty-fve millions of people
in our Republic Indeed, there may be more
States by July, 1876 for there are five or six
Territories almost ready to be incorporated in
the Union. Territorial expansion has given
the Republic the area of a vast empire. There
appears to be in all human probabilities no
limit to the growth of the country short Of
continental dominion or to the growth Of its
wealth. Well may the American people feel
proud of the great event to be celebrated three
years hence. The hope of all is that it may
correspond in grandeur with the glorious
past the magnifcence of the present and
the more glorious and mightier future. If it
should not the people will be disappointed and
their patriotic sentiment wounded.
What, then, is the prospect? We confess
we do not see clearly what is to come out of
the movement We are not disposed to be
hypercritical, particularly in advance, and
wish to give the Centennial Commission hav-
ing the matter in hand all the encouragement
possible. But we fear there is too narrow and
local view of the subject taken by some Of
those having control, and especially by the
people Of Philadelphia and other parts
of Pennsylvania. Instead Of looking at it
in broad and national point Of view
there seems to be something like a little
huckstering idea, such as the small peanut
dealer has about turning penny. The
Pennsylvanians-the Philadelphians particu-
larly-are too much inclined to look at the
celebration as belonging to them especially,
with the Offices the plans and arrangements
An instance of such local assumption and
grasping is seen in the appointment of
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Boyd, as Commissioner
for Indiana and in the refusal of the Com
mission to recognize the appointment of Mr..
johnson, of New Albany, by the President in
the place of Boyd The first mistake made
was in not deciding to have the Centennial
Exhibition at New York, the metropolis of the
Republic where the facilities would have been
much greater and where there is worlds
fair continually True, there was some weight
in the claim Of Philadelphia for the honor, as
it was at that city independence was pro-
claimed and where the seat Of government was
first established. Still, as a great national
event. it ought to be where the greatest eclat
would be given to it, and where there are the
best opportunities and most conveniences
All we want, however, is to see such a
unique and grand celebration as will be
creditable to the country and worthy the oc-
casion. The fact that the Commission finds it
necessary to come to this city for consultation
and to prepare for the event shows that the
metropolis would have been the best place to
hold the Centennial celebration. There is not
much to notice in the proceedings Of the Ex-
ecutive Committee at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
on Wednesday, for they were merely prelimi-
nary and preparatory, and were recorded in
our issue of yesterday.
The building for the Centennial Exhibition
ought to be the finest and most artistic ever
erected. But if our public men, not one out
of five hundred Of whom have any idea of art
or architecture, are to decide we fear the
structure will prove an abortion. We have
only to look at the wretched objects Of art
so called, which these men have voted money
for and disgraced Washington city with, to
understand what might be expected from their
decision. Plans should be invited from all
parts Of the world, for art is universal and
rises above nationality. A committee Of the
first architects and artists of all lands should
decide on the plan. Means should be used to
collect and transport the finest specimens of
mineral and agricultural products, the best
machinery and mechanical inventions, the
choicest manufactures of all kinds, the great
est and best works of art, and everything, in
fact that will show both our own skill, genius
wealth and progress, as well as those from
other countries The Centennial Exhibition
should, indeed, be in the largest sense q
universal one Above ALL let not the Republic
be disgraced by any jobs, schemes, advertising
lodges or narrow-minded conduct of those
controlling the celebration. For once, at
least, let patriotism on that grand occasion
rise above selishness