The New York herald., 1873-10-18
TIE NATIONAL CENTENNIAL.
Detailed Explanations by the
Competing Architects.
Estimates for the Building from $4,000, 900
to $4,000 ooo-Religious Progress
The Clergy Of the Country
Appealed To for Aid.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct II, 1873.
According to the announcement made in the
HERALD the Centennial Committee on Plans
and Architecture met at ten A. M. yesterday,
and listened to the explanations of the de.
signers. Among those heard were Messrs Collins,
Autenreith. Macarthur, Wilson, simms, Sidney.
Gatchel and Sloan. Each spoke for about three
quarters Of an hour. After the gentlemen mad de-
veloped their plans to the fullest extent and
answered all the questions put to them upon
various points the meeting adjourned until to-day.
At ten O'Clock this morning the committee again
met and listened to the explanations OF all the
architects who had not been heard before. The
difficult part OF the business was begun, and the
next thing in order is the final decision. At the
present hour the committee still in secret ses-
sion and, with brefintermission will continue thus
daily until the desired result is arrived at
or course no one can tell to what extent the
committee were influenced by what the architects
said or TO what measure any particular plan
takes precedence of all the others. There so
many minor questions to be brought up appertain-
ing to heat, light, ventilation and drainage that
many days must elapse before any idea can be
formed as to the direction in which the final de-
csion is likely TO be made.
Thus far the estimates for the different plans
vary all the way from So 600 600 to $40, 600, 900.
Occupying prominent place in one OF the
granueSL claSSl1catlonS OF SUBJECTS ana eXn1DltS
which have ever been made for any exhibition-ie
that one already adopted for the American Cen
tennia buiding-the cader finds the following
under the general subject OF Religious Organize
Glass 94l.-origln nature, growth and extent OF
and historical facts
Glass a42.-Rellgious orders and societies and
their objects.
Class y43.-Societies and organizations for the
propagation Of systems of religion bymssionary
Glass 944.-spreading the knowledge OF religious
systems by publicatiOns-a class designed to include
such publications as those Of the Bible and Tract
societles-together with statistics of their origin,
growth and progress.
Glass s45.-systems and methods OF religious in
struction and training for the young. Apparatus
and appliances for teaching in the family; Sabbath
school furniture and apparatus, &c.
me clergy OF all denominations OF the United
versary of our independence as a nation is to be
celebrated, in accordance with an act Of CONGRESS-
by an exhibition OF the art and industry or all the
earth. That exhibition will not be simply a worlds
fair devoted exclusively to the material world, but
human progress, appealing to the pro onndest SEN
tments Of the devout and philanthropic-callng
for their prayers, Their labors, Their hearty prompt
Within the next few weeks will occur
e national thanSsgvns t is Usual upon tnls s
occasion 70 assign 10 the pulpit subjects OF more
general character than attend the regular Sab
bath day OF worship. Under these circumstances
the suggestion that the entire clergy OF the United
States should make some reference to the grand
American undertaking, and that the Centennial
should find some mention in their sermon, is
neither premature nor ill.advised but, the con-
trary, appropriate and In measure necessary SO
grand subject, and one so closely connected with
the spiritual welfare OF the race, may well become
the theme OF eloquence from every pulpit in the
land The progress Of America is without paral.
lei in the experience OF the world.
II we are the Christian nation we are reputed to
be we cannot, If We would, divest IL OF its charac-
ter as an obatlOn to the Most High, and as a cru
cia test before Him and mankind Of our estimate
patriotism, OF our appreciation OF civil and re-
ligious liberty, and OF our sense OF duty as a
must be either ali this nothing-in its moral i'm
port. 1t must, by its magnitude, its thoroughness
of representation, and its moral and intellectual
grandeur, manifest, in the presence or the
throngng millions Of our countrymen, and before
the assembled delegations OF all countries far as
possible, our gratitude to God, the source of our
prosperity and happiness as people.
In his interview with Pope Plus TX. Mr.. Gorham
Director General OF the Exposition, was assured by
the worthy father that he had the heartiest sympa
thy with the American movement, and that he had
every reason to believe that it would be great
clergy as well to express the same hope and do all
that they can to make this what the worthy man
mentioned above already regards 1t. "a great
success
Among the members who compose the Board Of
Plans and Architecture, and who represent great
many different States The stand taken by the NEW
YORK HERALD has been the theme OF nattering
comment. Those VINO represent the extreme
western and Southwestern quarters OF our coun-
try assured your correspondent that from the very
first the HERALD mas been the sole medium through
which they could gain information Of the various
movements OF Centennial progress, and that,
moreover, the reports In its columns were so fre-
quent and so complete that 1t was no longer neces-
sary for them to be put to the trouble OF personal
correspondence with the commission. General
Parsons, OF Texas prominent member of this
Board, in the course Of his eloquent remarks yes
terday, earnestly referred to the extraordinary
enterprise shown by the management OF the
HERALD in running the edition to this city at
an early hour in the morning, thus becoming
dissemnator Of universal intelligence In the great
est cities OF the Union simultaneously. He said
before the private meeting or the Board OF Archi-
lecture that since the HERALD had taken this mat
ter under It's proper consideration its sentiments
and opinions had found echo IN hundreds OF
Sheets In hiss conversation with me this AFTER
ternoon he said IN addition to the above, that the
commission thoroughly appreciated what the
HERALD had done, and referred to the hberality
and enterprise shown In catching up this subject
as one OF national and universal interest.
To-day General II. =. Lansing, under the direction
OF the Centennial Board of Finaree proceeded to
san Francisco to organize a State committee Tor
Caiiornia, and institute other measures for the
distribution OF stock upon the Pacific coast.
The largest subscription yet received from New
YORK Tor the stock OF the American Centennial Ex-
position came last evening In the shape OF a check
Tor 1000 from the firm OF KMsheedt, King Co.
The check was accompanied by the words:-"We
trust that you will accept this an expression OF
our deep desire to be identified with this patriotic
undertaking"