New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-22
THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL con-
VENTION.

The PENNSYLVANIA Horticultural Society some
time ago summoned a National Convention
of fruit aud f1Ower-grOwers, to consult as to
the part they should take in the Centennial
celebration. The Convention met last Wednes-
day, we hope with a full sense of the import
ance of their business, although it is evident
that the pecuniary failure of the Vienna E1-
position has acted like the very wettest of wet
blankets upon all centenary schemes. The de-
preston is, of course, but temporary. We have
such faith in the patriotism of our people, In
their love of display, and their eagerness to
join in any hurly-Durly and notes.-the more
tremendous the better-that we are sure, how
ever small the Exhibition itself may be, the
crowd that will 90 to see the crowd will be In
itself an amazing and wonderful spectacle.
After ALL in that crowd ought to be the
great and inimitable feature of our exhibit
ton. 1t is all very well for England to send
machinery to Vienna; Venice, miraculous
lace or France, silks fine as the magic web
with which the prince won the enchanted
maiden; but Americas work and materiel
have so far been humanity. What men of all
nations have sought her to find freedom, and
after that, money to put flesh and blood on
their freedom how she has dealt with them
whether they are the larger or less men for
her dealing-these are the records we have to
offer to curious eyes, in lieu Of lace and
lingerie. Whether we have any great cause
for graduation remains to be proved. Not
only the descendants of William Penn, the
Randolphs and the Plymouth Fathers have
their story to tell in face, character, and
deeds, but Mickey 0COnnOr who has left peat
and potatoes to preside over ward elections
and gin-shop, and Fritz who saved kreutzers
in Faderland and now saves Government
bonds in st. Louis, and All Chin, bObbing to
his little crockery idol in San Francisco, and
Black Bear butchering and butchered, and
Cesar-free. Here are growths and manufac
tured articles which can be produced nowhere
else in the world, and which challenge the
farthest-sighted philOsOphic eye, III both their
history and prophecy.
Next to the people who shall come to the
Centenary, the chief point of interest, we
fancy, to most foreigners will be the collec-
ton of natural products. which will bring the
country before them in pettO. To people look
ing forward to this country as their own
probable future home or that Of their friends,
the wheat and paSturage of the West. the
oranges of Florida, cranberries of the Lake
Shore, and peaches of Delaware, their avera ge
crops and price, and, above all, the
wages paid for their cultivation, offer subjects
of interest beyond all the art galleries of
Europe. We have sent this Summer a large
deputation to Vienna of cultured and critical
people, who, perhaps will enlarge their intel
lectual boundaries by study of pictures and
music and the treasures of old and wealthy
nations but the people who will come to our
Exposition will most probably have great prac
teal questions to satisfy with regard to the
means of certain and comfortable livelihood we
can furnish. Our friends in Philadelphia must
remember that it will be not only their duty
to adorn the Centenary with marvellous palms
and impossible orchids, or to bring the graces
and color of all seasons into that one sacred
day, but to answer these practical questions
in the most legbe and practical shape.