The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-01-04
An Address by the United States Cemten.
ninl Commission.

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 Independence shallbe 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
a Commission, consisting of representatives from
each State and Territory, to conduct the
celebration.
Originating under the auspices of the National
Legislature, controlled by a 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" it is
to the people at large that the Commission look
for the aid which is necessary to make the
Centennial Celebration the grandest anniversary
the world has ever seen.
That the completion of the first century OF our
existence should be marked by some 9mposing
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 be most
fittingly celebrated by the universal collection
and display Of all the trophies Of its progress. 1t
is designed to bring together, within a building
covering fifty acres, not only the varied produe-
tons of our mines and of the soil, but types 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 whichasel governed
people is capable.
mthis celebration" allnatiOns will he invited
to participate it's character being International
Europe will display her arts and manufactures
India her curious fabrics, while newly opened
China and Japan will lay bare the treasures
which for centuries their ingenious people have
been perfecting. Each land will compete i'll
generous rivalry for the palm of superior excel
lence.
To this grand gathering every zone will con
tribute its fruits and cereals. No mineral shall
be wanting; for what the East lacks the Wes
will supply. Under one roof will the Soutl
display in rich luXuriance her growing cotton
and the North in miniature, the ~ceaselcsE
machinery Of her mills converting that cotton
into cloth. Each section of the globe will scnt
ifs best offerings to this exhibition, and cacl
State of the Union, as a member of one united
body polite, will show to her sister States ant
to the world, how much she can add to thu
greatness of the nation of which she is a harm(
NOUS part.
To make the Centennial Celebration such
success as the patriotism and the pride of ever!
American demands will require the cooperation
Of the people of the whole country. The UnitcC
States Centennial Commission has received III
Government aid, such as England extended t
her Worlds Fair, and France to her Universe
Exposition, yet the labor and responsibility,
imposed upon the Commission is as great as il
either Of those undertakings. 1t is estimated
that ten millions of dollars will be required, ant
this sum Congress has provided shall be raiseC
by stock subscription, and that the people shal
have the opportunity Of subscribing in proper
ton to the population of their respective State
and Territories.
The Commission looks to the unfailing patriot
ism of the people of every section, to see tina
each contributes its shares to the expenses, an
receives it's share Of the benefits of an enterpris
in which all are so deeply interested. 1t woul
further earnestly urge the formation in eac
State and Territory of a neutrality-suspicious.
which shall in time see that county association
are formed, so that when the nations ar
+ gathered in 1876 each Commonwealth can vie7
with pride the contributions she has made t
national glory.
Confidently relying on the zeal and patriotism
t ever displayed by our people in every natiOns
undertaking, we pledge and prophecy, that tn
Centennial Celebration will worthily show ho'
greatness, wealth and intelligence, can be TO
tered by such Institutions as those which haY
for one hundred years blessed the people of tn
United States.
JOSEPH r. HAWLEY,
3 President.
l LEWIS VAIN SMITH,
Temporary Secretary.