The New York herald., 1873-10-11
THE CENTENNIAL.
The Latest Propositions I'm Reference TO
the Great National Display.

The Latest Propositions I'm Reference 20
the Great National Display.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10, 1873
In one OF my first communications relating to
Centennial matters. had occasion TO refer to cer
tain plan for celebrating the Fourth OF July, 1876,
which | selected from innumerabe others as not
only the most conceptive but also the grandest and
most imposing. AT the time Of the writing re-
ferred to Centennial ideas were In O state some-
what crude, and there were no reasons aside from
the beauty OF the idea ITSELF for supposing that this
particular plan would be adopted. 1t was
simply mentioned in the briefest possible
space as but one OF many others,
which might or might not meet with public favor.
At this time, however, the perfect fulflment and
success Of that plan, selected by your correspond
ent in preference to oil Others seems to be FORE
gon conclusion and as. to use the words OF, not
only its originator. but also OF a gentleman occupy
Ing one OF the most elevated and responsible posi-
tions In the Centennial Commission, "The NEW
YORK HERALD has been the first journal in the coun-
try to place this great undertaking before the
American people in its proper light, and has done
more to establish its success than any other" 1t
but right to present this plan in all its mag
nfcent depth and strength, and thus first acquaint
the country with Its just proportions.
The plan Is now completed, and give 1t just as
it was given to me by It's originator, Mr.. Charles S.
Keyser, only an hour ago. 1t is composed of four
elements-music. civil and military bodies and
statues. The first agency VIII consist OF a colossal
orchestra aud chorus, the organization Of which
will soon be placed in the hands OF one of our most
worthy orchestra conductors For the military the
plan proposes that the best regiments OF every
State be invited. and form their camps in Fair
mount Park. This Will form an army OF at least $4,000
men. In addition to this the President will be re-
quested to detail to the spot considerable body
mand OF MS most distinguished officers; and also
as many vessels OF the navy as prac-
easy be secured n ee Of expense and %ou as
each State would no doubt furnish its regi-
ments with rations, the Uommsson can thus
gain most important addition to the complete
ness of this mintary display, with no cost other
than that Of transportation.
To render this feature or the anniversary of the
same international caste as the Exposition itself
the plan proposes to solicit the cooperation OF
Congress, to authorize the President to extend
invitations to the heads OF the European, Asiaric
and liberal governments, that they may be present
either personally or by their proper representa-
tives accompanied by regiment o their SELECTION.
The civic portion will comprehend the Masons,
the Cincinnati the Odd Fellows and other similar
organizations.
Il VIII be seen from the above that the plan is much
more complete than when reference was made to
| 1t before, and all must feel convinced OF It's
aesthetic nature by the introduction OF its last
! agency, namely, statues
honor to and preserve the memory OF the great and
good ofthe Revolution, aegorical devices In bronze
naturally suggested as highly appropriate to the
event. 1t is proposed, therefore, with the assent
offerings OF States societies, cities individuals,
who shall retain the property, which can be re-
cities or % to the he rotundas Of their state captos
our irish population can erect statue OF their
sa9e Igor nr English citizens "a
Baron Steuben, our French TO Lafayette and so
can all representatives OF different nations erect
statue to some one OF their noble and illustriOus
men. The Italians as stated recently In the HERALD,
have already began their part of the work,
and by the next steamer an order proceeds to
Italy foI colossal statue of Columbus, twelve feet
hign Our banking men, too, are Just awakening
statue to Robert Morris. The statue feature by no
means ends here. The scientific societies will no
sion another Of Judge Peters or john Dickinson
while each OF our States another still to some re-
preventative man OF the Revolution.
Then comes the subltmest statues OF all, erected
Of American iiSer and Immigration mgr a For
sve monolithic pedestal OF granite; its upper half
polished, Its lower half rough blasted rock. On
a bronze figure, representing laborlng man-in
stature and In simplicity OF attire, noble,
his sa For Labo hans 6e pn pr ns
also another statue, which would tell an
analogous s. and no less @ honorable story Make
massive base and place upon 1t, without any in-
scripton, a figure OF bronze. Let that figure be
Peter the Great; across his shoulder polished
edged adze OF iron, at his feet sceptre and q
crown OF gold for he was true representative OF
labor. who laid down his riches and badges OF roy
atty and worked at the trade OF shipcarpenter
and thus by honest toll made secure the iounda-
tions OF mighty Empire, and at the same time
that which is most friendly to ourselves For
immigration let there be this statue "A way
worn emigrant, resOlute aud unconquerable, his
wife and children by his side, and the fragments or
a broken wagon wheel at his feet" 1t would tell
simple story and illustrate the danger and peril Of
the Plains in former times. The labor societies
will answer this appeal. 1t requires but general
Of the United States to eject almost
any end and 1t Is certain that they will
not neglect this opportunity OF crowning their
work with fitting tribute. Then the plan pro-
poses the erection OF statues by different States
Massachusetts one to Webster, Warren or Mann or
let this state form q pedestal IN the form OF
Plymouth Rock. and upon IL, place an image OF one
of the Pilgrim Fathers. Virginia, leaving her
Washington to the society OF the Masons can erect
one to her Henry, Jefferson, Randolph or Marshall.
states which have produced men u Qnr QWn era, |
whose statemanshp rivals that OF earlier days, |
can substitute such examples. Thus New York /
could very appropriately take the nations great
citizen, Seward. other states, too young as yet |
to have produced men OF great national renown, |
could contribute alleg0rical lpures, embematic OF
the states themselves; and what richness Of
material, In marble and metal, for memorial COL
umns or fountains exist in every section Of our
great country, and how great could be made the
artistic result from the taste of so many national
noun talns OF the middle quarter OF the Republic
and on the borders Of Its near AMI farther oceans
well as over the vast savannahs and plains OF
great intermediates Continent.