, 1874-05-25
Letter from Secretary Fish Defining
the Position 0K tho Government III
Rotation TNcrgtOs

NSbaST AE0AAA SeCE61AEt NA3H DobAAAAA&
the Position 0K tho GOyorn maa1t ia
Relation Thcreto.
Tho Commissioners OF the Centennial Exposi-
tiou met In Philadelphia On Wednesday last. Tho
Executive Committee submitted lengthy ro-
port, in which is given the following letter Of
the Secretary, Of stato. i corrects . 1nisappre-
henaion which tho philadelphians have Of the
responsibility OF tho General Government for
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, |
WASHINGTON, Nov, 5, 18j3,f
GENrLEMEa regret to find thas misapprchension
h IN o so IT, e h ing y
list relative to tho Centennial Exroattion 10 be held
in philadelphia, in commemoraton OF tho Declaration
Of tho Independence Of the United States. 1t is,
therefore, deened necessary to make the following
communication for Your Information and guidance:
It will 10 observed that tho prrsi1snt, III hls
proclamation, has extended 10 invitation to for
elgn Powers to- participate in the Exhibition.
HI was nut aathorizod 80 to d.; aud, while
est 80 possible thereto, he carefully confines
hinaelf to commanding the celebration Of tho Ceu-
to IL a m ea
With, to al nations Who may he pleased to tako part
therein.
Its presumed that you will not layo failed to OBJ
serye tho guarded Language Of the Prcsldota procla
nation, aid tbs difference botwoeu 1t mud that which
would le aaed III extending IN invitation to oler
Towers. You should 10 awaro also, that tho Exh.
bon is under tue eontrol OF Commission oreated
into corporate body aud that 1t is not national III tho
kGNao OF DGuB k0FGFuMeutAst OF uuuGF governmental
control. With the exception that Cuugreaa created tue
Commission into body corporate md that tho dcle-
gatea commissioners {who arc named by tha
Governors of the several States aud Terrl-
to1ics) commissioned by the President, uni
that Congress authorized the proclamation made by tho
President, aud sympathixlR With thu sentiment Of tha
people in general hut daep interest In tie SUCCESS OF
tho Exhibition, tho National aurarunent haa no COLI
necon with tito ComtniRaton-it lgs no control over
aaul IL I'll no way whatever responsible either for ita
management 1ta results. It "a important tint sou
ehoud correctly appreciate tla fact, for while tie
President fouls deep and sincere netea tntle sccesa
Of tho Exhibltlon and Congress hRB given to II tho
on Of ttH approval Of e object aud desgu neither The
President nor Congress- hrs authorized any Invitation
Oh behalf Of tho dovernmot 10 be given to foreign
POwerH nHs1ntd nny responsibility Of tho manage
ulent OF cuntrol Of tho Exhibition.
1t s, unquestonably, the lope OF the President that
foreign powers will take tntorebt anu cooIesato In tho
celebration ad Exhibition 4, tho instruction Of tho
Department Of July directed you 10 ayail yourself Of
Huch opportunities your official relations with tie
Government to which you accredited would afford,
to make known to tbs proper authorities anu through
them to tho people Of that country, tho object and
scopo OF tho Exhibition and thereby lid ln SECURING
their torevt and operation. but you will not nj
low the relation Of the Government towards the Con-
ntsaon sud ita 0bjecta to be nlis4pprohended.
In correcting any misunderstanding in this respect,
you will be extremely careful not to throw any mis-
trust upon tue celebration, excite kny suspicion Of
tha absence Of vory tlcop interest in s Eccoss
taa part Of this Government. LII, gentlemen, your
obediant servant, HAMILTON B1su.