New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-03

\ ccleDlallOn Oh JDe CeDtnnldI Anniversary OF
| Independence was suggested to me in converse
ton with the Hon. John Bigelow. then Minister
to France, it reawakened all the enthusiasm of my
boyhood Then thespproach OF the Fourth ofJuly"
was an annual source of grateful enjoyment. Tho
rising generation were made happy. and proud and
grateful--happy in witnessing brilliant pageant.
proud Of q glorious Republic. and grateful TO
tho men who had achieved our independence.
The antcipations Of John Adams, in the prophetic
letter written July 4. l776 were fully and happily
realized. Those celebrations were, for full three
quarters of century. not only animating but in the
orations and sentiments elected, ardent love OF
country was inspired, patriotic fires were kindled
and kept perpetualy burning in all American
hearts Our national holidays were 80 few that we
made the most of the 4th Of July and the 22d Of
! February.
1t occasions sad thoughts and feelings. in my old
ago. TO see how cody and artifcally these national
holidays are now observed. The present generation
is growing up without the joyous snticpations Of
happiness which each return of the anniversary Of
American Independence brought to every city, ever
village, every hamlet, every household, and every
heart in the then really United States We all
rejoiced in the "pomps, shows, games sports guns.
bells bonlires and Examinations" so glowingly fore
Swallowed by signor Of the Declaration. We all
hoped and believed that time would work no change
in this respect.
was, therefore, let me repeat. greatly pleased
with the prospect of Centennial celebration Of the
Anniversary Of American Independence. 1 looked
forward joyfuly to Fourth of July" celebration
kindred in manner and spirit but broader and
grander in scOpe-a celebration at Philadelphia that
would bring together hundreds of thousands Of
aeemen from all the States of the Union. to be wit
messed by admitting guests from all the nations Of
tI,a al, in hria WA
tainment to which supposed were to be invited.
Fromlthis pleasant reverie was startled year or
two since by an announcement that the proposed
celebration was to cost several millions of dollars
Why ii was to be thus expensive / could not even
conjecture, until the explanation came in form any
thing but satisfactory. Instead of celebration OF tho
hundredth anniversary of Independence, We
are to have an Industrial Exhibition" This
seems to me wide departure from the original
purpose and appropriate Observance of a national
holiday. What looked for, and what think was
looked for by Others was day Of general jubilee.
! in w ich the whole American people could unite
in expressions and manifestations Of heartfelt
Joy for their individual happiness and for
our national prosperity during the hundred years
But this was delusion. The occasion is to DO
turned to account in pecuniary way. We are to
have not Fourth of July celebration upon broad
basis but United States Fair cattle-show. 1t Is
to be what might just well be In any other year
or upon any other day Of the year. upon tie Attn
of July, 1876 In my Judgment the exhibition OF
scientific mechanical and agricultural implements
and products at Philadelphia would be quito
as much out of place the 4th Of July,
1876, wero the money-tables that
desecrated the Temple at Jerusalem We
should upon reaching the hundredth year of our ma
tonal age become. for one whole day, oblivious Of
IL. Ill T1a chi
NAL Celebration should in an intensified degree. be
to the Union what the celebration of the completion
of the Bunker Hill Monument was to New England
The voice whose glowingly patriotic utterances on
that claimed to be and seemed inspired by the
spirit of John Adams, is now silent But other
voices scarcely less gifted and drawing inspiration
from the altar at which Webster inelt, woald create
by their orations and anthems an atmosphere Oh eo-
quence and melody, awakening emotions and teach
ing lessons alike pleasant and useful to our people
and country through all coming time. Such cele-
braton would prepare the American people TO enter
upon the second century of their national existence
under happy and grateful auspices.
The appropriate and legitimate celebration OF our
National Anniversary calls for such prodgal eh'
penditure of money as is contemplated by those who
seek to convert it into National Exposition Ihs
moment it was understood that several millions OF
the popular interest in the enterprise stag
sered; and the more the questions are can
vassed the weaker they grow. We cannos
afford. while 80 many Of people are unem-
ployed, while many of industries stand
still and while the Government Is financially Grip
pled to add seven, six, fye OF even four millions~
the National debt, merely to enable manufacturer
mechanics and agriculturists to exhibit premium
specimens of their handiwork. Nor is il strange
that the people hesitate about an expenditure OF
money for an anniversary celebration greater than
the entire original cost of the Erie and
| Champlan canals Nor is it unreasonable
when $10,OOO,OOo demanded for such
an object that popular distrust should
be awakened. recent attempt to inyeigle the
City of New-York into appropriation Of two and
half million of dollars for bogus industrial
Exhibition" was, by the irmness of the Msyof
and Board of Aldermen. with difficulty defeated.
In the contemplated expenditure of millions Of dol
lars for the erection Of acrysta palace at Philade
pha, discern in embryo " ring and lob" that
may bring universal but unavailing discredit and
modification.
The attempt to raise $4,000 900 has been received
with So little of favor that its accomplishment can
not be reasonably anticipated. Why not. then.
abandon the Exposition" feature and return 70
the original idea of q centennial celebrationf Ihe
money required Ior TINS purpose Wuuiu DC ioa"",
and cheerfully contributed The celebration should
be enlightened aud muni6cent. Invitations should
be sent to all the Governments with which
we have relations. provision being made fo'
extending bountiful hospitality to all who como
to us from abroad Strangers should enjoy the free
dom of our steamers and railways 20 visit all tpe
points and objects of interest and attrac'I n,,
throughout our whole country. In this way oyn
European visitors would obtain far better EnowI'
edge of the progress aud growth Of the country Ms