The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-12
THE PRESS.
THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH 1s, IA
The Centennial.
LETTER FROM MIR. KIMBALL.


prove failure but its projectors know full
well that it will form basis for an immense
appropriation of public money ard that is
what they want. 1t is imrLaterial to them
whether or not the farce that ensues makes
the republic an object of contempt in the eyes
OF those whose respect it is desirable to Coz
ciliate.
clip the above from your article in the
PRESS OF the 9th inst. on the Centennial
Celebration. / know you too well, have test
ed your fairness on too manv occasions to be-
lieve you mean to be unjust to any one. But
must confess think your criticism of the
Centennial management is severe, and hope
to be able to show you it is entirely unjust.
But my chief object in writing this article is
to bring the facts as they now stand directly
before the people through your valuable pa
per, then let all judge whether or not the
Commissioners have acted in good faith in ac-
cordance with the act Of Congress that crea
ted the Commission,a las well as to carry out
far forth as it was in their power to do so, tn G
Proclamation of the President and other of
fetal acts of the U. S Government.
The first act creating the commission was
approved March 3rd. 1871 from which make
the following extract:
An Act to provide for celebrating the One
Hundredth Anniversary of American Inde-
pendence by holding an International Exhibi-
ton OF Arts. Manufactures, and Products of
the Soil and Mine, IN the City of Phiadel-
phia, and State of Pennsylvania, in the year
eighteen hundred and seventy-six.
Leaving out the preamble it read as fol-
lows:
SECTION. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives of the United States
Of Anaericd IN Congress assembled, that an ex
hibition Of American aud foreign arts, pro-
ducts, and manufactures, shall be held under
the auspices of the Government of the United
States, in the City of Philadelphia, in the year
eighteen hundred and seveLty-sx.
SECTION 2 That a Commission, to consist of
not more than two delegates hom each State,
and Territory of the United States, whose
functions shall continue until the close of the
exhibition shall he constituted, whose duty it
shall be to prepare and superintend the execu-
ton of plan. for holding the exhibition;
and, after conference with the authorities of
the City of Philadelphia to fix upon a suita-
BILE site within the corporate limits of the said
city, where the exhibition shall be held.
SECTION g. That said Commissioners shall
be appointed by the President of the United
Strtes, on the nomination of the governors of
the States.
SECTION 6. That the Commission shall re
port to Congress, at the first session after Its
appointment suitable date for opening and
for closing the exhibition; q schedule of appro-
pirate ceremonies for opening or dedcatng
the same; plan or plans oil the buildings; a
complete plan for the reception and classifica
tion of articles intended for exhibition; the
requisite custena house regulations for the in
production INTO thas country OF the articles from
foreign countries intended for exhibition; and
such other matters as in their judgment may
be important.
SECTION 7. That no compensation for services
shall be paid to the Commissioners or officers
provided by this act
The commissioners were all appointed in
due time and have held four meetings all at
the erpense of the city of Philadelphia, and
not of the people Of the U. S., have laid out
their plans for the celebration which have
been largely approved by the people and the
Press of the country. The President of the
| commission, Gen. Hawley, notified the Pres
| ident of the U. S. of the acts and doings o.
| the commission, and on the 3d day OF July
1873, he issued his proclamation, closing a.
| follows:
| And whereas the President of the United
| States Centennial Commission has officially in
formed me of the dates fixed for the opening
pna tcc ccqslAG A Of ~ 1be said Exhibition. and tn
| Now, therefore, be it known that /, Ulysses
| S. Grant, President of the United States, in
] conformity with the provisions of the act o.
| Congress aforesaid, do hereby declare and pro
! claim that there will be held, at the city O.
| Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, al
| international Exhibition of Arts Manufacture.
| and Products of the Soil and Mine, to be open
| ed on the nineteenth day of April Ammo Domi-
| in eighteen hundred and seventy-six, and to be
closed on the nineteenth day Of October, in the
l same year
And in the interest of peace, civilization and
domestic and international friendship and in
t. rcourse, commend the celebration and Ex
hibition TO the people Of the United States
| and, in behalf of this Government and people
| cordially commend IL EN- to all nations who
U. S. GRANT.
By the President:
HAMILTON FISH,
Secretary Of State.
Here we haye Proclamation of the Pres
ideut inviting foreign nations to our Inter
national Exposition; but this is not all. Tit
Secretary Of State sent tc foreign ministers ;
! note inviting them to participate, from whicl
make the following extract
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
-- WASHINGTON, d. c. July B, 1873.
( Sir have the honor to Inclose for the infor
| nation Vf the government Of a, copy OF the
| Presidents proclamation announcing the time
| and place oe holding an International Exhibl-
| tion of arts, manufactures and products OF
tie soil and mine, proposed to be held in the
wear eighteen h ,yEdred and seventy six.
The President indulges the hope that the
government of-will be pleased to notice the
subject and may l'esn @ It proper per % to orihg the e
the people Of that country and thus encourage
their cooperation in the proposed ceieofatioi
and he further hopes tlNat he opportunity
afforded by the Exhibition for the 1nterchaDg'
of national sentiments and fl 'endiy interconrse
between the people of both nations niay resu
in new and still greater advantages to Sclenc'
and Industry and at the same time seem t
strengthen the bonds of peace and friendship
which already happily suSsist between the gov
ernment and the, eope of-and those OF the
US.
have the honor to be sir with the highest
consideration, Your obt. servant,
HAMILTON FISH
Here is direct Diplomatic Invitation to
foreign nations. Had thev all refused to accept
the invitation how easy our escape from an
International exhibition. But many of them
accept as you will see by the following notes
&c
EXTRACT FROM PRINCE BIsMARK's INSTRUCTION
TO THE GERMAN ENVOY AT WASHINGTON.
request you respectfully to communicate TO
the Secretary of State, Mr.. Fish, that the Ger
man Empire accerts wi b sincerest thanks the
invitation of the Government of the United
States of America to take part In the above
mentioned Exhibition. The appointment of a
Special Commission for the Exhibition, as also
OF q HleDlpOleutldIy EcSiuiuS III 1ullduetpQld.
viii therefore be made in time.
1 reserve a special communication in this
matter, and beg to be furnished with the rules
proposed under No. 10 of the general regulations
as soon as the same shall have been published.
The Chancellor of the Empire,
BISMARCK.
MR.. wESTENBERG, NETHERLANDS MINISTER
TO MIR. FISH.
have the honor to inform your Excellency
| that the Government of the Netherlands have
received this international invitation with live
| ly satisfaction, and intend to take part in the
| said Exposition by contributing productions OF
| the arts and industry of the Netherlands.
To tbi, effect Commission will be appoint
| ed in the Netherlands, and also committee to
| direct and furnish information 10 exhibitors:
IA soon as it shall be in my power shall
hasten to communicate to your Excelency The
names and quality of the persons who are to
Constitute this committee
WEsTENBERG.
Ieoatiun of the Netherlands
Belgium, Mexico, Ecuador, and Hayti have
also accepted. and the Resident Commissioner
for Ecuador has presented his credentials at
Philadelphia.
In addition to the above despatch has
been received from the Hon. Geo. p. Marsh
that the kingdom of Italy will probably ac-