National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-03-04

something more than Q national exhibition
was contemplated from the beginning.
Itnow appears that several 0overnments.
having received the Presidents proclama-
ton and the accompanying letter OF the
Secretary Of. State, as an invitation. have
given notice of their purpose to be repre-
scented at Philadelphia in 1875. while others
who desire to participate are In doubt as TO
whether they have or have not been 'n-
cited to do so. In 1865 the French Govern
ment, through its diplomatic representa-
tive in this city, invited the United States
to take part in the Paris exposition Of 1887
in these words, viz:
"The Government of His Majesty charges
me to give notice officially of these Aforesaid
DEGREES (referring to the DEGREES ordering the
exposition) to the Cabinet of Washington, to
invite its valuable concurrence, and to request
it to designate an authority with which the
Imperial Commission can have q direct under
standing"
1t is in order to comply with the courtesy
ordinary under such circumstances that the
Senate is now asked to pass the brief act
authorizing the President to cordially invite
foreign Governments to take part in the
Centennial exhibition, which act recently
passed the House by vote Of 2O6 to AZ.
It is not to ask the presence of crowned
heads, with costly retinues, to be enter
tanned at Government expense. as intiinated
by Mr.. Sumner, but to insure the appoint
ment of commissioners and fullrepresenta-
ton of the arts and industries of other coun-
tries for comparison with those Of our own,
of which We need not be ashamed, albeit
our national existence covers but single
century.
The Government cannot by any act Of
Congress be more fully committed to an in
ternational exhibition ,than it now is, and
the adoption Of this. supplemental act
will simply provide for the direct official
invitation which, by usage, most foreign
Governments expect, and without which
they hesitate, however kindly disposed, to
take action.
We will not at this time discuss the qucs-
ton of Congressional appropriation for
the Centennial, although the exhibitions
thus far held in Europe have been almost en-
tirely provided for by the Governments. In
the case of the Paris Exposition of 1867, the
National Government of France and the
city of Paris provided about three fifths of
the capital for the purposes Of the exhibit
ton, and the balance was made up by pri-
vate subscriptions.
The financial basis of the Austrian Inter-
national Exhibition of 1878 was as follows:
1st The sum of one million five hundred
thousand dollars was subscribed chiefly by
the trades unions of Vienna. I'd. The I'M
perial Government unreservedly appropri-
ated four and half millions of dollars, and
added to this loan. without interest, of
one and half millions, making six mil
lions derived from tho Government for the
purpose of the exhibition.
Nor will we now dwell upon the advan-
tages likely to result from such an exhibit
ton as may be held, and should be held, in
1876. Mr.. Seward, when Secretary Of State.
said of international exhibitions, in CON-
municating to Congress the United States
reports on the Paris Exposition of 1867:
Their benefcent influences are many and
widespread; they advance human knowledge
in all directions. Through the universal lam
guage of the products of labor, the artisans of
all countries hold communication; ancient
prejudices are broken down; nations are fra
ternized; generous rivalries in the peaceful
fields of industry are excited the tendencies
to war are lessened, and better understand
ing between capital and labor is fostered.
= One Of their most salutary results is
the promotion Of an appreciation of the true
dignity of labor and its paramount claims to
consideration as the basis of national wealth
AMI power. Such exhibitions have become
national necessities and duties"