The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-02
PHILADELPHIA and the Centennial.

The citizens of Philadelphia are just waking
ND to the fact that they nave started out on a
biq sho,c and to save being disgraced must carry
ont their own plans instead of sh: fling the Job
off on to Congress. This is right and we are
glad to see them moving in the right way
Philadelphia is great city and must be very
greatly benefited by the Exposition. 1t behoves
them to be up and DOING. Last Wednesday
evening they held monster meeting in favor
of the Centennial. The meeting and speeches
were fully reported The Philadelphia Press
speaks of it edtorially as follows:
Philadelphia was never the scene of a greater
popular demonstration than that OF last even
ing, held to show Congress and the country the
abiding hold the Centennial scheme has upon
the hearts of our people, and their stern resolve
that it shall not fail. All classes and conditions
were epresented-merchants and mechanics,
professional men and artisans Whole regi-
| mepts of skilled laborers marched to the
| meeting headed by bands of music and carry
| ING flags and banners. Horticultural Hall was
denselv crowded packed better expresses our
meaning-in both visions. and thousands who
| could not gain admission gathered in the street
outside and listened, despite the cold wind that
swept the thoroughfare, with eager interest to
the speeches made from the steps, appaudng
every patriotic sentiment and every appeal for
| action. Indeed the enthusiasm was dnbounded
|
We can recall No demonstration worthy of
comparison with it, except some of the popular
| uprisings during the war. There was this diff
ference, however: The object of last evening S
meeting was not to stir up strife or to advance
| war purposes, but III the interest of peace and
to promote a cause sacred to every American,
| and which, consummated, will unite all Sec
tons of the land in the lasting ties of fraternity.
The eloquent and earnest speeches that were
made, as well graphic report of al else
that was said and done, are printed in e1tenso
| elsewhere. After them words will have
little weight, and we have but few to add. Two
| points, however, were So strongly emphasized
as to imperatively call for comment:
First. That the nation has, through the cts
of Congress, the proclamat,ons of the Presi-
dent, and the invitations to foreign nations,
many of them already accepted, so far CON-
| mitted itself to an International exhibition as
feature of the celebration, that it cannot re
trace its steps, and that to do so at this time
would be dishonorable to ourselves and dis
graceful in the eyes of the world.
Second. That Philadelphia and Pennsyl-
vania, their patriotism having been kindled
and their pride aroused, in the alternative OF
Congress Withdrawing its sanction and refus-
ing its assistance will themselves celebrate the
grand anniversary of freedom in fitting man
ner, cost what 1t may. and invite the peoples OF
all lands to share in the festival. The burden
would perhaps be heavy one, but no load
could fall on more willing shoulders.
To-day the work of subscribing TO the stoch
of the Centennial begins anew, and it will "
prosecuted in every workshop, counting room
factory, and Office in the city. The people have
taken the matter IN charge.