The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-25
Maine in the Centennial.

TO the People of the State Of Maiae:-The
undersigned, having been appointed by the
President of the United States and the Cover
nor of Maine a board to supervise and care for
the interests of the state in the approaching
Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, respect
fully submit to the public the following sug-
gestions as pertinent to the subject.
In 1876, a hundred years will have passed
since the first Congress gave official utterance
to that immortal resolution that "these united
colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent states" An act which by It's
boldness and temerity astounded the world,
was through Gods providence crowned with
complete success. We can never know as they
knew the emotions which astated the bosoms
of those whose deeds it is our privilege to ad-
mire and commemorate. The indignant re-
sentiment which blazed with the musketry of
Lexington and Bunker Hill--the thrill of joy
and exultation which came from Bennington
and Saratoga-the depression and misery OF
Valley Forge-the triumphant rapture of York
town-these we but family imagine. But our
hearts must swell as we remember that such
scenes were, and that they carried with them
not only the fortunes OF the immediate actors,
but of their posterity for all time. 1t becomes
us to give to these men and their great deeds
all the recognition and honor that lies in our
power. Theirs the task to plant in doubt, in
sorrow and privation-ours the privilege to
harvest in confidence, in gadness and affiu-
ence In the lapse of time the work begun by
| our sires 1has been reared by the sons to
men of '76. TO the conquest of arms has been
added the acquisition of new territory, and the
subjugation Of the dominion of nature-state
has been added to state and ocean linked with
| ocean, until we stand before the world respect.
ed and feared by the mightest of its powers.
| Can we who are permitted to enjoy the blessed
| fruit of the tolls of the revolutionary fathers,
| who claim from them the lineage of blood aud
| the heritage of fame, contemplate all this with
| out glow of patriotism and thrill of honest
| pride? Clearly, we ought not to permit the
| year 1876 to pass without a recognition which
| shall tell to the nations of the earth that we
understand and appreciate our birthright
The location of the celebration will be at the
| city of Philadelphia, where still stands indie
| pendence Hall, containing the bell that pealed
| the notes of freedom to the laud, and where
| were initat the stirring scenes OF the reyou-
| ton. The state of Pennsylvania and the city
| of Philadelphia have made most liberal appro-
| priations in aid of the celebration. In the
| magnificent Fairmount Park will be erected the
| buildings of the Centennial, including superior
| accommodations for every department OF the
| exhibition. These buildings will cover forty
| acres of ground, will be elegant in architectu-
| raj design, and combine the best fruits of the
| experience of the managers of similar exposi-
| tioDs in this country aud Europe. In this i'm
mense space will be displayed the products of
| all the nations of the earth. Every state OF
| our Union will contribute the best and most
attractive results that its industries afford, and
| their sons and daughters will meet face to face
| with the greeting of common nationality.
Next to the grandeur of the occasion the
magnitude of the undertaking and its now as
| sured success challenge our admiration. The
| spirited and friendly rivalry of the states OF
our Union will be called forth TO make the oc-
| casion for each worthy of itself. All the di'
yersites af our varied climate will be shown
by the productions of each; all the results of
mechanical skill, of cunning handwork, of
patient industry, of valuable invention,-all
that makes elegant our homes that contributes
/ al,
that increases wealth. that lightens labor or
recompenses toil-wiil each have its part.
This occasion will be not only national but
international All the countries of the world
have been invited to participate, and a very
large number have already signifed their ac
ceptance. Wares from the teeming workshop:
of the Old World will be there displayed. Eng
land, France, Germany, Belgium, Russia, lta
ly and all European countries will be repre-
sentej, as well as Asia with its famous fab
RIGS; South America, Japan, the islands of tn
Pacific and Australia.
In this grand celebration the peeple of th
state of Maine are invited and expected to hay
their part. As one of the sisterhood of state.
that form the glorious Union, we ought not +
permit the occasion to draw near without prep
arations for its proper recognition. We hav
an intelligent, active and inventive population
we have manufactures that WOULD do credit t
any country in the world; we have uncounte'
resources of SOIL mine and forest. 1t need
only resolve on the part of those who contro
these-a resolution which shall declare tina
Maine must be worthy of herself on this grea
occasion-to make an exhibit of which ever
son and daughter of the Dirigo State shall b
proud We hope that our people will TAX
this matter iuto serious consideration and max
! | preparations in the coming season for the
Contributions to Mane's department in the eS
, hibition.
At future day, directions will be given i
relation to bringing contributions to the motto
of the Maine Commissioners
CHARLES p. KrMBALL, U. s. Com. and Pre-
ident.
JOSHUA NYE, U. S. Com.
: j. FL. MCMILLAN,
+. L. SHAW,
: f. A. SPRAGUE,
I CIV. RoBERTs.
4 w. III. SIMPSON, Maine Directors.
: ENoCH KNIGHT Secretary, 95 Exchange 81
Portland.