The Portland daily press., 1874-04-23
The Centennial Exhibition.

1T is right that the people OF the United
States should know that the day and year which
closed the century of American Independence
July 4, 1876-will be commemorated with Ger.
emonies expressive of the gratitude and pride
of great nation; and, in accordance with the
act of Congress of June l, 1872, which created
the Board of Finance, the following report is
made over the signature Of the President of the
board:
The original law of Congress, enacted March
3, 1871, provided for 'the celebration of the
Centennial of American Independence by an
international exhibition of the arts, manufac-
lures, and natural resources of this and other
countries, under the auspices of the govern
ment of the United States
And the act OF June 1, 1872 fixed the capital
to complete this great commemoraton at $10,-
100000, which was by the Commissioners APP
portioned among the several States and Terri
tories on the basis of population.
Of this sum the State of Pennsylvania alone,
aided by a subscription of 100000 from the
State of New Jersey, has raised in the form of
subscriptions to the stock and by appropriations
from its Legislature aud the Councils of Phils-
dephia, about $4,00O,0OO, or nearly one-half
the amount necessary to insure success. This
provision having been made, designs for suita-
BILE buildings were approved, and other prelim-
mary and incidental arrangements have so far
advanced as to justify an immediate commence
ment of the work of construction.
The Commissioners have appealed to the
these subscriptions, appropriations. and prepar-
atoms, to maintain the spirit of the two laws
above referred to, and the correspondence of
the State Department with foreign powers has
induced the governments of the Netherlands,
Belgium. Switzerland Germany, Sweden, Lii
IBERIA, Ecuador, the Argentine Confederation
Chill, Mexico, Hayt, and the Sandwich Isla aus
to express their intention to participate, and
they nave every reason to believe that this APP
peal to Congress will be generously responded
to. :
Subscriptions to the stock have also beEn
resi- Sc x limos ss ss6rasks and
Indiana. Nevada, Oregon, California Louis
lana, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Arizona, New Jersey, Delaware,
Rhode Island, Arkansas, Alabama, New York,
Virginia, Iowa and Kansas.
Such in brief is the condition of the organi-
cation for the international commemoratiOn of
the close of the century of American Indepen-
dence
The city of Philadelphia was selected as the
birth of American lndepence for the re asons:
1. That from Philadelphia the Magma Charta
of human liberty, the immortal Declaration,
was uttered. The buildings in which the con-
vention sat remained substantially as they were
on on that historic day; and
2. OF all the points of Revolutionary inter-
est, Philadelphia is the most central and Access
sible to the whole country. 1t is the Republics
celebration of its birthday at the very place of
its birth.
Tba vi eli
countrymen to keep in mind the great fact that
the event to be cOmmemorated is the grandest
and most momentous in history, that the CON-
memoration is to take the form of an exhibi
tIon OF the stupendOus progress made W the
American people in the first hundred years of
their independence, in everything relating to
the natural resources of the country and their
development, and, especially, its progress in
those industries, arts, and institutions which
benefit mankind,
enter into that exhibition-how vast the build
ings and the space required to present them
with full effect, are suggestions that need only
to be mentioned to bring home to every Amer
lean the colossal magnitude of the undertak::
ing
Consider for moment the industries, pro-
ducts, and devices necessary to an adequate
expression OF the progress of your own State,
and the space that will be essential to their
full presentation, and you can hardly fail to
area in the exhibition buildings and grounds
equal to that occupied at Vienna by England
or France. This Is true Of not less than ten of
the older States The other twenty-seven
States and ten Territories will each of them
require space in proportion.
That the stock of the Centennial Board of
Finance might be within the reach of every
citizen, the Congress of the United States fixed
every share at $40, which will be represented
by handsome steel engraved certificate, exc
NY h. Tran - Al n
eminent, and flttingly designed in commemo-
ration OF the event. The board in soliciting
subscriptions to its stock feel assured that there
is patriotic desire to render the exhibition
worthy of the occasion.
Notice is hereby given that checks and drafts
can be addressed to the Financial Treasurer.
Frederick Fraley, No. 9O4 Walnut street, Phil,
adelphia, for any number of shares, at $40
each, and certificates of stock will be promntlv
returned The International exhibition wiil
commence on the 10Th of April, 1876, and close
on the 18th of October, 1876
The undersigned, President of the Board of
Finance speaking for bis colleagues and he
believes, for the great body of the American
people,, oes not doubt the answer of that peo
pie to this earnest appeal. They are not un-
mindful of the patriotic interest iu the Cen
tennia of their own independence nor of the
high duty of honoring ii as it deserves. Phila-
delphia, the scene OF the immortal Declaration
not only in the old hall where it was written.
anu WutHCc ~ Wdo pIoCidiutu, DuC In the eX-
tensive park where the exhibition is to be held.
sacred as the resort of Washington and the
Revolutionary worthless, has given many times
her share to the memorial. 1t is not her cele-
bration--it is the nations. History has sim
ply designated that city as the spot where the
national sentiment can be historically express
ed Every other city and State is inspired by
tne same sentiment. Every man and woman,
north and South, is stirred by the sam. i'm
purse, All the people of the earth are earnest |
work, therefore, is at once national and infer |
national; IL reaches every class and every in |
terest. 1t will be the most remarkable com
parlson and interchange OF ideas and inven. |
lions, of art and science. of the proc ncf If the
earth, the BRAIN and the hands-tbe most |
friendly and complete intercourse between the |
races of all countries in modern civilization II |
IS impossible to believe that any portion of the
American people will hesitate to unite in what |
is sacred memory and sacred obligation.
JOHN WELSH