The Republican journal., 1874-04-30

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one to stir the blood of every citizen hay
inc the least plide in this his native OF
adopted country. A hundred years have
come and gone since that little band of
| daring patriots, assembled in Independ-
ence Hall, signed the act declaring the
| independence Of the thirteen colonies, and
| pledged TO the success Of the work they
had undertaken their lives, their for
| times and their sacred honors" How lit
tie 1t this day we realize OF comprehend
/ the daring of that act. Viewing it calmly
and Weighing the chances Of success Or
failure it seems an act almost of madness,
and yet sublime in its heroism. The
| splendid imagery of Webster does not
| paint it III colors too strong
ON this question Of principle. while actual
| suffering was Yet atiar OFF, they (the Coonies)
raised their flag against power, TO which, for
purpose of foreign conquest and subjugation,
Rome in the height of her glory, is not to be
comparcd,-a power which has dotted over the
surface OF the whole globe with her possessions
and military posts, whose morninS-drum beat
following the sun, ana keeping company with
the hours circles the earth with one continuous
and unbrokcn strain of the martial airs of Eng
land.
BY Gods help those men prevailed,
through endurance, toll, blood and suffer
ing. \ hundred years have gone by. The
thirteen feeble colonies on the Atlantic
seaboard have grown to thirty-seven pop
ulous, enlightened and powerful States,
stretching across the tairest portion of the
continent. from Atlantic to Pacific The
feeble population of three millions has be-
come powerful nation of forty millions
Agriculture, commerce, arts, manufac-
lures flourish without precedent. The sons
have proved themselves not unworthy Of
the sires
Scarcely ANYTHING can be conceived of
more calculated to awaken enthusiasm
than the proposed national and interna-
tional observance of this great occasion
In the magnificent park at Philadelphia
Will be erected building larger than any
yet attempted. Under its roof will be as
signed place to each of the States, i'll
which to place whatever its citizens may
desire to exhibit of their productions
There VIII be the magnificent grains and
fruits of California, with her ingots of
gold, the timber Of Oregon the silver
bars of Nryada, the grains of the western
pralrlcs. the cotton. sugar and rice of the
South, the splendid iron and other manu-
features of Pennsylvania, the magnificent
products of New York. the diversified
useful and elegant manufactures of New
England. Maine will be there, gathering
from her wide territory the products of
soil, mine and the arts enough to make u
handsome and crelitablc display.
The people of Maine will be there, for
this Will be the peoples grand gala day,
and we shall want TO greet our cousins of
the SOUTH the west, the tar Pacific and the
Middle States. Cheap excursions will be
organized, and our great steamers will 90
thlther with their parties of participants
in the grand occasion-steamers that can
be homes to the passengers during their
stay. As the exhibition will open in April
and close in October, there will be ample
choice of season and opportunity for visits.
Not the least interesting feature of the
exhibition will be the progress made as
shown IN hundred years, i'll all that tends
to the comfort and security of life. mater
ial gain, economy and elegance There will
be the graceful light carriage besides the
cnnbrous affair of old the locomotive con-
trasted with the mail wagon; the Pullman
car and the numbering stage coach; The
Hoe printing press and Ben Franklin's
Ramage; the steam loom and handweav-
ing; McCormicks reaper and the hand
sickle; the patent mower and the scythe;
the sewing machine, the telegraph, gas
lights, besides the wonderful fabrics of
metal, glass, wool, cotton, silk, &c.
The countries of Europe will be there
with their products-England, France,
Prussia, Austria, Russia the nations
Of the east The teas and silks of India
and Japan will be shown by the hands that
make them
Ii there exists in any portions of our
common country the remembrance of
wrongs. real or fancied; if there be Sec
ti0nal jealousy or embittered feelings;
what more likely than an occasion like
this to calm and subdue them Looking
back over the wild waves of the stormy
past, and remembering only the sufferings
and achievement OF our common ancestry,
and the glorious possibilities which
through them we have Inherited what
room can there be for any but feelings of
brotherhood and good will
These are some OF the many reasons
that suggest themselves for making every
effort for grand success in the Centenni-
al. 1t is not SO difficult as may seem,
either in plan or execution. If it be only
received and acted upon as it should be
by the authorities and people, difficulties
Will be smoothed away, facilities will be
opened, and everything will help on the
grand occasion
The date Of the Centennial is yet two
years away, but so much is to be done that
it will be necessary to move at once. The
Committee for the organization of Maine
for her part in this national celebration
will meet next week, and it is quite time
for our people to be considering the man.
ner in which they will be represented by
the products of their skill and industry.
Our state nrida shOuld cn,1r ZIG tn nrcnar