Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-03-13
The Centennial Celebration.

] That the hundredih anniversary 81 tHo
declaration Of American independence Will
be celebrated i beyond question. The
nation will celebrate that day wherever
/ there are Americans enough together TO
saw we" But whether there will be any
one great central celebration, which shall
eclipse all others and be in an especial sense
the national tribute Of honor TO the day, Is
Iv no means settled. The Philadelphia
scheme does not prosper according 10 the
hone. Of it. projectors The idea Of raising
ten millions among the States by . volun-
/ tarv stock subscription seems, chimerical
enough. in the present condition Of the
country, and has proved wholly futile. 30
DOW the aid Of Congress j. invoked in a bill
which fxe- the character Of the exhibition
q grand international exposition, and Is
understood to be the forerunner Of bill ap-
propriatinr $4,000. 600 to begin with in aid
/ Of the exhibition. In the debate on this
/ bill in the senate. on Tuesday. Mr.. Sargent
OF California. opposed the bill, on the
grounds. among other considerations, that
/ the L. ;. Treasury j. in no condition to
spare money for such a purpose. Mr..
/ Morrill, of Vermont moved TO strike out the
provision authorizing the President to
! invite the governments of other nations to
be ropre~eutei and take part in the Inter
national Exposition. and insert therefor
provision authorizing the President to ex-
tend a respectful and cordial invitation to
the Governors of each one of the United
States TO be represented and take part in
the national exhibition 10 be held al Phila-
delphia.
Mr.. Morrill, said If VIC were to have an
international exhibition it should be held
in New York. where the representatives, OF
other Governments would be introduced 10
our country in one of the most magnificent
bavs of the world. In that city the accom-
modation~ would be sutici mt FOR the crowd,
while in Philadelphia n attendance OF
1000 persons would exh. .ust IT. hotel &C
cornuolati0nS An inter national exhibit
ton. to Dc a success. shou ID have at least
10000 visitors every day. lie said 1t seemed
10 he the universal iudg ment. outside Of
PENNSYLVANIA. that If the exhibition should
be international il w1uld be failure,
while a. a national one 1t might be a
success
The Pennsylvania Senators opposed the
amendment. Is calculated to change the
whole character Of the affair.
Mr.. Conklinr said As the bin stood II
meant thar The commissioners should 20 on
with the enterprise and the United States
would foot the hill. invite every land and
3 lta- s4. sg|l s1fa- o
/ seas and briar their works. the United
States paAir- the expenses lie would vote
! for she Amendment.
/ Mr. No will said MS object ia introducing
/ the amer imcnt was friendly o. the exhlhl-
ricn. an 4 the meaning of IL was 10 save az
/ least : 10 900 900 10 the Treasury OF the
United States.
Mr.. Ferry. Of Connecticut. saIi this bll
was here under "a false pretcncc. II the
I Cent snnial Commission had come directly
% G. 0ngre-s and asked an appropriation OF
| $40 900 600. and the good faith OF the GoY-
I ern' neut had been pledged, he would nave
y0J ! for the appropriation, but 70 mere IN
/ VII foreign potentateS. Tor the purpose OF
/ cn uniting Congress, and then ask lor an
( a{ propriatiou. he did not regard a an hon
ct effort. lie (Ferrv) was IN favor Of the
] greatest cele lration on the 18th OF July OF
shat year that the country had ever seen,
F ON 5ha, day he wanted t. zee the North and
South come 5gcther and bury every bloody
+ memory Of the past the East and the " ct
{ forget That hey have conflicting Interests,
/ and all give thanks u God for the goodiy
! heritage. JET Us by our fathers.
! Mr. Morrill,, Of Ne, said It was manifest,
( to-day. that an international exhibition
would be failure unieSS Congress took il
in hand. To some extent. the country was
[ pledged D make il an International affair
and, if r was go be such. the government
I must Ia e complete charge Of it.
Mr.. ameron said the exhibition should
7 be an international one. twas in Phila-
/ delphia the great events in l716 took place
and no other place would be suitable for the
cel,brg ,ion If Pennsylvania should be
( forced 70 hold the exhibition, She would
I have such a one a. would do honor 70 her
I and Mt u shame all oppo~ing.it.
" .thout reaching vote. the Senate ad-
/ iJl- ned