The Republican journal., 1874-04-30
The Centennial Exhibition,

We are requested 10 publish the following
statement:
To the People of the State Of Maine
1t is Fight that the people of the United State,
should know that the day and year which closes
the century of American ndependence-Juy 4,
1S.6- will be commemoraed with ceremonies
expressive of the gratitude and pride of great
nation; and in accordance with the act of Con-
gress OF June |, 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
). 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 |, 1872 fixed the capital
to complete this great commemoration at $40
900, 900, which was by the Commissioners ap-
portioned among the several States and Terri
tories on the basis of population.
Of this sum the State of Pennsy ylyana alone,
aided by 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 and the Councils of Pha-
delphia, about 81 100000, nearly one-half the
amount necessary to insure success. This pro-
vision having been made, designs for suitable
buildings We're approved. and other preliminary
and incidental arrangements have so far adj
Vanced as to justify an immediate commence
ment of the work OF construction.
The commissioner have appealed to the Con-
gress of the United states. on the basis of these
subscriptions, appropriations, and preparations,
TO maintain the spirit of the two laws above re-
terreI to, and the correspondence Of the State
Department with foreign powers has induced
the Governments Of the Netherlands, Belgium
switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Liberia, Equa-
dor. the Argentine CuntcdrratiOn Chill, Meyi-
60, Ilayti, and the Sandwich Islands to express
their intention to participates, and they have
every reason to believe that this appeal to Con-
gress will be generously responded 10.
subscriptions to the stock have also been
made by individuals in the States and Terri
tories of Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Montana,
Indiana, Nevada, Oregon, California, louisiana
Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin. Michigan,
Arizona, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island
Arkansas, Alabama, New York, Virginia, Iowa
and Kansas.
Such'in'bricf is the condition of the organiza-
ton for the international commemoration of
the close Of the century Of American ndepen-
dence.
The City Of Philadelphia was selected "a the
most fitting locality at which to celebrate the
birth Of American Independence for the rea-
sons
L. That from Philadelphia the Magma Charta
of human liberty, the immortal Declaration,
was uttered. The buildings in which the con
vcntion sat remain sub >tuntially as they were
on that historic day; and
,. OF all the points Of Revolutionary interest,
Philadelphia is the most central and accessible
to the whole country. 1t is the Republics eel
ebration OF its birthday at the very place of its
birth.
The Finance Board earnestly urge their fel-
fow-colntrymcn TO keep in mind the great fact
that the event to be c0mmemOrated is the
grandcst and most momentous i'll history, that
the comlnemOration is to take the form of an
exhibition Of the stupendous progress made by
the American people i'll the first hundred years
Of their Independence, in everything relating
to the natural resources of the country and
their development, and, especially, it, progress
in those industries, arts, ana institutions which
benefit mankind.
How diversified arr the objects which must
enter into that eNhbition-hoW vast the build
ngS and the space required TO present them
with full effect, are suggestions that need only
to be mentioned to bring home to every Ameri-
can the colossal magnitude of the undertaking.
Consider for a moment the industries, pro-
duets. and devices necessary to an adequate eX-
preston of the progress OF your own State, and
the space that will be essential to their full
presentation, and YOU can hardly fail to prcceive
that your state alone will require an area in the
exhibition buildings and grounds equal 10 that
occupied at Vienna by England or France.
This is true Of not hess than ten of the older
States. The other tWrnty-~eycn STATES and ten
Territories will each of them require space in
proportion.
That the stock OF iIlr Centennial Beard Of
Finance might be within the reach Of every
citizen. the Congress ot the United States fixed
every share al so, which Will be represented
by a handsome >leel-cngraVed certificate, exc
Gated by ting lr"a-ury department of the Gov
crlImcnt, and littinglv designed in commemor;t-
ton of the event. 'lhr Board. in soliciting
subscriptions To lis stock. feel assured that
there i 4 patriotic desire To- render the eNhib-
ton worthy OF the occasion.
Notice Is hereby given that checks and draft.
can be addressed to the Financial Treasurer,
Frederick Fraley. no. 994 Walnut street, Phlla-
delphi;l. for any number Of shares, at $40 each,
and certificates Of stock will he promptly re-
turned. Tie International Exhibition will
commence on the 18th of April. 1876, and close
ON the 10Th OF October, 1876.
The undersigned, President Of The Board Of
Finance, speaking for his colleagues, and, he
believes. for the great body of the American
people does not doubt the answer Of that
people to this earnest appeal. They are not
unmindful of the patriotic interest in the Cen
tcnnial Of their own Independence, nor Of the
high duty of hOnoring it ~ it deserves. Phila-
delpha the scene of the immortal Declaration,
not only in the Old hall where it was written
and whence it was proclaimed, but in the en-
tensiye 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 l. atoms. History has simply
designated that city a. the spot where the ma
tiOnal sentiment can be Historically expressed.
Every other city and state j, inspired by The
same sentiment. Every man and woman, North
and south, is stirred by the same impulse. AN
the people Of the earth are earnest spectators
and students Of our progress. The work there
fore, is at once national and international. il
reaches every class ana every interest. 1t Will
be the most remarkable comparison ana inter-
change of IDEAS and inventions, of art and
science, of the products of the earth, and brain,
and the haad,-the most friendly and complete
intercourse between til" race, Of all rouurr,
in modern civilization. ii is impossible 10 be-
liele that any portion of the American people
Will hesitate 10 unite i'll what is -ucrcd
memory and II sacred obligation.
JOHN WELSH,
President of the Centennial Board of Finance.