The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-05-21
The Centennial.

The discussion on the proposed appropriation
in aid of the Centennial celebration OF American
Independence, is becoming somewhat bitter. its
opponents call it a swindle, and but the begin
ming of raids Hpon the National Treasury IN
its behalf. Congressman Cobb, of this State,
has made sharp speech against 1t, which Is
commended by most of the Kansas papers, and
condemned by few. Cobb stated facts which
cannot he denied, aud is certainly not open to
censure that account But we hare thought
that Congress might afford to appropriate the
money, and the amount from some of tho
many steals that are constantly being allowed
such as subsidies to steamship and railroad mo-
nopoics; extra pay to swindling mail contractors:
who have already been oyerpaid for their work ;
fraudulent claims, and innumerable other steals,
aggregating millions of dollars every year.
The hundredth anniversary of the Declaration
of Independence has been eagerly looked for
ward to for years, by the American people, and n
grand day of jubilee of the entire nation has
been anticipated. II should be a matter of pride
with the Whole people, and not be regarded rs a
pet scheme of the State Of Pennsylvania or the
city of Philadelphia. There Ocrasions in the
lives of nations, as well as in the lives of msn,
when they are justified in iudulging in a little
extravagance. ant this ill be one of the occa
siuns in the life of onr nation.
Philadelphia is grand and noble city, of which
any nation might be pron,l; and her citizens
have subscribed munifcenty i'm aid of the cele-
bration. The city of Philadelphia was honored
as the Capital of the American Confederation,
and for some years as the Capital of the United
States Government. She suffered for it, by be-
ing oyerrun with the British army during the
Revolution; but during all those dark and
gloomy years. while she was the headauarters of
the British army, she remained true to the cause
of Independence, and it was not found necessary
to purge and entirely reconstruct her after the
retreat of the enemy. Philadelphia has done her
full share towards sustaining the Government;
she has always been loyal; and she has never
pcrpetrated a steal upon the National Treasury.
If the Centennial is permitted to fail, it will be
source of regret for the next hundred years,
hard as it seems to give the money now.
Col. Cobb east up to some of the advocates of
the appropriation, that when the West, only a
few days before, had asked for more currency to
relieve their depressed business interests, it had
been refused them. This was unquestionabIy
true; but some of the strongest advocates of the
currency bill were from Pennsylvania; and
Pennsylvania mas almost always stood with the
West. Because the East has dealt unfairly by
the West, it is why the whole nation
should be humiliatcd.
We have warm side and deep reverence for
the city of Philadelphia, and we want to see her
pride gratifed by the nation doing itself honor
on its grandest anniversary. We say, aid the
Centennial, even if it be necessary to strain
point and TO deprive public thieves of their
regular rations for the next two years.