New-York tribune., 1874-05-16
TIE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.

Whatever may be said of the particular plan
of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of
our independence as nation by an Indus
trial Exposition at Philadelphia, we believe
there is throughout the country very friendly
feeling toward the enterprise. We have no
idea that there is anywhere feeling OF Jeal-
ousy of it, or any disposition to put obstacles
IN the way of its success; on the contrary, we
are confident that every reasonable measure
devised by its friends to carry 1t forward VIII
receive the hearty cooperation of all the peo-
ple Nothing could be more obvious than the
need of strengthening this public sentiment
This, rather than any lame dependence upon
Government aid, should be the aim of the
projectors and friends of the Exposition and
to this they should give their immediate
attention, rather than to any scheme for Sc
curing an appropriation from Congress.
We take leave to say, moreover, that the in
hated rhetoric with which some of the advo-
Gates of Congressional aid are visiting their
indignation upon Congress and the country
on account of the failure of the appropriation,
is not only maudlin and silly but positively
damaging to the enterprise. The people, as
we have said, view the Exposition with fa-
ways to make it a success. But in the pres
ent condition of affairs they are not in favor
of apprOpriating one, two, or three millions
for it from an already Over-taxed treasury.
1t is idle to say that their representatives in
Congress misrepresented them in defeating
the appropriation. Congress has done no
wiser thing this session. so far from its action
being false to the popular wish, it has done no
thing that more clearly reflects public sentiment
or that is more universally approved Doubtless
these enthusiastic gentlemen are sincere in
their belief that Congress has by its previous
action made it so much national affair that
it cannot refuse pecuniary aid without some-
thing like breach of faith. That, however,
is not tho general impression. Until the
President of the Centennial Commission an
nounced from his place in Congress the pur-
pose to call on the Government for three or
four millions, there was no suspicion-at least
none that was general-that the Exhibition
was to be burden upon the Treasury. The
immediate response to this announcement, from
all parts of the country, and from press that
before had been, almost without exception.
favorably disposed towards it, was expressive
of surprise and disapprobation. Congress sim
ply gave voice to public sentiment in refusing
to make the appropriation.
In this state of things it is idle to talk, as
some of the Philadelphia newspapers have
been doing, about "rescuing the public faith"
the blow delivered us from Washington"
"repudiated promises" " false economy and
"false craftsmanship" and all that sort of
nonsense. 1t does not help the cause, but is
rather calculated to give Offense to the people
upon whom the project must depend for
Success. In the deliberate opinion of Congress,
and, back of Congress, of q people burdened
with taxes and not over-prosperOus, the
country cannot affOrd-laying aside fall other
consderations-to make appropriations for such
an object. Gen. Hawley's appeal the other
day in the House, eloquent and magnetic as
it no doubt was, was yet no more than the
plea of an advocate. To talk about "the
"paltry sum" of million or two to q Con-
gress that has spent days and weeks econo-
MIXING the expenditures of Government
in matters of few thousands, did
not show the best of judgment, nor
was the charge of lack of patriotism
against those who opposed the bill either true
or in the best of taste. A man may be decent
citizen, and his opinions be worthy of respect,
who-consdering that the country is strug-
Cling with an immense debt, that the
resources of craftsmanship are vainly taxed to
devise measures of financial relief, that we
are suffering from an irredeemable currency,
and that extravagant appropriations arc an
evil and curse-believes it inexpedient to
add one or two millions to tho burden Of our