The Republican journal., 1874-12-03
Maine in the Centennial,

rc THE PEOPLE or HE STATE OF MAINE
The undersigned, having been appointed by the
President of the United States and the Governor of
Maine, Board to supervise and care for the inter
ests of the State in the approaching Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia, respectfully submit to
the public the following suggestions as pertinent to
the subject
in eighteen hundred and scvcnty-six, a hundred
years will have passed since the first Congress gave
official utterance to that immortal resolution that
these United Colonies are, and of right ought to
be, free and independent States" An act which by
its bodness and temerity astounded the world, was
through Gods providence crowned with complete
success. We can never know they knew the
emotions which agitated the bosoms of those whose
DEEDS 1t is our privilege to admire and commence
rate. The indignant resentment which blazed with
the musketry Of Lexington and Bunker Hil-the
thrill OF jov and exultation which came from Ben
nlngton and Saratoga-the depression and misery
| OF Valley Forge-the triumphant rapture OF York
town these we but family imagine But our
hearts must swell as we remember that such scenes
WERE and that they carried with them not only the
fortunes OF the immediate actors but of their pos
teflty Tor all time. 1t becomes us to give to those
men and their great deeds all the recognition and
honor that lies in our power. Theirs the task tc
plant In doubt, in sorrow and privation-ours the
privilege to harvest in confidence in gadness and
atluence. In the lapse of time the work begun BY
our sireS has been reared by the sons to structure
surprising the widest dreams of the men of &c
To the conquest of arms has been added the acqui
saion of new territory and the subjugation of the
dominion of nature-state has been added to stat,
and ocean linked with ocean, until we stand before
| the world respected and feared by the mightest O
| its powers Can who are permitted to enjoy the
blessed fruit OF the tolls of the revolutionary ia
theirs, who claim from them the lineage of hlos(
and the heritage of fame, contemplate all this with
out glow of patriotism and thrill of honest pride
Clearly, we ought not TO permit the year Is. to pas.
without recognition which shall tell to the nation.
ot The earth that understand and appreciate ON
birthright.
The location of the celebration Will be at the Gil
of Philadelphia, where still stands Independence,
Hall, containing the bell that pealed the notes
freedom to the land, aud where initiated tn,
stirring scenes of the revolution. The state o
rcnns ylvania and the city of Philadelphia have
| made most liberal appropriations in aid of the eel
ebration. In the magnificent Paramount Park will
be erected the buildings of the Centennial including
superior accommodations for every department o
the exhibition These buildings will fort,
Of ground, will be elegant in architectural de
sign and combine the best fruits of the experience
Of the managers of similar expositons in thi>
country and Europe. In this immense space will be
displayed the products of all the nations Of the
earth Every state of our union will contribute the
best and most attractive results that its industries
afford, and their sons and daughters will meet face
to face with the greeting of common nationality
Next to the grandeur eff the occasion, the magni
ia.
challenge admiration. The spirited and friendly
rivalry of the states of our Union will be called
forth to make the occasion for each worthy of itself
All the diversties of our varied climate will be
shown by the productions of each all the results Of
mechanical skill, of cunning handwork, Of patient
industry of valuable invention, - all that make
elegant our homes that contributes to comfort, that
mitigates climatic extremes, that increases wealth
that li8htens labor or recompenseS tol--will eacl
have its part.
The occasion will be net only national but inter
national. All the countries of the world have been
invited to participate, and very large number have
already sgnifed their acceptance. Wares from the
teeming workshops of the Old World will be there
displayed. England. France. Germany, Belgium,
Russia, Italy, and all European countries will be
represented, well as Asia with its famous fab
citc, and far Australia.
In this grand celebration the people of the State
OF Maine are invited and expected to have their
part. As of the sisterhood of states that form
the GLORIOUS Union, ought not to permit the occa
sion TO draw without preparations for its prop
recognition. We have an intelligent, active and
inventive population; we have manufactures that
would do credit to any country i'll the world W.
have amounted resources of soil, mine and forest
1t needs only resolve on the part of those who
control these-a resolution which shall declare that
Maine must be worthy of herself on this great oc-
caSion-to make an exhibit of which every son nd
daughter Of the Drigo State shall be proud. We
hope that people will take this matter into seri-
Gus consideration, and make preparations in the
coming season for their contributions to Names de-
paftli4e ~ e.-hib;.:nn
AT q future day. directions will be given in rea,
ton to bringing contributions to the notice of the
Maine Commissioners.
CHARLES P. KMBALL, [. 5. Com and Pres't.
JOSHUA NrE L. 5. Com.