National Republican., 1874-05-08

would At least be rescued from the imputation
Of dscarding Its own act. In the meanwhile,
you win ask what js the possible position of the
Centennial Board Of Finance and the Centennial
commissioners, representing the different States
and Tsrritories, appointed by the President Of
the Utited States on the Recommendation of
the dihefent Governors. The answer to that
questios is in the hands Of our distinguished
fellow citizen, John Welsh, and his associates,
and wifi prokably be delivered at the next an
nual mbeting of the commissioners in PhIladel-
phfa on the Goth instant. The dilemms Is grave,
and demands caution, sagacity and courage.
1t Is N fact SO grave as to constrsin prompt
action either on the part of the Finance Board
and the Centennial commissioners or oo the
part OF the Executive. Bear In mind that
Pennsylvania has never beeu intrusive. She
would have raised the entire amount herself
had she not been stricken by the paralysis of
the September panic. As It Is, she has accu-
muiated more than two thirds of the money
necessary to finish the great work. She has
asked the Government to take possession of
her money and the management of the whole
Centennial, by appointing the ablest officers of
the army In the ex ecutiye Centennial organiz-
alton.
She called forth her first and purest citizens
to collect these funds and to lay the early
foundations Of the magnificent enterprise. The
City Councils of Philadelphia and the Legisla-
ture of the State have voluntarily contributed,
with the aid of her people, nearly 5000, 900
two millions more than the sum refused to-day
by the representatives of A, ,00O, 900 of Ameri-
cans In Congress assembled. This latter ap-
preparation was called for only when the Sep
tember panic made it necessary that Pennsyl-
vania should lean on the parent Government.
How light bargain 1t would have been may
be realized by the statement that divided
among the whole population It would not be
seven cents, or three and half cents to each
individual in the two years preceding the
Fourth Of July. That Pennsylvania will bear
herself up proudly to-day, as she has borne her
selfproudly within the last year, do not ques-
ton. Perhaps she may have to celebrate the
Centennial alone; perhaps she may have to res
cue the national faith by her individual act,
but 1 am quite sure that, although sorely
wounded in the house of her own friends, she
will decide the case with proper dignity, con-
vinced that whoever is to blame her hands are
clean and her reputation unsullied.
wv. F.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE VOTE IN PHnA-
DELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA, May Tin the common
branch of the councils to-day the announce
ment that the Centennial bill had passed the
House created considerable applause, where
upon a resolution was passed requesting the
Centennial Board of Finance to take immedI.
ate preliminary steps for the issuing of con-
tract for building the machinery hall and con-
seryatory. This resolution passed into the Sc
lect branch for concurrence, but by the time it
was called up the accurate news as to the &C
tion of Congress had been received. The re-
suit OF this was the reference Of the resolu-
ton to the committee on Centennial. The ac-
ton of Congress is universally denounced here