Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-03-21

and engineers can tell us we have OBJ
tanned. We have studied the merits |
and carefully studied the errors Of for
mer exhibitions. We shall not attempt |
architectural follies and extravaganza. !
The Vienna dome cost half 4 million OF |
dollars. We can have beautiful and
proper building without that feature.
Our carefully-prepared estimates show
that We can successfully conduct the
exhibition for less than 100000.
This estimate covers contingencies, but
to still further provide for possibilities
we put the aggregate at sS,OOO,OOO.
With tolerable success in the absence of
any epidemic in 1876, our receipts at
the gate and from rents and concessions
of various kinds, ought to be S2,5OO,OOO.
This is the lowest estimate. This, with
Sl,5O0,O00 already secured, make 3d.
100000. Should Congress give us
s5,000,000, making in all S7,OOO,OOO,
our wiSest advisers, business men of
wealth and great experience are abso-
lutely confident that the American peo-
pie will rally with enthusiasm to the
enterprise, and subscribe to the stock
whatever may be needed in addition.
The experience of other exhibitions
/ leads us to feel sure that we can sell the
buildings at the end for at least one-fifth
| Of what they cost us, OF say sl,OOG,0Oo.
TIE MONEY is NOT WASTED.
Money spent in exhibitions of this
! character is not wasted for show. The
American people do not known their
own country The commissioners be-
leive that no foreigner would be more
delighted and surprised by full and
symmetrical exhibit Of our condition and
resources than would our own citizens.
In three tourths of the field we may
confidently challenge comparison with
any nation. Are we so vain then that
we cannot bear to acknowledge superb
ority in anything Let us be glad to
see that which surpasses our own work
and stimulates us to higher efforts,
Great Britain received some lessons in
these exhibitions between 1858 and
1867, that surpassed and even wounded
her, but she proiited by them.
BETTER THAN AMNESTY BILLS.
| add final consideration, but by no
means the last. These exhibitions hon
or labor harmonic labor and capital,
fraternize nations, better the world.
Within their walls the farmer, mechan-
ic, artisan, and manufacturer are the
kings. They are magnifcently demo-
cratic. no matter who conducts them
They are the prophets and pathfnders
of day of better things, and what
mankind has of energy, skill, and genius
is to be devoted to the benefit Of man
kind, not slaughtering them. In this
country we have peculiar need, not
only for two days Of orations and bell
ringing to bring forth $4,000 visitors,
but of a six months friendly intercourse
in the comparison Of our past and our
present. bringing together four, five, or
six millions OF people from all parts OF
the land, in a place and under assocla-
tons that will renew an old fashioned
patriotism. Some of our best friends In
this matter are our brothers who were
our most terrible enemies few years
ago. heN, TOO, WISH 10 ste 'ilS 4'"'Ni
lean people coming together, face to
face, and shaking hands around indie
pendence Hall. A six months camping
at Philadelphia in 1876 will be worth a
thousand amnesty bills. 1t will be very
cheap at $3,O00,O00. | think we can
afford it. Having for three years pro
claimed to the world that we are to
have national and international eXhi-
bition, and invited all nations to a
friendly assemblage, being just in the
act of receiving their cordial accept
ance, | feel very sure that we certainly
cannot now afford to give notice to all
the world that this matter is going to
cost us something, and on the whole,
we have such serious doubts Of our own
honesty and ability that we have con-
Guided to back out early.