Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-03-21
l776-CENTENNIAL-lS7o.

The Times says, editorially The
objections which have been made to the
exhibition are very vigorously and sue
cessfully answered by General Hawley. /
On the question of expense, the presi
dent of the commission states that a
grant of S3,O00,00O from Congress
would probably be all the help needed
from that quarter. Altogether the ar
gument presented by General Hawley
is a very strong one, and we must say
that we would rather see Congress give
the three millions asked for than run
the risk of seeing the whole project col
iapse. Why not settle the matter at
once ?
We append an extract from the state
ment of General Hawley, who is the
President of the L. S Centennial Com
mission
OBJECTIONS TO PROCEEDINGS.
What objections confront us Per
hapS the first is that our peculiar nation
al celebration will not harmonic with
an international exhibition. reply
that the celebration, strictly speaking,
will occupy two or three days-at the
most. week-while an exhibition held
in Paramount Park will occupy six
months. Our country went to London,
Paris and Vienna, gratefully acknowl-
edging the courtesy of powerful and
friendly nations, and with all respect for
their rulers, but our primary purposes
related to the arts and industries to be
exhibited, and not to the glorlicatlon
of their rulers or their institutions, nor
did the patriotism of those people annoy
us. Even George III. managed to an
nounce to Parliament, with kingly
courtesy, the independence Of the
American colonies. In whatsoever dis
tant waters our ships meet the English
man salutes us upon the Fourth Of July,
and the American returns the compll-
ment upon the queens birthday. 1t
does not trouble us that the Englishman
reioices in his form Of government, and
he has long passed(being childish over
our declaration of independence.
DO WE KNOW ENOUGH TO HOLD AN E1HI-
BITIoN.
Another objection, which l never
hear with patience, doubts our having
sufficient capacity and integrity in this
country to successfully conduct great
exhibition. Let us make this formal
acknowledgment, if we dare, that our
boosted hundred years OF progress, our
.,best form of government under the
sun" have so rotted our manhood that
a public enterprise, on sacred and pa
tiotic occasion, cannot be undertaken
for the fear of thievery, There are
thousands of men in this country album
dainty able to organize and easily
swing all the machinery of this eXhl5l-
ton. Look at our gigantic railroad,
commercial and manufacturing enter
prises. One of our commissioners, an
active member of the committee Oh
rlans and architecture, Gov. Straw, OF
New Hampshire, civil engineer by pro
fession, is the governing spirit OF the
Amoskeas Mills, with forty acres OF
flooring and four thousand operatives;
Daniel J. Morrell Of Pennsylvania, an
other commissioner, is superintendent OF
the great Cambria Iron w orks, at
Johnstown, Pennsylvania Another
commissioner, Mr.. Corliss OF Rhode Is
land. conducts the great manufacturing
establishment which has made his name
known wherever steam is used. An
other commissioner, Mr. Beckwith, OF
New York, represented the Chl'ed
States government most honoraDly ana
ably at the Paris exhibition OF 1867.
Another. Professor Blake, Of Connect
cut served under Mr. BecEWltL at PaIS,
aud prepared the six volumes which our
government published, reporting that
cybibition. Another commissioner MI.
Goshorn Of Ohio, who row serves as
our director general at Philadelphia,
was the successful manager for several
wears of that annual exhibition at GIN
cinnati which has grown to great pro
nortions. to the honor and profit OF all
that region of country. Alexander L.
Boteler of West Virginia, though he
went with Virginia in the great night
e-iyes his services, both as an able poll
fician and an experienced man OF bust
ness, with as ardent patriotism as II
he had been born in independence Hall.
An alternate commissioner is Asa L.
Packer of Pennsylvania, whose ability
in great enterprises everybody knows.
Charles Ii. Marshall, alternate commits
sioner, from New York city, is one OF
YOUR foremost merchants. 1t is childish
to argue question of capacity of A
mericans to conduct the greatest enter
prises with unsurpassed energy and eX-
ecutive skill. But if any additional
securities or guarantees be required, the
laws are in the hands Of Congress, which
can modify, add too, or take from, the
powers and organization Of the commits
sion and the board of finance in any
manner that seems necessary.
PREJUDlCES OF LOCALITY.
Of course prejudices of locality are to
be encountered-there are no quarrels
more bitter than those concerning the
the location of district school house.
But the sense Of the country overwhel-
minoly decides that Philadelphia is the
proper place for this celebration and
exhibition. Sentimentally it is so; as
matter of practical convenience 1t Is
hardly less so. The very best andmost
patriotic citizens of Philadelphia and
PENNSYLVANIA, extremely sensitive upon
L, =. Ls,,o dana thair very utmost