The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-05

the independence Of the Republic were to DO
merely an exhibition of the industries and
products Of the nation and Of what our people
can do as artfcers and hushandmen there
would still be an eminent fitness in making 1t
a national affair Many Of the principal ma
tons have had such exhibitions, beginning
with that Hyde Park fair in London, over
twenty years ago, which was opened under
the auspices Of the Illustrious Wellington, and
ending with the Exposition at Vienna which
was opened by, among others, the hero OF
Sedan. We have seen what England, France
and Austria have been able to do in the way
Of an international fair; now we propose to
show what the United States can do. One
/ of the youngest we are among the strongest
and perhaps the most pretentious of nations.
4 Our strength and youth have long been the
wonder OF statesmen and philosophers. Why
! is it that here in the wilderness discovered by
1 the mariners of q modern Spanish monarch
there has grown up power far exceeding
that of Ferdinand and Isabella? What are
the sources of this strength, the causes OF this
growth? Upon what do these United States
rest for supremacy and greatness2 Are we
really as powerful as we claim or as our
critics fear? How have we gained wealth
surprising that of Ormus and OF Ind? How
far is this to be attributed TO the institutions
OF democracy? or does it happen from causes
altogether irrespective of politics and govern
ment forms? These are the questions we
propose to answer at the Centennial Exhibit
ton in Philadelphia, when we ask the world
to come and see what we have done in the
first century OF our independent existence.
Taken in the highest sense, there could be
no more interesting display for the growth
of the United States is problem more inter-
esting even to ourselves than to our friends
from abroad Would this country be as pros
porous as it is now had the colonial condition
remained? Would we be as powerful as a
member OF the British Empire as we are in
our independence? Would we be as great
had North America remained under French
and Spanish rule and not surrendered to the
Saxon? How far have religion and govern
ment contributed to our success? These are
questions as interesting to Us as to others, and
their answer may be said to involve the most
important issues of the next century. The
events that will make the Centennial attrac-
tive to our people are, after all, the events
about which We should care the least. Who
dwells on the glory of Bunker Hill and
Saratoga and Yorktown? They are but as the
memory of childhood dream. If the Gen.
tennial were alone the celebration of battles
and strife we could wish it over as noisy and
unwholesome affair." cherishing memories of
anger, war and struggles and hatred that
should have long since persisted. The fact
that England fought seven years to preserve
her colonies over the ocean, and continued
the combat against the odds of sea and dis
lance and difficult transportation and the
alliance of French king, who, if the truth
must be told, cared more for the downfall of
British than the exaltation Of American power
the fact that George I'LL, fool as he was,
chung with desperation to his plantations
across the seq, has always made Us respect the
tough and stubborn sovereign and the gallant
people he ruled. The Revolutionary War was
no more disgrace to the English after they
\ embarked upon it than was our own war with
the South. We gave the Southern States as
many provocations as England gave her colo
mics, and when we began to fight we fought
as resolutely as Burgoyne and Howe. We do
not think that CORVALLIS was as severe with
us as Sheridan was in the Valley or Sherman in
his march to the sea The memories of that war
have remained, even with us, the conquerors,
for generations. Even now we teach our chill
dren to regard as cold historical truth the
fervid rhetoric Of the Revolutionary orators
and journalists and to speak of George Ill as
another Pharaoh who would not let the chosen
people 20. SO far as the Centennial would be
. revival Of these memories and celebration
of our triumph over England, it would be a
trivial and not wise exhibition. The war
memories Of the Revolution should sleep un-
der the harvests Of Yorktown and Brandy
vine. for the political thought Of the next
! century IS the closer union Of the English
speaking nations In the strife among the
nations which seems inevitable, and which will
embrace the most tremendous Issues and con-
sequences, the English-speakng nations must
he found side by side. The political meaning
i Of the Centennial, 50 far as politics will enter
Y into it. viii be the better understanding OF
America with foreign nations, and especially
/ with England.
We are, therefore, pleased to see, from the
communications addressed to US by 50 many Of
the Governors Of our States, and from the
\ opinions they express in their messages, that
\ SO much interest is taken IN the Centennial.
\ If any feelings Of rivalry as to the celebration
taking place in Philadelphia bad existed they
Y Rave passed away. Philadelphia, for every
reason, should be the city Of the celebration.
Philadelphia is the home OF the Declaration.
1t vas the first capital Of The Republic, and
SO far as New York is concerned Philadelphia
is SO near to it by railway, and 50 closely in