The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-04
THE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL.

ENGLISH AUTHORIZATIONS CONCERNING THE PHILA-
DELPHA ExHIBITIoN-THE ENERGY OF THE
PEOPLE OF THE NEW woRLD LIKELY TO RE-
DEEM THE APATHY OF THE OLD.
From the London Times, July 24.l
We publish to-day in our outer sheet an account
OF the wonderful preparations that are being made
at Philadelphia for the international Exhibition OF
1870. We Europeans remember with somewhat
mingled sensations great many exhibitions.
generation has arisen watch knows not the first
OF the series, in 1s5l-that which used to be
spoken of pre- -eminenuy 1.-THE Great Exhibit
tion"-and the display in Paris in 1855 is also re-
ceding into the background OF time. But there
was grand show in London in 1862,
and since then the interchangeable people
at South Kensington have been always
ready to provide something varying in
quantity or quality according TO circumstances,
but called by the name OF international EXhID-
tion,n and arranged after the received models.
With the displays or Paris IN 1867, and that OF
Vienna in 1873, the type of the international eX-
hloitlon seems to have received the utmost devel-
opment or which it is capable There are limits
TO human pleasure ana human endurance, and
there is point beyond which nugeness and
universally must fail OF producing any further
effect. At Vienna tue visitor, dropping with
fatigue, lost in the endless rami1catlons OF
courts and galleries, utterly bewildered with the
multitude OF OBJECTS presented to him, from the
masterpieces OF modern art 20 pyramids Of
candles and trophies OF mustard pots, might well
think tnaC he mad had enough OF exhibitions
to last him for the term of mis- natural liie
The enormous cost OF this last enterprise and the
disappOintments which attended 1t may be con-
sidered to nave brought the European series Of
international exhibitions TO close for the pres
ent. great State organizing such display
would feel bound to 20 beyond the latest and
most elaborate example, and In Europe there is
not much enthusiasm for SO costly a rivalry. Peo-
pie generally feel that the idea has been over
'pition OF Industry which Is always open without
payment 10 whoever walks along the Bouleyards
or Regent street.
Next year the Americans Will celebrate the hun
dredth anniversary or the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. Tney desire that the memory OF this
great event ssoud be associated with some i'm
posing spectacle In the city where the represent
atives or the thirteen colonies met, ana nothing
seems so suitable as an International exhibit
ate, for the foundation of the Re-
the beginning oil new order of things for the
world at large, and, as every one knows, an In
ternauonal exhibition Is assumed to be the ma
terlal expression OF human fraternity and gooo
Will. Moreover, an exhibition Is a celebration
very well suited TO the occasion and the people.
Next year Is the centenary OF the nations birth,
and every citizen may feel desire 10 take part
IN the commentator. But q pageant which
lasts but single day and is celebrated at SIM
gle place can be witnessed by only very small
part OF the population. There are, as our cor
RESPONDENT reminds u.s. as 600, 600 people In the
United states. The city of Philadelphia itself
contains 500 900 Inhabitants, ana within a radius
or twenty miles there are IS many
more. There are 100000 people within
100 miles OF the Exhibition, and 10000, 900
within 200 miles OF IT, There are 10000
greater mobility than any other IN the world"
''It Is estimated that one-tenth OF the population
Will visit the Exhibition, and thousands Will go
again ana again" nere, tnen, Will be an enter
talnment, lasting for months, in which every enc
having a few dollars to spare can take part,
OF men and things ana picking up number OF
valuable notions, at the same time that he visits
the cradle OF the Republic and takes part In
celebration the memory or which Will ever linger
pleasantly with aim. To carry this design into
execution the Americans have set TO work with
characteristic energy, and the descriptions given
by our correspondent show that the work Is iur-
t6er advanced than in the case OF aay similar en-
terprise IN Europe But the constructions are so
extensive ana some Oh them are planned with so
ambitious view to durability tnat the time Is
certainly not too long Tor their due completion.
The Exhibition Is fortunate In having such site
as Paramount Park.
of the objects exhibited Will be correspon dinghy
nigh. IL Is TO TINS point that the Americans must
direct their energy II they wish to make their Ex-
nibltion completely SUCCESSFUL Their own pro-
ducts are unitarian rather than artistic, and the
character these present Is s9lnclentiy known
tons. some ingenious adaptations Of machinery
and a variety OF cheap aud servlceable products
OF manufacture VIII make the chiel snow in THO
calls and galleries reserved TO Itself by nation
when is still chiefly agricultural. The manufac-
turers and tradesmeu Of England ana France,
Germany ana Belgium, may be depended upon TO
send great quantities OF their wares, and, no
d9G6t 0i gooq qusV aHo not,eea IN r seeSe
Exhibitions an Increasing tendency to turn the
building into a place for the common vulgar adj
vertising OF tradesmen's goods, without the
slightest regard TO what Is supposed 10 De iur-
tnered by MISUNDERSTANDING improve
ment artistic excellence, ingenuity OF process, or
the ike. Where tradesman is allowed 70 bave o
stand dozen feet high 10 exhibit ordinary goods
wnlcn you may see IN twenty shops In oxford
street, without single new idea suggested by
tnem the public feels that there must be an ele-
ment of charatansm and Jobbery In the nature
OF these displays, ana IS repealed accordingly. ii
the Americans can do somethlng TO remedy this,
II they can not only bring valuable works OF art 10
their picture gallery, but make some seleclon
from the masses OF merchandise, goou, Dad ana
Indifferent. that will be shipped TO Philadelphia
by enterpr1sing firms they Will DO something 70
renew the usefulness and popularity OF lndpSf al
Rrkihit0ns.