New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-25
THE GREAT EXHIBITION.
LETTER FROM THE HON, JOHN JAY.


70 the Editor Of the TrtbHne.
SIR. The recommendation of the President
IN ms recent messagwbich has been happily enforced
nv the governmental visit TO Paramount that
,nore ma oual Importance ~ gwen To the EXHIBITION by
suoh le such appropriations a. viii insure II
succes brings again the attention OF Congress and
The country and tie last time before the Govern
oenf. md nations the world shall assemble by their
representatives ~ Philadelphia, celebrate the hrthye
~ the Republic the question what ~ ought be the
.hsraeter o. our Centennial celebration Whcer the
local aaro private corporation with which the Gov
ernreut has no connection, n national festival aug
meuted and controlled by the Government, and FOR the
management Of which the Government Is ana ought 70
be responsible Upon this point. unfortunately Tor the
completeness ~ the arrangements and for The national
prestige the Legislative and Executive branches of the
Government appear have occupied positions o. direct
aoaronsu almost from the aurat0n o. the scheme;
and II seems especially regrcttablo that such anaSo
nsm should have al time when the attention OF
the world bad been directed by invitation TO the
practical operation OF republican Government and
when desirable thar t might witness he hsrDOni
Ous working OF institutions with a due subordina-
ton to the authority Of Law.
Congress 10y first 1871 had SVEN 20 the Cen
teuuial governmental character. by cnactng that ii
should held under the auspices of the Government
OF IN, United states" After the OF the Procaua-
ton letters OF invitation, the Executive 1873
have resolved for that have never been
explained to refuse it suspicious recognition.
ner described by Gov Jewell, that the Centennial Com
mission was "a private corporation with which the
National Government had no connection. OF the con
fusion created in foreign lands by this unexpected
the country has been but imperecily al
v-ed the official correspondence has never been Laid
booge It, Vague rum0rs Of GOODNESS and ind Terence On
the rar Of certain courts, followed by reports OF
suspicion aud apathy be part OF foreign manutac-
turers who proposed 70 become exhibitors but who,
with sharp rceolections OF the private exhibition in
New-YOk 1898 and o tine sale OF goods of exhibitors
t. pay the debts Of the corporation. shrunS from
repetition Of that painful experience These ruInors
tended doubts, hcsitancy, ana Gstrust anoh-
our own people and these feelings we're not diminished
bv the silence of the Government aud he entire absence
OF all explanation Congress FOR these reasons and that
they may fully understand the situation viii doubtless
deem due alike their niy and 10 tha; Of The
Executive well rs u the Centennial Commissioners WHO
have been virtually denounced as prctenders TO a
national character which they NOS entitled, and
lastly the American people, 10 call for the entire CORE
spondence Then the will know precisely where
We stand and how far honor his been pledged
10 foreign governments Tor the proper management OF
the celebration and what has been the response OF
foreign powers cordial invitation % ASSIST In COM
renornt NJ the birth of the Republic To such course
the President presumed viii gladly accele,
lesue the people what they have right To know,
and as aforalis President the opportunity OF
thoroughly explaining the grounds Of his statement 10
foreign governments ~ regard 10 this celebration
The character and significance of his announcement 70
thu car ana the request with which il ace0mpa-
MED and which at 81 Petersburg was received with
suris, viii Justify the part OF the Presiden; and the
Cabinet the fsInk,st OF explanations with statement
OF the cons ltonal grounds which The Attorney
General held the Executive to be ~ liberty 10 inter
pic the acts Congress deprive the celebration OF
it, character and 70 declare The Centennial Com
mission private body and with reference also 10 the
principles precedenls in international law which the
President regards making IL courteous and proper 70
~
auryate corporation with which the American Govern
n.ent declined an connection. The President VII per
haps tie readily embrace this opportunity OF pub
lcy vndeang his action from the suggestion that has
been thrown with sort Oi petesc Cd authority that
tn Government Lad pur oscy kept the people in the
dark ia regard refusal Of Russia 30 accept tie ny
tation a. presented by Gov. Jewell. Tie hel05c for
September. monthly magazine published az Washing /
ton. anI which sometimes assumed abroad 10 Oe an
official organ of the Executive, from The TACT That IL s
gfatutously furnished Dy 81 It's foreign
sgeus audes Co the reference in former letter 70 THE
TAIICNE tie tact That Russia had declined TO come
fact long publicly known IN Europe az If the refer
ence had been uGWauated disclosure of dplo-
matte incident which tie Government had carefully /
guarded a. q secret. which ohense against
the Government to al!ude 20.
The para graph question. ratacr curious one for It's
queruIous temper It's ignorance and It's soy
env esh bad French, and hc strange idea that adj
vice should DC offered uli II Is paid for, SAYS
NJ John jaw ex Minister Resi- tent ts Austria TO /
desire 20 prove how much CA how little he knows
absut Expos Universele sic) the bringing
cut he fact That Russia would not accept our INVITA-
ten, might relrned from Offering his advice gratis
Why The Republic disturbed az the bringing Onf
the fact Russa's declining which had not been dis
closed by the diplomatic correspondence, il Is unneces
say 10 ask now of her declining has !
Beconc known; upon the grounds Of law morality
public policy. which that fact had been concealed
fon the American people The Republic throws no light
Il simply nts the publication as the Administration
had and al lud
the fart Of Ru-sias refusal The grounds Of her refusal
anu. tHis view, That Of an Administration
ournsl assumed abroad 20 be Executive
ORGAN has a significance not TO be overlooked !
The sometimes felt at the enormous power possessed
b. Executive power far greater than that Of the
constitutional gus OF EuIOpe-haye been alayed
BY the thought that the people will be promptly advised
OF his ana safety will he found against an abuse
tat power the Ol u Congress the scrutiny or
the press and TIC constant influence VI public opinion
Is desirable that people should be de-
Prived ~ the feeling OF security In England the
various ministers may De questioned in Parliament, and
information explanations asked for on all questnns
pubic interest with that convenient reminder u
their responsibility does not exist, and IL would seem To
be alike the duty and the interest OF the Government 70
fores. tae call FOR paper and correspondence on sub
jects which rightly command public attention and
where tie conduct OF the Government might nave chal-
leugud criticism.
In Europe the aim Of the Governments, IN preparing
for International exhibitions been not 20 kecc thcr
people the dark. hut give them constantly the fall
est Information and 20 their personal interest and
national pride. In this the Intelligence and expert
snoe especially Of travelled couutrmcn, would have
been Invaluable tie prompt correction Of any bluud
thaf might made And s worthy of note that the public
eXV e-s0n ~ e Eatona, disappointment That would De
caused by ,he absence of Russia was presently followed
b. pleas u news brought hy his ENcellcncy Tie new