The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-28
WEST RUTLAND
Col. Chas H. Joyco's centennial Addre

on the "Amerlcan Centennial, in 1876"
On Saturday evening the meeting
was organized by appointment of j.
E. Manley, Esq, chairman and John
Ii. Mead secretary.
On taking the chair, Mr. Manley made
brief and graceful address upon the purpose
of the centennial, concluding by introduce
ing Col. Charles II. Joyce, who proceeded
to the delivery of an eloquent and carefully
prepared address, giving the origin, history
and object of the centennial exhibition to
be given at Philadelphia in 1876, of which
the following is summary
ABSTRACT OF col. JoYcE's ADDRESS.
The speaker began with the statement
that the object of the movement now being
made for the celebration of 1876, was to
call the attention of the people more direct
ly to the exhibition, and arouse them to
the united and vigorous action in its behalf
1t was an enterprise in which the whole
people are equally interested and benefited
No difference in politics, religion or inter-
est local jealousics or sectional strife can
come in to disturb this grand American
festival
Nearly ten years have elapsed since the pro-
priety of the American centennial began to
excite the popular consideration, but the
discussion of the subject had been chiefly
confined to the people of Philadelphia until
within recent period. The celebration
proper was to be national, the exhibition
international, lifting them above all sec
tional influences and endowing them with
the spirit of the new republic. In March,
1871, congress passed an act chartering
board of centennial commissioners com
posed of one individual from each state and
territory, to be named by the governor
thereof, and appointed by the president of
the United States, to prepare and supcrin-
tend the execution of the plans for the
| celebration and exhibition. Providing,
also that an exhibition of American and
| foreign arts, products and manufactures
| should be held under the auspices of the
government of the United States IN the
year 1876. Under this act plans have been
matured for the ground and building, and
regulations for the exhibition. While con-
gress had constituted the board and author
lied their acts, it had failed to
make an appropriation to carry
out the design. To obviate this
congress in 1872 created centennial
board of finance, to be composed of two
persons from each congressional district
and four at large In each state, to procure
subscriptions to the capital Of ten million
dollars, to be divided into shares of ten
dollars, and to issue bonds not in excess of
the capital stock to secure their payment.
These two boards have been duly organ
lied Tho boards as constituted proceeded
with the work, but the contributions have
been in parsimonious amounte. While
congress was stoutly refusing to appro-
pirate single dollar or to become in any
way liable for any expenses or charges
growing out of the celebration, the presi-
dent of the United States, in accordance
with the terms and requirements of the ACT
of congress, issued his proclamation de
claring that there would be "held at Phil
adelphia in the summer of 1876 an inter.
national exhibition of arts, manufactures
and products of the soil and mine, to be
opened on the 10Th of April and closed or
the 10Th of October" and also declaring
that in the interest of peace, civilization
and domestic and international friendship
and intercourse, he commends them to al
them. Following this, the secretary Of
state issued circular containing forma
invitation through the diplomatic represen
tatives. Thus the government, notwith
standing the acts of Congress, has so far as
sumed the matter that failure would be
public scandal and disgrace to the republic
Another appeal was made to congress a
the session OF 1873 and 1874, and an eiror
made to obtain an appropriation of thre
millions of dollars, which failed. What i
passing strange is that, after all this, con
gress passed an act requesting the presiden
to extend sin the name of the United State
a respectful and cordial invitation TO tn
government of other nations to be repre-
scented and take part in the internationa
exhibition at Philadelphia under the aus
pices of the government of the Unite,
States, in the year 1876; provided, that th
United States shall not be liable, direct,
for indirectly, for any expense attending
such exposition, or by reason of the same.
1t is slightly paradoXical to say the least
to invite all the nations of the earth 4
, come to the exhibition, and then sit dow
and refuse to assume any share in the re
sponsibility or to bear any portion of tn
expense, as the fame and glory of the exhi
biton are to inure to our own benefit. 1t
benefits and advantages cannot be over
estimated. 1t will bring together the pro
ducts of all nations for comparison wit
ours, and reap the benefits of united an
accumulated experience. The speake
then enlarged upon the advantages to &C
! crue from the exhibition of the artizan AM
manufacturer, bringing into close alianc
and association thousands of skilled work
men, raising the standard of mechanical
and agricultural aptness and ability. |
this vast reservoir will be all the useful pro
: ducts of the world. 1t will aid in the re
cuperation of our own country from tn
effects of the civil war. We have naugli
: to fear fIom the competition. The power
influences and attainments OF forty million
of educated, enlightened and christian pee
pie can be circumscribed only by eternii
and measured only by the immensely @
space. The international and industria
exhibitions and their benefits and iniluenc
> were then sketched. The first In 1851, i
London, was the first grand victory o
American mechanism over the combine
= skill and genius of the old world. TIL
Z Paris exposition was rich harvest I
American inventors and manufacturers, an
: its results matter of peculiar pride. Tn
Vienna exposition was not rich in result
from causes it was not well to discuss.
, The failure of congress to make an ar
preparation, makes it evident, that the fund
must be raised by private subscriptions an
the sale of the centennial stock. The ger
erous people of Philadelphia and thei
friends have given literally of their money
and abored zealously to accomplish til
object, so as to assume the final result.
The influences flowing from the center
NAL of the nation will give us realizing
sense of our blessing and responsibililie
/, and fan to flame our gratitude and ven
Grafton for the men who founded the nation
, it affords mile stone in our history wher
we can calmly contemplate the past, pre-
sent, and anticipate the future; it wi
. afford an opportunity to acknowledge an
confess our manifold transgressions il wi
enable us to bring the fruits of the land
the mucle and the brain, and compar
them with those from every other natio
under heaven. We can exhibit to othe
nations our diamonds, gold, silver, iron
metals, mineral, our own unrivaled marbl
: and slate, our manufacturing establish
ments, our cotton gins, mowers and rear
ers, knitting machines, stone channeln
machines and drills, our engines, steam