The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-12
The Duty OF the states 20 the Gem
tenniaL

of American independence. The people
have from the first regarded 1t
with the respect and affection which,
as the most significant event in our
history, it deserves, and have decided to make
it worthy of the nation. Our manufacturers,
merchants, farmers, miners, inventors, artists,
have shown praiseworthy intention to be
represented in the Exhibition, and to COM
pete with each other and with foreign coun-
tries in the various branches of mechanical
industry and agricultural productions.
| America has never seen q collection of works
of art and science and skilled labor
that can be compared to the great microcosm
of civilization that will be displayed during
the fall and summer of 1876 in the splendid
buildings in Paramount Park at Philadel-
phia. Paris, London and Vienna have
alone indicated the immensely and va
riety of this Exhibition The West will give
her gold and gems, the South her fertility of
productions, the East her mechanical mar
vels, Europe her art and Asia the triumpbs of
her reawakened civilization, and in the ten
grand departments of the Exhibition will be
more than represented the worlds wonders
'.from silken Samarcand to cedared Lebanon.
Thus there is every reason to believe that
the people are anxious and determined to
make the celebration representative of their
progress. and it is only upon this deep and
broad basis of national interest and enthusi-
asm that tho enterprise could be founded
We are satisfied with what the people have
done already, and with what they intend to
do in the year for action which remains. But
there are limits to the abilities of individuals
working necessarily without organization
The inventor will perfect his machines, the
manufacturer study to improve his fabrics,
the artist viii contribute the ripest products
of his genius. But all these individual
efforts, mul6tudinous and varied as they
will be, need to be reconcled and
united under general systems. 1t is
impossible for many of the thousands of per-
sons who intend to contribute to the Exhibi-
ton their work also to sustain it with their
money The financial condition Of the country
| forbids US to expect that the vast preliminary
expenses of building and organizing should
be met by collections of money from the pub
| lie That much has been done in this way
we know, and it is creditable to the patriotism
Of the people and their confidence in the
| grand enterprise, but the utmost they could
do is insufficient There was never yet
worlds fair that was fully equipped and sup
ported by the voluntary contributions of clti-
gems to it's stock.
If the people give the Centennial Exhibition
the labor Of their bands and brains as indi-
viduals the Commonwealth into which they
are organized should contribute oil the
money that is needed. The invest
ment is secure but the returns are in
the future, and not o dollar can be
earned till the doors are opened to the i'm
mense throng from all parts OF the Union.
Meanwhile, money must be paid out It is
imperative that the States should understand
this. The citizen can afford to pay
out Of the common wealth Of the COM
munity what he cannot afford to pay
out of his own pocket. Therefore,
State action is now the grand necessity.
Without such action many interests are likely
to be neglected and exhibitors left without
necessary aid. /. is the duty Of every State TO
appoint commissioners to represent it at
Philadelphia next year. This is the least that
could be done, and il is little enough for
sovereign American State to contribute lib
orally to an enterprise in which the credit
and honor Of the Union are irrevocably
engaged.
State action is, therefore, in our opinion,
all that the Centennial needs to make its COM
plete success assured, and the evidences that
it will be freely given are rapidly increasing.
We publish to-day number of encourage
ing letters from the Governors Of
States, in addition TO others which
have appeared in our columns. Governor
Ingersoll, Of Connecticut; Governor Grover,
OF Oregon; Governor Peck, Of Vermont; Gov
ernor Weston, Of New Hampshire; Governor
/ Cochrane, Of Delaware; Governor Groome, Of
Maryland; Governor Brogden, of North Car
DINA, and Governor Bagley, Of Michigan, all
express their opinions on the subject in the
4 HERALD to-day, and though there Is
some difference in their views they
are united in recognizing the importance Of
the proper representation Of their respective
\ States, and give hopes Of practical legislative
aid. This would have been already given in
many cases but Tor the unusual political ex-
citement Of last winter, when United States
Senators were elected in many Of the
States. The Centennial was forgotten in
those struggles, as indeed legislation was
generally neglected Since then the interest
in the Exhibition has wonderfully revived,
and those Legislatures which have not adj
journed may be expected to take the course
which material considerations, as well as
patriotism, require.
Surely among those States which still retain
the opportunity for immediate action We may
hope 20 find the great Commonwealth Of
Il Nnur Yrrk the nrnrnnf and Iihnrnl 1nndor