The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-03-06
THE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL.

Said Governor John A.. Dix of New York,
&" / entertain the earnest wish that the centennial
celebration shall be worthy of the whole coun-
try and this sentiment appears to commend
itself TO the good judgment and patriotism of
every citizen Of the Great Republic. There ap-
pears to be no disagreement as to the Importance
of the event itself and the duty of all to contri-
butte all in their power to render it a grand suc-
cess-an exhibition which shall show the cstima-
tion of the American people of the blessings
which, for a century, have succeeded the Decla-
ration Of Independence.
Many Of the leading journals of the Union, in
accordance with the American idea of the func-
tons of the general government, have steadily
opposed the applications that have been made for
governmental aid to the centennial exposition.
They held that the faith of the government was
pledged to aid the enterprise by moral support,
but not to render pecuniary aid for an object
which would be better served by the patriotism
and sagacity of individuals, than by the charity
Of the government. The attempt to obtain q
subsidy from the federal government has, We be-
lieve, been abandoned, and the managers, making
a fervent appeal to American citizens, seem to
have gone earnestly and intelIigently to work to
make the exposition a success, independent of
governmental beneactions.
The year 1876 is rapidly drawing near. In
fifteen months from now, Philadelphia will be-
come the local point for the gathering together of
the nations of the earth and then will doubtless
be seen the ~stateliest assembly of the ages, to
witness the progress and to hear recited the his
tory of the first century of the Great Republic.
One cannot contemplate the coming event with
out emotion, and with the hope that America
may make it worthy Of herself, and worthy of all
that it is intended to commemorate.
The arrangements for the centennial are be-
lieyed to be in good hands. To realize the ideal
which has been created will require an immense
outlay of capital. which, however, it is believed
will, in large measure, be returned to investors
in legitimate profits. By Act of Congress IN
June. 1872, a centennial board of finance Was
created, and authorized to issue stock to the
amount of so, 600 600, in shares of $40 each,
thus putting it within the means of all classes to
become stock-hOlders. About one-third of the
stock has already been subscribed, and the prin-
cipaI buildings, eapacious and elegant in their
proportions, have been begun.
Several months since we published the call for
contributions TO the centennial exposition, from
the Commissioner appointed by His Majesty
and We now take the opportunity to again remind
our readers, all over the islands, that the Conn
missiOners are prepared to receive from contrib
utors all articles or objects so destined, at the
Office Of the Hon. 5. G.. Wilder, Honolulu. As
all articles to be exhibited must be in Philadel.
phia before March 4th, 1876, the contributions
from these islands must be completed and ready
for being forwarded at or before the end of the
year 1875.