New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-02

the Commission The step thus taken at Washing
ton, and which now appears TO be disclosed to the
public for the first time official authority seems
TO have exercised a decisive influence both at home
and abroad in Europe as exhibited in the refusal
of Russia at home in impairing the cordiaity OF
the relations between the State Department ut
Washington and the Centennial Commission at
Philadelphia, leading, it is said TO a discontinu-
ance of all direct communication between them,
and the adoption of a slower system of correspond
through the Department of the Interiors; plan
apparently little adapted to facilitate business in a
matter demanding the utmost and rapdity of
execution. The Centennial Commission, represent
ing all the States and Territories, are understood
still to assert their claim 10 the National and Gov
ernmental character which the American Govern
ment denies TO them, and against their claim to
which foreign powers have been put upon their
guard and whether upon the National Government
rests the responsibility for which the Commission
contends and which at Washington is denied them,
is a question on which the American press is yet d
vded.
$50 far" says The Chicago Tribune on the 10th of
August. "as the Governments connection with the
Exposition IS concerned Mr.. Jay errs in giving any
strength TO the notion that the Government has as
sumed the responsibility for either its success or
failure II is TO he regretted that at this stage Of
the Exhibition, and within nine months of its pro
posed opening it should be question between the
two departments of the Government TO which It's
foreign and domestic management has been in
trusted by Congress whether Centennial is to be
National and Governmental, under the auspices Of
the Government, or simply the work OF
a private corporation. Where the latter opinion
obtains an active and national interest
the part of the people need scarcely be expected.
And in that view any advice beyond the limits OF
Philadelphia or Pennsylvania might be regarded as
uncalled for To judge of the effect produced in
Europe of the announcement disclosed by Gov.
Jewell it may be fit 10 recall the feeling that pre-
vailed on the Continent before it made and TO
consider the effect was calculated to produce upon
the sympathies of the Governments and the people
EUROPEAN OPINION
The Centennial Commission ably represented
at Vienna by Prof. Petit and Prof. Blake, whose
opportunities for observation well improved.
and whose efforts 10 interest exhibitors in the EXh
bition at Philadelphia assisted TO fix upon 1t the
attention of Europe. Prof. Blake wrote on the 18th
of December 1873 Centennial Report for 1874, p.
2G9l, as foilows
II is with great satisfaction that can report the
stcnce Of the most friendly and even enthusiastic feeling
In regard to the Centennial Exhibition. Much ~
he interest is engendcrcd bv the recognized fact that
the first the American people 10 have an Inter
national Exhibition II s spoken OF as the nrst inter-
national Fvlb,tion in America under Governmental
sanction and patronage. The Government is regarded as
its responsible founder and Hustancr The undertaking
regarded in any degree local hut as the enter
prise Of the country and Government Ever since on
e 4th Of July last the President OF the United states
Issued his proclamation announcing inc EXADluOn' ana
commencing II 10 all nations who may be pleased to take
part ~ IL the enterprise mas become ~ lhc eyes OF VIC
the people OF the United states are fully and rrevocaby
committed. In this great work the states are considered
abroad as a unit
While our Centennial may have been naturally
enough, more talked of at Vienna during the Exhi-
btion than in other capitals, there is probably no
one of the diplomatic or consular agents df the
United States then residing in Europe whose testi-
mony would not tend to confirm the language of
Prof Blake as to the kindly and enthusiastic inter
est expressed in our Centennial by men and women
of all ranks and classes, the sOveregns themselves
the Crown Princes, the most eminent personages,
the highest officials distinguished Swans merchants
manufacturers artists, and artisans. Nor there be
doubt rs to the correctness of the remark that that
interest was due TO the belief that the Tx
hibition was to be a National Celebration Of
the birth Of the nation under the auspices
Of the American Government II the Euro
pean and other powers were mistaken in thus
Interpreting the Presidents proclamation aud the
first letter of the State Department, il would seem
10 have been a mistake shared by many Americans
besides the gentlemen of the Centennial Commission
1t was the only Interpretation that was consistent
with the theory and practice OF universal lnterna-
tiondl exhibitions as known to Europe-and II may
perhaps he added with the principles OF national dig
nifty ana international courtesy Indicated by the
reply of Russia. Those ideas combine 10 show that
the successful Inauguration of a universal exhibit
tiOu bv corporation which its own Government
proclaimed private corporation, would be simple
inpossibility. Ii the character of such an
exhibition were clearly understood at the be-
gnninC-and here il for time supposed
TO be Ovelnmental-cOmmcTcial considerations
might in some cases be sufficient 10 procure the ap
pOintment Of a commission representing not the
sovereign power but rather the Board OF Trade;
special political motive might possibly prevail IN
would with accord accept the invitation OF
private corporation, appoint such commissions as
thev sent 10 Vienna composed of men lllustr0us by
their birth, their genius, and by what they had ac-
c0mplished in science OF III art and use their best
endeayors to do honor to the power at whose lnyic
tatlOn they came, and whose own perfectness Of
preparation shown at Vienna tends 70 arouse and
intensity that generous international rivalry which
is the life Of international exhibitions scarcely any
person Who has iutelligenty studied the subject
seriously believe. The Centennial Commission Re
port for 1874, p III explains the first element that
secured so brilliant success at Vienna when 1t
says: The enterprise has thus been from the onset
under the immediate patronage ana control OF the
Imperial Government. IL has not only ITS sanction
but its heaFtiest sympathy and support"
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
The disclosure by Gov. Jewell of the view of the
Commission and the Exhibition entertained by the
Government at Washington and officially commune
Gated by its agents to foreign powers while il shows
the insuperable difficulties which the Commission
thus officially characterized has been compelled to
meet and foreshadows possible dangers and disap-
pointments in the future shows also the only mode
in which they can be averted and success secured
and that remedy is clearly suggested by the Ian
guage of Congress when it requested the President
E" to extend in the name Of the United States re-
spectful and cordial invitation to the governments
of other nations to be represented and take part in
the International Exhibition TO be held at Philade
pha under the auspices of the Government of the
United States" But that invitation, interpreted
Lr the nnnlanAtinns giyen 10 Rnssia left the Com