The Van Buren press., 1875-02-16
AMERICAS CENTENNIAL.
Special Hssssgs Of Gov. Garland to the
.. Legislature.
ExrCurIyE OFrICE,


An act Of congress, approved March
8, 1871, provided for the national cele.
bration of the lone huhdredth anniver
sary of the independence of the United
States, by the holding Of an exhibition
Of arts, manufactures and products OF the
soil and mine" On the fourth OF July,
1873, the president, by proclamation, an
nounced the exhibition and national Gel
ebratiou, and commended them to the
people Of the United States and all ma.
lions
The act Of congress referred to provi-
ded for the organization OF the United
States centennial commission, whose
duty it shall be to prepare and superin'
tend the execution Of q plan tor holding
the exhibition Commissioners for the
states and territories are appointed on
the recommendation of the governors
thereof by the president
The Hon. f. w. CAN'T was the com
missioner for this state, and the Hon. A
Mcdonald WAS alternate, under the ap-
pointment of the president, but by the
death Of Mr.. CAN'T and the removal OF
Mr.. Mcdonald from the state, both Of
these places are vacant, and l have rec
commended to the president the names OF
DR.. George w. Lawrence as commits
sioner, and George K. Dodge, Esq, as
alternate, the notice Of whose appoint
ments | expect to receive in very short
time.
The exhibition will be held at Fair
mount park, in the city of Philadelphia,
and will be opened on the nineteenth day
of April, 1876. and closed on the nine
teenth day Of October following
With this / send you circular ad-
dress from the Hon. A. I. Goshora the
director general of the exhibition. which
will furnish you in detail the rules and
regulations adopted for the carrying out
of this enterprise.
Most. if not all, of the states have ia
ken active steps to be represented in this
display. and leading foreign nations have
not only accepted invitations I" take part,
but they are manifcsting lively interest
in its success,
The mere announcement Of the project
without Legislative and executive sane
ton by the nation appeals most strong
ly to the sense Of pride, honor aud pa
triotism of every citizen Of this country,
but with the endorsement of congress-
and the president, it becomes the duty,
and | believe u pleasing one, Of every
person in the land to give his aid to this
enterprise. No more fit place than Phil
adclphia, around which cluster so many
cherished memories Of our past history,
could be selected, and she, as well as her
state, have already appropriated large
sums Of money to make the move all that
could be desired.
Our people, thus brought together, can
show progress in hundred years IN
all that benefits, improves and elevates
man, unexampIel in the authentic annals
of history. 1t will contribute largely to
remove the asperities engendered in past
years between the people OF the north
and south, and TO strengthen our love
for the union 1t will excite generous
and noble emulation, that will result in
the advancement or all parts OF the coun
try; it will enlarge and liberalize our
ideas Of each other and OF foreign ma
tons. and present us to these nations in
light that will be creditable in the highest
degree. And not least Of all, it will serve
to recur to the exciting times OF our rev.
olutionary struggle, and to call to mind
the virtues Of the fathers Of the couatry,
aud stimulate US to learn the lessons OF
their lives af esh, and 10 preserve, pure
and intact, the priceless heritage they be
queathed us
Other nations have engaged in thes
exhibitions, and with q success that has
caused them to be regarded almost as
fixed and permanent national institutions.
Should this, our first attempt, fail, it
would afford cause not only for regret but
Of deep modification to our people, to
say nothing of its effect abroad; and it
should be matter Of pride to the peo
pic, as we'll as to the states separately
not only that it should not fail, but that
its success should be 80 marked as to re
fleet honor upon our name everywhere.
Arkansas at present is not in condi-
ton to place herself on the list as she de-
serves to be. but she can do much toward
this celebration; and even small as her
contribution may be, she should at once
address herself to making it A few
thousand dollars expended in this way
by the state would be well invested.
A presentation at that exhibition OF
samples Of the products of her soil and
of her minerals would do more to induce
immigrants to come to the state, and per
sons Of means to become interested here
than all the articles and addresses we
might print and disseminate for years
No action has as yet been taken by
any legislature Of this state on this sub
ject, aud before another shall meet the
exhibition will have closed.
| recommend, therefore, . reasonable
ppropriation be made to enable the com
missioner and the alternate to prepare for
and secure to Arkansas such a represen.
tation as will promote her interests, and
be alike honorable to her and her people.
She should be present and answer to her
name at this great meeting, and ready to
lay before the world her testimonials to
the progress and prosperity Of our com
mon country: and to accomplish this
end will most cheerfully CO. o.operatt
with the legislature.
Very respectfully,
A. II. GARLAND, Governor
Arkansas Legislature.