Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-02-09
The Centennial

will To called upon 10 celebrate the one
huudredlh anniversary Of the nations
/ existence.
I An exchange says:
The report oflhe Centennial Committee
shows that vast amount OF preliminary
work has already been accomplished.
! There is every reason TO believe that the
whole continent of America, the Central
and South American States, and all the
European aud Oriental nations will send
their agents and contributions.
Thus. il seems that we are fully com
nitted to an international exposition.
The effort 10 extract three millions from
The United States treasury. TO aid this
enterprise, has happily proved failure
anu the whole matter now rests with our
people. We have to show not only our.
selves. bul io,eigo nations what We have
done during the past century, aud how
we'll We can display our works and, also,
that the people Of this nation 50 love its
honor aud preierment. that they will
contribute millions to support and make
successful an enterprise which promises
no cash return.
We, in Maine. live so far from the seat
OF action. and are 90 slow and cold, tha,
We have not yet walked up to the impor.
lance OF this matter. We are pledged to
make this exhibition q success. 1t must
not be ans two penny affair, which will
disgrace US in the eyes Of the world. but
il must be SO ominenly successful, thai
we can point to it, in the future, rs one
OF the greatest Of our national enterprises.
We have an efficient board OF Centennial
Commissioners in this State. They have,
from time TO time, called upon the PEG.
pie for aid, and they are now engaged in
making arrangements so that our State
shall be well represented. Exactly
what course they propose to pursue has
not been made public. Il is reported,
however, that they will appoint local com.
missiOners or agents TO look alter the
interests OF the sections in which Ihey
reside, and TO sell Centennial stock Al
kinds OF manufactured uicles. improved
methods of ssaning. labor saving ma
chincry, aud everything OF value which
did not exist or was not done ia the last.
or has been improved during the present
century should be presented for eXhibi
ton 1t is truly a surprising Tact to con.
slider that we had so few Of the machines,
which are necessity 10 day. al the open
ing Of our national history. Oae can
gain a good idea OF this fact By carefully
reading series OF articles now being
published in IIarper's Monthly, entitled
The Fnst Century Of the Republic"
Il il citing that this celebration should
be held in Philadelphia. for that vas the
place Of The nations binh. Tnere stand
many monuments to our early history,
and there The people are erecting monu.
mcnts TO The nations growth and progress
The citizens oil Philadelphia. not only
appreciated the fitness OF holding the eX.
hbilon in their city, bat wcro fully aware
OF the financial advantages to be derived
fom the gathering Of such multitude
within their borders They have taken
the matter le:oicaly Ia hand, and have
contributed vas, sums Of money and
much labor and many men to the work
The two buildings which now atrac,
most attention aie the VI AN Building and
the Ant Gallery. Tho former c0Vrts Il .96
acres on the ground, and more Than an.
other 10 towers and elevations At some
future time we may give our readers a
description OF these buildings, but our
present object is simply to call attention
to wha. has been aud Is now being done,
and remains to be completed
OF course this great enterprise requires
large amount OF money 10 ensure lis
success. and this money must come from
the people. 1t must MT be given 10 The
national government nor by the States;
but by those persons who can afford 10
contribute. 100000 is the smallest
sum for which he directors ask. II is
proposed to give every person who con
uibutes 80. share OF stock in the Cen
tenniaI Exposition. Ii he managers
have funds on hand. after delray ing all
expenses, the surplus will be divided
among the stock holders. Several per.
sons, by contributing sma ! sums, and
placing them IN the hands ofsome reliable
person until they am1lnt to 80. can De
come stock holders. A. financial enter
prise We cannot expect il 10 be a success.
No international exhibition has placed
money 10 the hanis OF It's originators
Sill We hope and are confident that our
people will look above pecautarY cou-id
erations and will contribute 10 tho success
OF our glorious na:iona celebration.
We shall endeavor. from time TO time.
to inform our readers concerning the
progress OF this undertaking. and shall
be glad to aid those who desire any in.
formation in regard TO the subject other
than is published.
4 Compliment.
/ To receive condemnation from the New
. Vii. uF,.1J =, ,,a - thn h..,L,et go.