National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-07
THE CENTENNIAL.

We presume our citizens are keeping
themselves well informed concerning the
progress being made for. the International
Exposition to take place in Philadelphia in
1876. An affair so grand as the celebration
ofthe one hundredth anniversary of Ameri-
can Independence could not be completed
in q day, and 30 it was arranged that it
should last for months, and that all civi.
lized nations should be invited to partici-
pate in it; in other words, that the celebra-
ton should be made commensurate with
the influence of the United States, and in
harmony with that kindness and good will
entertained toward US throughout the
world. The Centennial bids fair now to
take on something of the character of what
the prophesised millennium will be, for we
shall see all nations commingling with
each other, not only in frsternal regard,
but in an emulous exhibition of all the
splendid triumphs of peace. The instru.
nents Of discord and desolation will give
place to all signs and emblems of the ele.
walton and progress Of mankind, Side by
side will be placed specimens Of all the
resources Of States In agriculture, mining
and animal products. These IN turn will
be contrasted with similar specimens from
foreign lands. Other departments will be
filled with originals and copies OF great
works Of art In all Its forms, and In another
will be illustrated the progress Of science
and invention Of every possible description.
II IL believed that the standard Of every.
thing exhibited will be Of the very highest,
whether Of articles OF the useful OF orna.
mental class. We need not point out In
detail what the various manufactures In
the United States can do Ia the ex.
hlbltlon or wares, but In this re.
gard Americans will be greatly stimulated
by the met that England, France, Der.
many and belgium are already prepared
10 occupy large space with their own,
Hight here We wish 10 remark that We
hope that The Director General, Mr., A, Il,
qeshefB, will zee 10 II that the great on.
hibilieH ID not turned al any pelat Into
anything that would look like q mere
variety or dollar Store Speculation and
trade 10 certain extent will be Inevitable
accomplishments but the rules aAd Fegula.
tons In regard 70 such matters can hardly
DO too stringent There IL already sbund,
ant proof that In design and result this OK,
hlbillaA will DO greater than any that have
preceded 1t, The first was 10 London, In
1851 the next IN Paris. In 1855, and In
1859 al South Kensington, and again In
Paris, In 1867, and the last In Vienna, In
1878, The Crystal Palace exhibition, In
New York, was only an experimental
affair, and remarkable chiefly for Its mis-
management. The experience gained In all
these is now being taken advantage ofat
Philadelphia, and almost perfect results
may be anticipated.
But what are the citizens of Washing.
ton doing in regard to II. The capital
city, In celebration Of the country's his.
tory and glory, ought certainly TO occupy
some conspicuous place. We have heard
that models Of certain school houses were
to be forwarded. This is well; but It Is
not enough. We might have q model of
the city complete In wax, with all its pub.
lie grounds, buildings, shade trees, monu.
ments and statues-at least Of every public
building. Our artists are abundantly able
to make fine contribution, and our arti.
sans and manufacturers could combine in
presenting an imposing display. There is
30 much TO be suggested under this head,
we hardly know where to stop. Not
much, If anything, can be done Individ-
ually, but citizens adting in concert can &C.
all that is necessary or desirable.
In council, particularly in such case as
this, there is wisdom, and we should be
glad to have our friends make suggestions
on this subject in order that a concert of
action may soon be brought about. 1t is
possible that Washington, being the CAPT.
tai city, can unite directly with the Gov
in what 1t may contribute to the
exhibition from this point In that case
we could stand in the very front rank of
exhibitors. We trust Washingtouians will
wake up and consider this matter.
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