The Portland daily press., 1875-05-22
The Centennial Celebration.

Inere are many devils ana thefe is one
devil, say the Turks. So we may say that
there are many centennials and there is one
centennial. The dawn OF freedom has been
and will be celebrated at Lexington, at
Mecklenburg, and at Bunker Hill. But the
sunburst was On the fourth of July, 1776,
when the bell in Independence Hall pro-
claimed the signing of the famous declara-
tion. Philadelphia must ever be held as the
birthplace of American independence. The
thirteen colonies then for the first time forgot
their petty jealousies and diverse interests,
and, united by the sense of common dan
ger, formed solemn league for mutual de-
fense. In time, by the laws of historical
perspective, Philadelphia will start out of the
shadows of the past as the cradle and birth
place of American liberty, and the advocates
of the republican idea'' will visit it as the
devout Moslem visits Mecca, as the Christian
pilgrim of an earlier time bent his steps to-
ward Jerusalem.
The proposition of a celebration OF the CEN
tennial of American independence, commen-
surate with the progress and greatness of the
nation, was secuted at first as impractical
and extravagant. We all laughed at PhiIa-
delphia. We made sorry jests upon the rec
tangular streets of the city and the sober
colored coats of the Qaakers. We laughed at
atrocious puns upon the name of William
Penn. But as the months wore on a more
sober comprehension came to the people. We
began to realize the necessity of cultivating
the glorious memories of the past, of re-
awakening patriotic feeling by dwelling upon
the events which attended the birth of the
republic. We began to see that the system
of government perfected by the patient wis
dom of the fathers was being gradually un-
dermined by indifference and corruption, and
that only revival Of the glorious memories of
the past could stir the sluggish blood of TO-
day into full appreciation of the blessings of
that political system which was won by long
endurance and much bloodshed and suffering
Within the last six months there has been
marked growth of patriotic feeling. States,and
cities have overcome their jealousies and have
determined to make the celebration at Phila-
delphia one worthy of the great people whose
independence it commentaries.
In all sections of the country local associa-
tions have been formed which are doing good
work in aid of the celebration. Philadelphia
itself is fully awake to the magnitude of the
undertaking. Five great halls have been put
up on the grounds which embrace two hun
dred and thirty six acres. Within this enclos-
ure the principal structures have been grouped
in the most economic, suitable, and conven-
lent positions. Facilities for transportation
from distant points within the grounds will
be provided, but the whole area will contain
objects of interest throughout its entire length
and breadth. The walks and roads through
out the grounds will have total length of
seven miles, and apart from the main exhibit
ton building and its principal approaches the
entire surface intervening will be covered
with the ravilions of states and nations. cost
ly buildings, erected by individuals to display
special exhibits, fountains, statues, vases, and
shrubbery, which, with lake of pure water
three acres in extent and the parterre of
flowers of native and exotic plants surround
ing the Horticultural Building and inter-
spersed over the ground will afford ample
opportunities for all the display needed.
In order to ensure the prompt despatch of
business it has been found necessary to consti-
tute administrative bureaus. These bureaus
are the foreign, transportation, installation,
machinery, agriculture, horticulture, and
fine arts. 1t has been decided to retain the
use of awards, but upon a system greatly diff
ferent from that adopted at any previous Ex-
hibition. The disputes which have hereto
fore arisen between successful competitors as
to the comparative Importance of several
grades of awards will be avoided, it is hoped
by the adoption of a single uniform medal,
which shall in each case be accompanied by a
report and diploma stating the nature of the
merit for which it is awarded. The difficulties
which have been experienced from the un-
wieldy size of the international juries, and
which were anticipated in procuring ex-
perts of acknowledged proficiency from
abroad, have been met by de-
Gliding upon a small body of judges, one
half of whom shall be from the United States
and one half foreign; while, to insure the
presence and attention to their duties of men
practically conversant with the subjects they
are to report upon, an allowance designed to
cover their travelling expenses and cost of re-
naming in Philadelphia will be made to the
Judges. AS the result of these measures, it is
confidently expected that the awards will be
made with more system and thoroughness
than on any previous occasion, and that the
value to their reports.
The exhibition has awakened as much or
more attention in foreign lands than in our
own. The chief states of Europe, OF South
| America, of Asia and of Africa, thirty-one
nations in all, have signifed their intention
| to be represented.
In our own country the memorial meetings
of the events connected with the struggle foI
| independence are rapidly succeeding each
other, and are arousng patriotic feeling
commemoration at Philadelphia next year.
| There is no doubt now that the hundredtn
| anniversary of American independence will
be celebrated with splendor worthy of the
event.
SEVERAL of our contemporaries having
/ stated that the deposits of saving banks are
exempt from taxation, a correspondent of the
| the Eastport Sentinel observes that some OF
the folks in Machias take advantage of such
exemption by placing notes, town orders ETC.