The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-05-25
Centennial Correspondence.
PHILADELPHIA, Nav 10, Il

Editor Press The Centennial Ex-
hibition may now be said to be fairly
under way. TO be sure, there are
many exhibits not yet in place and
ready for inspection, nor can they all
be arranged in their proper depart-
ments for two or three weeks yet !; but
everything is now in such good order
that the visitor scarcely notices any
defects. There is SO much to see that
one does not care to even think about
what is not yet ready to be seen.
The visitor to Philadelphia who
comes with the idea of doing" the
Exhibition in two or three days, has a
bigger job on his hands than he is
aware of. A hasty view of the end
less variety of goods in any one de-
partment conveys but a very faint idea
of their beauty or their utility; and
he who merely passes along the aisles
without pausing to inspect the articles
exhibited, will find when he has gone
that he has but very crude and in
definite impression left upon his mind
of what ought to be somewhat perma-
nent and distinct. But then if mans
business or circumstances are such
that he can devote but two or three
days to sightseeing, it will amply re-
pay him to come to Philadelphia some
time during the summer. And let me
say word to young men, who, as yet,
have not thought much of paying this
the matter Q use the term in it's broad
and comprehensive sense), no such
opportunity will eyer be presented
again in this country to study the ..e-
ography, manners and customs of the
people, the improvements in all de-
partments Of the arts, sciences, agri-
culture and commerce of the world,
and especially of the old world, as is
here now offered, and at comparative
ly littla expense. II q father were to
offer his son his choice between a
month spent in the Exhibition here, Or
six months at the best University in
the country, by all means | would ad-
wise the visit TO the Centennial. The
six months absence from the Univer-
sity he can make up ii he chooses but
this opportunity lost, and it is lost for-
ever.
A ramble through any one of the
five principal exhibition buildings will
soon convince you that we Americans
are much more interested in the pro-
luctions of foreign countries than we
are in our own. We look with a great
deal of pride upon our own machines
and manufactured articles. but we soon
pass them with the feeling that these.
can be seen any time and for years to
come: but when we stand by vase
for instance, from Japan. that it takes
man nearly three Mous0nd days to
make, or Chinese ire screen that
cannot be bought for less than thou.
sand dollars, we are compelled te give
it a closer and longer inspection
Here is little cabinet that you could
carry i'm one hand. You are arrested
by its beauty, and pause 10 examine it.
1t is of the finest lacquered ware. The
exhibitor Informs you that it was
made about two hundred and fifty
years ago; that the art was then in its
perfection, but is now in a great meas
ure lost. The longer you look at the
little delicate case OF drawers, the more
you admire it, and yeu feel Il desire
growing to know something OF the
people, hcathen though we call them.
who so far excel all other nations in
The manufacture of this species of
goods. Aud your curiosity grows no
less when you are modeslly told that
you Can be made the happy posscssor
of this little cabinet by paying down
in gold, and duty added, the moderate
sum Of three thousand dollars!
Let NE introduce the reader to the
exhibits OF little country that will
wager l. beaver hat not one i'll ten who
reads this can give its boundaries or
even tell in what part of the world it
is situated. Occupying the southwest
corner of the main building is 4 little
enclosure, over the entrance to which
in gilt letters, the visitor reads "Or-
ange Free State" a study OF the his
tory of the little country reveals 10 us
it's situation on the northeast bound
ary Of Cape Colony in South Africa
Little was known Of this distant State
previous to 1920, or thereabouts, ex-
cept that it was traversed by maraud-
ding bands of ksf1irs and Kindred
A frican tribes. But abOnt the year
above named, some Dutch farmers of
Cape Colony began to cross the Or
ange river into this territory in times
of dronth, to obtain pasture for their
fiocEs. Some purchased lands from
the harbarons chiefs, others took pos
session without the lormalty of pur-
chase. In 1899 these immigrants had
become so numerous that they formed
government for themselves. They
passed through the varyi ing fortunes
OF war, both with the barbarous ma
tions by which they are surrounded,
and with Great Britain. But out Of
all her troubles The little Republic has
come forth 1T last. and is now enjoy
ing amiCAble relations with all the