New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-19
yIRGlyIA AND TIE CENTkNNIAL.

VIRGINIA And TIE CENTENNIAL
Only three weeks remain before the, formal
opening of the Centennial Exhibition Build
ings, and all preparatory arrangements are
further advanced than those of any other Ex-
position at the same dat, although the exlib-
itOls of our own country are behind those oi
any other. Our exhibits will no doubt he sent
in little after the eleventh hour the Amer
lean must always Just Craze his opportunity,
catch Time not by the fOrel0ck, but by the
very end of his vanishing coat-tail. There is
one blank in all reports of this preparation
which appears to us mOmentous-tho absence
Of Virginia from all representation. That she
or any other State should fail to take an active
part in the Centennial Exposition is not
matter of essential moment States crippled
by the war, and whose display OF manufactures
IN any case must necessarily be inferior tn
those whose oaly wealth or industry has lain
for a century in manufacture, are naturally in
DISPOSED 10 put themselves into competition with
their Northern neighbOrs. The qualities upon
which Virginia should rest her claims fordistinc
ton are not to he placed in a showroom, or by
any mode transplanted in miniature to Phlla-
delphia for the ensuing Summer. They are
not matters of industrial or scientific exhibit,
nor of art so much "a moral and intellectual
character. Y0u cannot bring the fair fields OF
the Shenandoah Valley up into TIE Agi1cul-
tural Department to show through what patient,
sturdy labor the ravages OF war have been
repaired; nor can you place the Virginia gentle
man who owns them (very much improved, 10y
the way, by that war and that labor, or the
sin pie high-brcd women who form his house
hold. on exhibition. Yet here are the elements
of a social and domestic life, more attractive
and worthy of praise in the eyes OF many
Judges than any other in America. 1t is use
less, Of course, to hope that the Exposition
can be, in any sense, representative OF the
many phases of this social and domestic lie
in the country, and therefore it is less inn
portant that State like Virginia, that bases
her claims to eminence on these unexi1bitable
virtues, should take any part in it.
But the Exposition is quite different mat
ter from the celebration of our independence
in July. 1t is not too late for the State, IA
state to take IN official part in the rcjocinGS
of that day, and no ill-judged economy on the
part of her Legislature should be allowed To
interfere with her 50 doing. The Commission
crs of the Exposition are not the fitting repre-
sentativcs of the States on that OCCASION The
Governors and Committees of each. especially
of the original thirteen, will no doubt be
present by invitation of Pennsylvania, OF
wit out it, should she neglect 10 give 1t
(Which she is not likely to do, judging by her
present hospitality, and the failure OF
Virginia to appear there would be
fatal to much of the true significance
of the occasion. 1t was Nirglnian,
the venerable Pcyton Randolph, who
ordered and controlled the first Continental
Congress of 1774 1t was Patrick Henry,
Virginian, who in that Congress first put into
words the meaning of the difficulty which
brought them together az not protest against
mistakes in their rulers, bat revolution to be
ended by new government; it was Virginian
who led the armies of The colonies through the
war of that Revolution; 1t was VIrginian
who brought the question of independence be-
fore Congress Virginian drafted the Dec
laration, and it was Virginia, with MasSachu-
chusetts and Georgia. who passed the resolu-
ton. and gave us our freedom, while Pennsyl-
yania and New York drew back, hesitating and
alarmed.
Whatever cause for dissatisfaction Virginia
and the United Government may have had with
each other since then, they cannot blot out her
record of that day. Without her, July 4,
1776, would have been 10 national holiday (;
and without her, July 4, 1876, will lose much
of its Importance. We know no reason why
she should refuse TO take part in this great
anniversary which belongs rightfully to her
more than any other State. We do not believe
there is among the better class of Virginians
any sense OF injury or wounded feeling which
would debar them from joining heartily i'll this
day with their Northern knsfok; almost every
city or town in tho State, indeed, will send its
dcputation of citizens. But the State should
be represented officially. No display Of manu-
features or other indication of our progress in
wealth and industry no manifestation of good
will from other nations, however acceptable,
will make as deep an impression on the public
mind and feeling as the appearance of the
Southern States in the old Capitol in July,
and the cordial, hearty assurance that we are
again brothers and friends.
A USELESS WARNING.
President Grant was warned against Me-
Donald, then. Not by liccntiOus press. Not