The New York herald., 1876-02-07
THE CENTENNIAL.
EX-Minister jay on Inter
national Courtesies.
Propriety of Inviting the Crowned
Heads Of the Universe.
OUR FOREIGN DIPLOMACY CRITICISED.
The "Afaire Catacazy'' and the
Vienna Scandal Discussed.
)UR FOREIGN DIPLOMACY CRITICISED.
SUcGESTlOSS FOR THE RECEPTION OF ROYAL VISITORS

ton to the soveregns of the world to Wow Centen
NAL Celebration might not be attended with 'insur-
mountable difculties,n is that experience and
habit of thought would probably first incline to
answer as some journals have already done, ''the
proposition is impracticable. Ana yet we must
member that the occurrence of the centennial year,
the of the laws directing Its celebration un
der the auspices of the government the Presidential
proclamation and diplomatic notes asking all the gov
and of the world to take part in it,
constitute history novelty without precedent
parallel
That extraordinary legislation for this extraor
binary occasion should have imposed upon
toned duties and responsibilities under the code Of in
ternational courtesy, by which international ex-
hibitions are governed, is matter of course.
II, a Of the situation, find that have
incurred responsibility than we had antci-
pated that the question of asking the soveregns and
other chiefs like the Presidents of France and Switzer-
land visit during the centennial year is longer
a matter Of national choice, but has become by the
action of Congress and of President and by the
responses OF foreign Powers matter OF international
propriety and therefore national necessity and duty
it may appear also that our government as equal
that duty any government in the world and that like
other national duties well performed it Will be attended
by certain and abundant compensation.
Having adopted for our Centennial Celebrationdhe
international exhibition as established in Europe, and
having in accordance with the usage of Europe solicited
and obtained the aid OF foreign Powers must look
to the usage to determine the reciprocal duties
which it in turn imposes ourselves The Exposition
Vienna the latest and the most perfect of the
great exhibitions in accordance with the rule which
seems to have been established by successive prece
dents and which American pride will naturally expect
the American government to confirm memorable
dtnU ex m
shall be moro perfect design and and
more useful in its results than any of its predecessors
THE ROYAL VISITORS AT VIENNA
To Vienna came for the period OF the Exposition the
foreign commissions and the exhibitors OF their de-
partments and there came also for brief visits as the
guests OF the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor Of
Russia and the Emperor and Empress of Germany,
the Kings of Italy Belgium and Denmark. the Prince
of Wales and Prince Arthur. the Czarowitch and his
wife, the Princess Dagmar; the Crown Prince and
Princess OF Germany, with other princes and arch
dukes of the royal families of the Continent Many
Of these we're connected by ties OF blood with the
family Of the Hapsburgs but that not the ground
on which the soveregns invited The Sultan and
the Khedrve were among the expected guests and
Count Andrassy said that they would be very glad to
sec the President His Exccllency's words which may
perhaps be quoted without improperly, showing
the simple and informal manner in which such invita-
ons may be properly given by ourselves to this
effective give, you know, formal invitations,
but the Emperor has spoken to the subject
and wishes tho President to know that he would
be glad him at Vienna" Had General Grant been
abo TO accept the invitation he would have been
ceived in the manner with the sovereigns of Eu
rope, and Count Andrassy subsequently expressed
the regret OF the Emperor at learning that the Pres
dents of the United States unaccusomed to leave
tha thoir of of1c a
good reason to believe that General Grant both from
his military fame and the Chief of the Republic,
would have been welcomed by the governments with
cordiaity and by the people with enthusiasm
TUE RECEPTION OF GENERAL sHKRnAx
The year before, in June 1872, when General Sher-
man was expected at Vienna the Legation advised
in advance of his arryal that the Emperor would be
glad TO receive the General in special audience and
that testimony Of the high regard for this dis
ngushed General and Commander Of the United States
Army by order OF His Majesty officer would be at
tached to his person during hs stay Vienna"
When during his reception by the Emperor the Gen
cral spoke OF the pleasant surprise with which he had
found that the Austrian officers whom he had met
we're accurately acquainted with the operations of our
civil war; adding that HIS ExcelIency the Baron Kuhn,
the Minister of War for the whole Empire, had shown
him maps Of the Southern campaign traced by tho
Baron's own hand while following the reported
marches armies, the Emperor remarked in re-
ply that the Austrian officers had studied with great in
tcrest the operations OF the American armies.
PRECEDENT ESTABLISHED.
Returning TO the question: after this passing auson
TO one reason for the that General Grant
would have been most cordially received at Vienna the
invitations there gren however Informally, seem TO
naugurates international exhibition TO ask the
SI5iens OF the assisting countries 10 and
the Industrial and collections which their gov
ernments and people have contributed.
The precedent thus sanctioned at Vienna by the
soverelgns OF the world would be applicable 70 the
American Exhibition regarded simply as an exhibition
Ike those Of England, France and Austria, with no
special historic meaning and peculiar national sig
niGcance But with the Exhibition inaugurated
by Congress- a fitting celebration OF ''the completion
OF the rs century OF national existence" and the
Powers OF the world in the language used by the court
OF Russia have accepted "the cordial invitation from
the Cabinet OF Washington TO take part in national
soemnty for commemoratng one OF the grandest facts
in the history OF humanity"
The significance and force OF this language touch
ing the Declaration Of Independence and the birth
we remember that they come from one who,
ruling an Empire that comprises seventh part OF the 1
territory Of the globe, has himself written most
noble page the history OF humanity to which
Americans turn without being reminded Of
similar chapter in our own story The name OF Lincoln
associated with the emancipation O00 900 slaves
that of Alexander will live in coming ages as the
emancipator Of 40 100000 serfs
But we must remember, even while listening TO the /
kindly words Of our great friend Of Russia that the
birth OF Republic not al the time and Is not
to-day matter OF profound congTatuIaton to all the
OF Europe. And yet with that graceful international
courtesy which marks the diplomacy OF the Old World,
and which should be equally conspicuous in the /
diplomacy OF America, the governments, magnan-
mousy led by England despite the inconvenience OF
the time following the affair OF Vienna despite
the monetary crisis despite the distance the expense
and the trouble OF the voyage, accepted invitation,
appointed governmental commissions, secured govern
mental appropriations invoked the cooperation OF
their people. equipped ships and presently coming
from all quarters-Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and
South America-to lend dignity and splendor 70 the
Centennial Of Republic.
DUTY OF GOVERNMENT DEFINED.
II II proper amenity on the part OF Francis /
Joseph invite the soveregns 70 come 70 Vienna and
view the Exposition In the Prater, do less than
ask the sovereens, 70 whom indebted in larger
degree TO 20 Philadelphia and witness the cee-
bration TO which they have so amiably contrbuted9
Is not this simple roqutal part enforced by the
highest precedentY Can omit II consistently with
our national dignity personal selfreepect9 l
Would IL not the OF the Centennial how
ever great II might otherwise be- 70 remember that We
had requlted with rudeness the graceful good will of
anuernnna the world II allnnL nhacrHani