The New York herald., 1876-01-17
THE CENTENNIAL.
How the Exhibition May Be Made Of the
Greatest Benefit.
THE LESSONS WHICH EXPERIENCE TEACHES
Proposed Assemblage of Interna-
tional Congresses.
A PICTURE OF THE HEIGHT OF CIVILIZATION.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Congress IN the exercise OF its constitutional
power TO provide for the general welfare having
deemed 1t ht and beneficial 10 order the commemora-
tion of the Centennial by an International Exhibition,
having secured the OF foreign Powers by
assurance Of its national character and being
egslae for its support under governmental control
will naturally desire to interesting
suitable provision that may enhance the dignity ofthe
celebration and resulting benefits people
and to the world.
| Apart from the grave lessons taught by expert
enee at Yenna-the full significance OF which will APP
pear when the record of the ocal investigation shall
be brought 10 ght-of the necessity OF the manage
ment OF the celebration both regards the expendh
| ture Of governmental moneys and the dealings with
the foreign commissions being subject to govern
mental supervision, there some points bearing
''the general welfare" which the experience Of the
past commends 10 special consideration.
The first Is one which the Centennial Commission
early brought to the public attenton-the advantages
OF assembling in International Congresses for confer
! ence on topics OF common interest the scientists
and experts Of our own and Of foreign nations. A
second is the propriety OF invitation by govern
ment the name Of the sovereign people, to foreign
soveregns TO witness the Exhibition which they
so courteously contributing. third relates 10 the 1T
ness of an arrangement by which the Exhibition shall,
in the fullest sense TO the general welfare, with
no restriction OF the pleasures benefits be derived
from it to those who afford to purchase the
enjoyment, but with opening OF the Exhibition,
from time to time, to all persons without charge The
reasonableness OF such an arrangement Its accord
with the spirit OF institutions and with the spirit
OF the OCCASION and its profound importance TO the
| country in reference especially TO our youth
full population. and the advantages to be
derived from the visits of schools and
| guilds and societies. seem too obvious
TO need discussion. fourth may be the employment
Of experts prepare reliable reports upon TIE Exhib
ton, with the view of deducing from It's various
branches every useful lesson that II may teach in mat
ters Of education art science, law, manufactures or
commerce. TO the end that the whole people may reap
benefit from the celebration ana that there may re-
main permanent record for the student and the his
torian.
or these points the most pressing, perhaps from the
shortness of the time be the inviting of lnterna-
tional Congresses and OF the foreign sovereigns.
Such congresses feature OF international exhi-
bons especially fitted to develop Its full intellectual
benefits harmony with the idea that the Exhibition
should be- as Prince Albert expressed IT, "a proof and
Irving picture Of the height OF civilization and the de-
velopment OF mankind For America such
an assemblago in midst OF the foreign
masters Of modern science would have fur
ther advantages which thoughtful Ameri-
can can overlook, in the appreciatve knowledge
which they would carry back Of the capacity aud re-
sources OF the Republic in progress in education,
science and art the character Of its people and their
| continuous OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES bearing
directly upon national prestige. credit and innu
ence our intellectual and scientific rank, the incen
tves to emigration and the confidence in our future
Such gathering OF the recognized leaders OF modern
civilization TO "consider questions" as European
journal expresses IT, shaving an interest for all hu
manity would OF itself the Exhibition far above
the idea sometimes entertained Of It as simply
gigantic fair; would give to it Intellectual character
beyond that Of any similar exhibition the past and
would make Centennial celebration OF unexampled
dignity in history Of the world with proofs in
the record OF its congresses Of the happy fruits OF in
ternational harmony.
Among the subjects for the congresses suggested
from Vienna nearly years ago for the consideration
OF the government and the Centennial Commission
we're the following
L Education, with reference, among other branches
TO the question Of obligatory education schools for
teaching trades and poly institutes such exist
in Austria and Germany; the teaching Of elementary
drawing In an schools OF music, the plan Of sending
children OF marked genus the proper schools Of
ginecrng mathe mates, design, &c, and tho question
how far the living languages may be advanta geously
substituted for the dead
very ably and satisfactorily treated a congress At
Vienna Of the greatest and most immediate Inn
portance inventors manufacturers and artisans.
The foreign correspondence OF government on this
subject would doubtless show something Of the extent
TO which American patentees suffer from the want
of international patent protection and the steps that
have been suggested and partially approved Of in
Europe for the adjustment Of this difficulty.
s international copyright affecting authors, pub
fishers and readers
Agriculture in It's various branches including the
dairy; agricultural implements, agricultural school
and farm steadings Subjects which could be convent
entity illustrated the spot by each great Power erect
Ing a farm steadng It's plot
Forestry, which recently occupied the atten ton o
, the House committee public lands, and on which
the expression OF the different countries OF Europe and
the opinion Of European experts might be found
importance in assisting restore declining forests
the consequences threatened by reckless
waste OF timber
Vines and Wines, where the experience OF Europe
might be Of much advantage
l. Fish Culture and the Preservation Of Came
, g. Medicine and Surgery, In which the best knowz
men OF both continents might contribute information
in their respective specaltes and regard TO general
| scourges like the cholera, and Diseases like
! diphtheria
O Music-which might perhaps form centre o.
attraction for composers and performers especially
each Of the great Powers shall send with commission
national band As regards the progress Of American.
, In music h is stated what appears DO reliable
authority, that at Lepsic there 800 Americana
studying instrumental music, and Al Milan 2O'
Q studying vocal music
4 10 Engineering And in connection with this sub
ject might be wen 10 have collection from foreign
countries, well as from own, OF models showing
! the great achievements Of modern engineering
. IL MISUNDERSTANDING churches, public build
ngs and domestic architecture, these again nigh
be illustrated by mo0cls from all countries
II hinng.-where papers from European experts
with working plans and models might be Of singula
interest 10 people, and where advance might
made In the preYention Of explosions