Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-05-24
NEW SERIES--VOL. II, NO. 81

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and Of its progress in those arts whic
benefit mankind" and ordered that a
exhibition of American and foreig
arts, products and manufactures shoul
be held, under the auspices Of the go'
ernment Of the United States in th
city Of Philadelphia in the year 1871
To put into effect the several laws +,
lating to the exhibition, the Unite
States Centennial Commission was col
stitntcd, composed of two commission
ers from each State and Territory
nominated by their respective Govern
ors, and appointed by the President
The Congress ;.lso created our auxiliar,
and associate corporation, the Ccnten
NAL Board Of Finance, whose unexpect
edly heavy burdens have been nobll
borne. A remarkable and prolonged
disturbance Of the finances and indus
tries Of the country has greatly mag
nified the task, but we hope for a fa
yorable Judgment OF the degree of sue
cess attained. July A, 1873, this grount
was dedicated to its present uses
Twenty-one months ago this Memor
lal Hall was begun. All the 1870 build
lngs within the inclosure have beer
erected within twelve months. AL
the buildings embraced in the plans o.
the commission itself are finished.
l The demands OF applicants exceeded
the space, and strenuous and continuous
Efforts have been made to get every
exhibit ready in time.
BY general consent the Exhibition
IS appropriately held in the city Of
Brotherly Love fonder, almost with
in your view, stands the venerated ed
ihce wherein occurred the event this
work IS designed TO commemorate, and
the hall in which the tirst Continental
Congress assembled. Within thepres-
ent limits OF this great park were the
homes OF eminent patriots of that era,
where Washington and his associates
received generous hospitality and able
counsel. You have observed the sur
passing beauty OF the situation placed
az our disposal: In harmony with all
tins htness IS The liberal support given
the enterprise oy the State, the city,
ana the people individually.
In the name oil the United States,
you extended a respectful and cordial
invitation to the governments ofother
nations TO be represented and TO par
tlclpate IN this Exhibition. You know
the very acceptable terms in which
they responded, from even the most
distant regions. Their commissioners
are here, and you Will soon see with
what energy and brllllancy they have
entered upon this friendly competition
in the arts OF peace.
1t has been the fervent hope Of the
Commission that, during this festival
year, the people from all States and
sections, OF all creeds and churches, all
parties and classes, burying all resent
ments, would come up together to this
birthplace OF our liberties, TO study the
evidence Of our resources; to measure
the progress Of a hundred years to
examine to our profit the wonderful
products Of other lands; but especial
y W Joln nanuS ~ periec' iiaternity,
anu pio'n'so .ne oou y, our ia.nvrs
old IL tbo trro ciorios ns o;r;l;.ot;nn
And fnr,bermors that from tbe asso
c;ation here Of welcome v;s;tors % srow from
ali nations there NAV resnlt not aIona
rroa, banoS,s to ;nyon,;on ,"annc'o 49, c
trres aor;cnl,rro trade and ,onan,arao
bnt als6 s,rongsr ;ntsrnational friend
sbins and more lastinr neace
Tb,s ranor,;n, ,a 70, IT.. p,os;
dent. under the laws of the Govern.
ment and the usage on similar occa.
sions. in the name of the United States
Centennial Commission / present To
vour view the International Exbibi.
ton of 1876
Every one was then on tiptoe to see
President Grant and TO hear his re.
spon,e. He was received with cheers
and read his speech in such a low voice
as to be inaudible twenty wards from
the stand. It was in The following
language;
,nnprss nv rur nprs,nvvr ov r,v
,s,rrn sr.mrs
,o ~ I. i
my ooun'rymeh' ~ peen lnousnt
upon tms oentenniai oc-
casloh 70 oring togetner IN fhiladei'
pnia, ior popular inspection, specimens
OF our al'a'hments IN 'ne ihuustriai
ana nne arts, ana IN literature, science
ana Philosophy, as wen as IN the great
business oil agriculture and oil COM
merce'
That we may the more thoroughly
the exceliencies ana dencien-
cies oi our achievements, and also give
emphatic expression 10 our earnest de-
sire to cultivate the friendship Of our
ielloow'members OF this great family OF
nations tne ehiightened agricultural,
commercial ana manufacturing people
Of the world have been invited TO send
hither corresponding specimens OF
their skill TO exhibit on equal terms IN
friendly competition with our own.
10 this invitation they have generous
ly responded Tor so dong we render
them our hearty thanks
The beauty and utility OF the con,
trlbutions Will this day be submitted
to your inspection by the managers OF
this Exhibition. We are glad to know
that view OF specimens OF the skill of
all nations will afford TO you unalloyed
pleasure, as wen as yield to you a val
nable practical knowledge OF SO many
Of the remarkaole results oil the won.
deriul skill existing IN enlightened
communities
Q ~. I