The New York herald., 1876-02-07
The Centennial EKhIbItiOn-A Second
Letter from MIR. Jay.

| specting other features of this intrepid and
exceedingly piquant communication. 1t is
diplomatic enough in language. but its
daringly suggestive undertone, the nature of
the facts it recites and its unsparing impli-
cations against persons in authority make it
spicy reading. We have seldom met with so
much mordant sarcasm under so grave and
decorous an exterior The rude intercourse
Of our government, its diplomatic methods
and manners, are laid on the dissecting
table by very unrelenting operator, and
the scalpel is skilfully inserted at points
where the nervous sensibility is great
est and where every turn of the
knife must cause the patient to writhe
The Vienna scandal, the Catacazy
scandal and various other scandals con-
neeted with our foreign relations are brought
under review with so little tenderness other
than that implied in the smoothness and
polish of the dissecting instrument, which
cuts neatly instead of hacking, that the let
ter is certain TO make q sensation in diplo-
matte quarters.
We must not permit these seductively
provoking matters to divert attention from
the main, or, at least the ostensible, pur-
pose of the letter, which is to advocate an
invitation to the crowned heads of Europe
to assist by their presence at the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia. Frankness re-
quires us to say that Mr.. Jay has not re-
moved the doubts we expressed on former
occasion of the practicability of surrounding
the Centennial with this added splendor.
We concede that it would be a most
attractive feature of the celebration.
We are not prepared to contest any of
the grounds on which Mr.. jay urges
its fitness and propriety, and, least of all,
that main ground ON which his argument
chiefly rests-namely, its good effect if
properly done, in redeeming the lost credit of
the country for international decorum and
respectful treatment of foreign Powers. Mr..
jays mortifying recitals of fragrant breaches
by our government of international courtesy
demonstrate the need of doing something
for recovering forfeited esteem and vindicat-
ing our title to be considered as a civilized
and cultured people; but we are neverthe-
less, constrained to think that his impressive
plea for international good manners will
not be needed in the form in which he
presents it.
1t is too evident that it would only make
bad matter worse for the President to give
the suggested invitations without an ade-
quate appropriation by Congress for meeting
the requirements of a suitable hospitality
1t would be mortifying violation of all les
bienSeances to invite the European monarchs
on a great occasion of national festivity and
then fail to treat them with the considera-
ton due to their exalted rank. Mr.. Jay un-
derstands this better than anybody could
tell him. and his proposal contemplates the
appropriation by Congress of from half
million to q million dollars for the entertain
ment of such invited guests. A full million
| is as small a sum as would suffice for making
our hospitality respectable, and even
beyond that there should be a liberal
margin for unforeseen contingencies.
Even at private entertainment it
would be unspeakably awkward if the
host should so closely limit his expense that
the wine gave out before the end of the re-
past, and when the dignity and hospitality
of a nation are in question we might make
ourselves the derision of the world by mig
gardly preparations in any one point Such
thing should not be attempted without
ample means for carrying it through credit
ably and handsomely, else there would be
great danger that we should ''make the un-
skilful laugh and the judicious grieve."
! Nou, rvb;1a dafarripo in avarv xvav tO
the Judgment of Mr. Jay as to the fitness of
what he proposes, we have entire confidence
in our own ability to make pretty correct
rough estimate of the temper and senti-
ments of Congress ON such subject We
regard it as quite certain that Congress
could not be induced to make the requi-
site appropriation. If it were intro
duced and pressed it would be assailed
with every weapon that could be drawn from
the armory of ridicule or argument. We
have seen with what obstinate violence the
appropriation for completing the necessary
buildings and preparations was opposed.
We know that it was only by the most indie
fatigable diligence, and by bringing to bear
all the arts of personal influence and per-
suasion that it was got through the House
at all, and then only by small majority.
An appropriation for entertaining the
crowned heads of Europe would have to run
the gauntlet of great deal of scoffing, clumsy
| derision as we'll as hostile argument II
would be represented as an unrepublican
and unbecoming Difference FOR the trappings
| of royalty. Numerous instances would be
cited and paraded of the wretched taste and
/ bad manners which have so often mutilated
official hospitalities in this country in the
hands of bunglers, and of the reckless
waste of public money on such occasions,
of which aldermanic hospitality in this and
other cities would furnish nauseous sup