The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-11-27
The Great Exhibition.

Six months ago, under bright May
day sun, the international Exhibition OF
1876 was inaugurate,i, in the presence OF
the highest officials Of the nation,
throng of distinguished guests from
abroad, and nearly 15O, 900 people. The
term OF tho great enterprise has reached
it's appointed close, which was signalized
by ceremonies no less appropriate and
imposing. Between the two memorable
days Of opening and closing lies period
OF singular importance tn our country,
and OF direct interest to the whole civil
lized world. The chief obstacles to the
success OF the exhibition had been over
como before it opened, and its increas-
ing popularity from that 1ay to tho
close was to have been anticipated but
It's true value as n vast educational in
huence will remain permanent legacy
to the people. In its extent, complete
ness, beauty OF location and general ar
rangement II has been equally surprise
and IN enjoyment, impressing foreign
visitors with new sense Of our Ameri-
can civilization, and encouraging our
own citizens by the contrast OF their art
and industry with that OF tho world.
The attendance reaches total OF about
s, S,000, 900, and the receipts amount to
nearly 81, 100000.
But We chiefly rejoice in tho remark
ablo material successor the undertaking,
because it represents such total Of op-
portunity, such q widespread uso OF
rcro advantages. II has stirred tens Of
thousands OF remote communities with
tho sense OF fresh knowledge OF the
world and it's races and nations. II has,
moreover, brought East and West,
Sonth aud North familiarly together,
obliterating narrow local prejudiccs,
knitting'a web Of pleasant acquaintance
ship over the whole country, aud insen.
sibly teaching lessons Of patriotism,
tolerance and humanity. In this vast
intermixturo Of the four quarters Of the
republic, not n single iarrirg touo
seems to havc been struck; even tho in
eyitable inconvenienccs Of travel over
crowded limos were borne with patience
and cheerfulness. There have been de-
lays OF trains, but only ono serious ac-
cidunt; tho predicted cxtortions aud
privatiens havc been few and far be-
tween; the arrangements made to nc-
commoda.e the public on the Exhlbi-
tion grounds have worked to the I'D
miration Of the world; and never before
have so many milliors OF spectators
gone home so well satisfied.
This year marks the beginning OF n
correct knowledge OF our country and
people among foreign nations. The
Exhibition represented, both in its cha
ractcr and arrangement, and in the per-
sons OF its millions Of visitors, the ma-
terial and intellectual development Of
the nation, during hundred years Of
republican government. 1t seems trite
to call the picture unprecedented but,
by tho power Of favoring circumstances,
it is really placed above tho reach OF any
historical comparison. To have offered
it to the world, eleven years after such q
war as no nation has endured for cen.
turies, and ut the end OF nearly three
year1 OF severe financial depression, is
indeed triumph worthy Of this centen.
nial year. Wo will not now refer to tho
stimulus given to all forms Of our native
industry. That it will become gradually
manifest, to our lasting Improvement
and advantage, is quite certain /; and we
believe that the mutual interchange OF
knowledge and skill, introduced as q
new element in the industry OF tho
world, will benodt oil nations alike.