The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-22
PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
oonaponaenes d bid DenoeralIe Aaroeal.


There is a feature of the international
Exposition that puzzles me. Why should
the Nations which may tomorrow be at
each others threats make public displays
Of their military points, peculiarities and
strength, presenting elaborate models of
their Notifications, arms and equipments
1t had always seemed to me that the policy
of nation should be to conceal her fight
ing strength or forte from her neighbors,
and, in the event of war, receive them as
much as possible in ambuscade. The
maxim "si us pdcem, para belllrm," is
doubtless true and applicable to indiyidu-
ais as well as peoples, but it Is difficult to
see the policy of giving possible enemy
all the means and measures Of preparation.
France, Russia, Spain, Brazil and the
United States, have very complete military
and naval exhibits, consisting of accurate
models of fortified places, ports, gunboats,
arscnals, pontoon bridges, arms, camp and
hospital equipments, etc. OF these, those
Of the United States, France and Spain,
are in buildings erected by their respec-
ticc governments, while the Russian and
Brazilian displays are in Machinery Hall.
The Spanish government building is Ioea-
ted in remote portion Of the grounds, at
the foot Of Georges Hill, and, for this
reason, it has failed to attract the attention
which an inspection of its contents will
repay. The exhibits are the contribution
of the Royal Academy of Military Engi-
neers, and comprises complete and inter
esting display of the Notifications OF Spain
and her military establishment Immedi-
ately within the entrance of the door is u
model Of the Barbette gun, it is planted
within mainiature fortress and is gcner-
ally called seige gun, it being too heavy
for field manoeuvering. Upon each side
of the door are figures for the display Of
the uniform Of the various branches of the
Spanish army. There are exhibited a
number of models of fortified posts in
Spain, designed by the officers Of the
Spanish army and executed by the stu.
dents of the Royal Academy; one of these
models is a remarkable specimen Of the
skill of these cadets. 1t is Il representa-
ton of the seat of war in Morocco, in 1858.
1t shows the line of march Of the Spanish
troops during the campaisa, the location
of the camps of all the armies, and is very
perfect representation of the military stu
alton during the continuance of hostilities
A model of the city and Notifications of
San Sebastian in the northern part of Spain
is shown, also a model of model strong
hold, supposed to be impregnable The
plan is that the infantry shall first engage
the enemy on the plain below, when, if
they are forced to retire, they may fall
back upon more elevated position where
they will be supported by casemated guns,
and their retreat, in case it should become
necessary, covered. As last resource,
they have the top of the tower where are
planted the heavy Barbette guns. A re-
presentation Of the aqueduct of Segovia,
which is thirteen miles long and still in
a remarkable state Of preservation is shown
and is similar in form and construction to
another which formerly existed in Spain,
but has long since fallen into decay. A
feature Of the Spanish army shown here is
its train Of pack mules, used to carry snail
field artillery as well as the paraphanalia
of the camp to those mountain Businesses
which are inaccessible by other means of
transportation. A pontoon train like those
in use by the United States army is ex-
hibited, consisting of the boats aud planks
required to lay bridge in the shortest
possible time. The display of small arms
is meagrc, but they are very elegant in
shape and finish. Sabres, swords, stilletos,
dirks are very tastefully arranged upon
shields covered with purple velvet One
portion of this building was designed to
exhibit the natural history of Spain, but
the collections are yet very incomplete,
consisting of few birds and cats. The
display of the varieties Of woods indigo
nous to Spain is here, the most conspicu-
Gus being cork.
To the visitor who has become somewhat |
familiar with the Exposition, its faults and |
imperfections are apparent. In the main |
building, nearly half a mile from her gov
ment building, Spain has very creditable |
display Of coal, ores, cereals, etc., why her
display should be divided in this way, |
and confusing the visitor, is
something that no fellow can find out"
But this is not the case with the exhibit
Of Spain alone. The exhibits of some
other countries are scattered around with
out the appearance Of method. Perhaps
at our Ducentcnnial, our great grandchil-
iren will be less ambitious to occupy more
space than any previous Exposition than
% present the world with compact dis
play that may be seen with best advantage
~ the largest number. g.
If God our Heavenly Father seems
Instant and uuiuviting to US, it is because,
ike the prodigal son, we have taken our