The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-11-23
The Great Exhibition.

Six months ago, under bright May
day sun, the International Exhibition of
1876 was inaugurated, in the presence of
the highest officials OF the nation, q
throng of distinguished guests from
abroad, and nearly 150, 900 people. The
term of tho great enterprise has reached
its 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 to our country,
and OF direct interest to the whole civil
lized world. The chief obstacles to the
success of the exhibition had been over
come before it opened, and its increas-
ing popularity from that day to the
close was to have been anticipated but
its true value as vast educational in
fuence will remain permanent legacy
to the people. In its extent, complete
ness, beauty of location and general ar
rangement it has been equally surprise
and an 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 the world.
The attendance reaches total OF about
5000, 600, and the receipts amount to
nearly $4, 100000.
But we chiefly rejoice in the remark
able material success of the undertaking,
because it represents such total of op-
portunity, such widespread use of
rare advantages. 1t has stirred tens Of
thousands of remote communities with
the sense of fresh knowledge of the
world and its races and nations. It has,
moreover, brought East and West,
South aud North familiarly together,
obliterating narrow local prejudices,
emitting a web of pleasant acquaintance
ship over the whole country, and insen-
sibly teaching lessons of patriotism,
tolerance and humanity. In this vast
intermixture of the four quarters of the
republic, not single jarring tone
seems to have been struck; even the in
evitable inconvenience of travel over
crowded lines were borne with patience
and cheerfulness. There have been de-
lays of trains, but only one serious ac-
cident; the predicted extortions and
privatiyns have been few and far be-
tween; the arrangements made to ac-
commodate the public on the E1hibi-
tion grounds have worked to the ad-
miration of the world; and never before
have SO many millions of spectators
gone home so we'll satisfied.
This year marks the beginning of a
correct knowledge of our country and
people among foreign nations. The
Exhibition represented, both in its cha
racter 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 the power of fayoring circumstances.
it is really placed above the reach of any
historical comparison. To have offered
it to the world, eleven years after such q
var as no nation has endured for GEN.
turies, and at the end of nearly three
years of severe financial depression, is
indeed a triumph worthy of this centen-
nial year. We will not now refer to the
stimulus given to all forms of our native
industry. That it will become gradually
manifest, to our lasting improvement
aud advantage, is quite certain and we
believe that the mutual interchange OF
knowledge and skill, introduced as O
new element in the industry of the
world, will benefit all nations alike.