Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-06-29
The international Exposition.
PROBABLE Results or THE GREAT
SHOW.

Perhaps 40 public enterprises ot
national importance has more justly
claimed the attention Of th" people
of the United States, or of tho world,
than the great international ESposi-
ton now In progress ut pbiladelpl'ih.
That such n gathering together OF
the miliinns al all the world, with
the products nf their Industry, IN
ventiyo genius and knowledge Of
the sciences, should hnv" no impor-
tant result would bc to snppos" thht
such an event had no Significance
beyond mere display for merconnry
motives. Vet the opinion has h"en
expressed, and perhaps honestly,
that the principle motive Of those
who inaugnratcd the gigantic enter
prise, il money; and those who hold
this opinion seem to SEQ no result
beyond the enrichment of Il compar-
alive fsw at the expense Of millions.
And that the Government should
have appropriated several million"
of dollars u aid in the speculation
adding 40 much 20 tho burden 0i TAX
upon those who are too poor 10 de-
rive any benefit from 1t, seems II
cause Of complaint.
Now, IL il not for us To Sny what
were the real designs Of those who
first suggested the magnificent pro
iect. or Of those who have since on
dorsed aud finally carried 1t into sue
cessful execution, or Of those who
voted IL Gayornment aid. Ihey
may have been prompted Wy K"
patriotic sentiment, or, at ichs'
some Of thcm-we cannot aii'ii'
that all were nctuated by the hope oI
speculation. 1t is well known that
but few public enterprises or demon
STATIONS arc not made mn opportu
nifty for speculation by certain par
ties. Particularly arc our Fourth q
July celebrations time for sfihi
tradesmcn 10 reap harvest OF sma'
change, aud they do IL win ~, ih
dustry that apparently ignores everl
sentiment OF patriotism. ghe ics
tiviiies Of tie grrnt day arc notiilni
10 them hryoud what they confirm
ute u their m.ans 0f speculation
| Even The principal orator Of the oc
casion may bo the ltifellng Of ib'7'
specuIators. In short, for The SAX
Of argument, We may coneehe th''
money. getting j. The secret ioahaa
lion Of the whole thing; yN thi
does not destroy the importance q
the event NJ tending 10 keep alive th
memory Of the greatest event ~ I'd
history of our country.
/ - IL IL la relation 10 the grc'
Centennial Celebration. IbnuHiihh
OF people viii seek 10 make ~
aourcs Of wealth, that, perhaps, be
| ing not only their ruling but thei
only motive. Commercial specnis
| tors. manufacturers, artists ard pro
dneers in every department OF ht
man industry will here have q mean
| Of dlsposiDg Of their goods and get
tfnx their huSineA. ADVERTISED
| tfrDmgi, the literary periodicals Q
the world, establishing their rep,ta
iion- 10 the value Of millions. Rail
road companies and hotel keeper
will make fortunes; and perhaps ui'
prospect Of ~ d1iDg il, with most o
Them, tho only interest they have ~
tho great csmcerD. In fact VIC may
admit that speculation ~ ut the bot
tom Of 1t aii; yet does this argue that
no good results may come Of II?
fsecause money II tho principal mo
live for any enterprise, ~ evil tho
only result expectedg Do people
Who build up cities simply with
view 10 making tl,cir own fortunes.
bring OWL upon communities7 Hath
er blessing.