The New York herald., 1878-10-22
Closing Csrcmonies 81 the Paris
Exposition-Award OF Hoaors and
Prfx0a.

lively ana picturesque description oi Inc
pomp and parade which attended the award
of prizes in Paris yesterday. As scenic ex-
hibition it was worthy of the occasion. The
President of the Republic was present, sur
rounded by oil that is most illustrious and
dignifed in the official retinue of the
government; by all that is highest in the
foreign embassies; by the most conspicuous
persons who have taken an active part In
the practical administration of the Ex-
position, and by splendid array
of rank, beauty and fashion-''a
store of ladies whose bright eyes
rain influence" even though they did not,
as in the tournaments of former age,
'judge the prize" According to the de-
scriptions which we receive and publish it
was brilliant and festive spectacle, made
more brilliant and festive by the
vast assemblage of persons eager to
see. who themselves supplied the
best part of the spectacle which all were
anxious to observe. 1t was proud day for
Paris, for France, for the successful exhibit
ors, for science. art and industry, which
play SO conspicuous and resplendent part
in modern life and civilization.
Foremost among those who are entitled
to congratulations on this brilliant close of
a magnificent enterprise arc the people and
government of France, under whose au-
spices this successful Exposition has been
held. The points touched upon in President
MacMahon's appropriate address admitted
of more development than he could give
them on an occasion which required
brevity. Perhaps the most signal proof
which France has ever given Of the marvel
lous vitality Of her people, of the astonish-
ing recuperative power of the nation, of
the elastic buoyancy which no weight of
calamity can permanently depress, of
the wonderful resources by which
misfortune is retrieved and new
wealth created, has been shown in this
grand Exposition of 1878. Only brief
period of seven years has passed since this
most afflicted of nations lay prostrate be-
meath the feet of pitiless foreign enemy.
Her armies had been destroyed, her gov
ernment upset, resistless invading foe
was in possession of her capital. an op-
pIcSSlvc, dAu, ID ~ 5CCAAC0 Nv VAO
time, crushing indemnity had been i'm
posed upon her. She had been dismembered
in her territory, the fanatical Commune
threatened the very existence of property
and social order, and yet, in SO short
period, France alone, Of all civilized ma
tions, is in the enjoyment of full
career of prosperity. This is the
greatest social, political and industrial mir
acle of modern times. It is altogether more
wonderful than anything in the history of
the first French Revolution, because that
was q mere work of destruction,
whereas this is q work of crea-
ton. It requires only vulgar brute
force to pull down and destroy, but
q very different order Of faculties is requi-
site for rehabilitating q prostrate nation
and building up its industry. prosper
ity and political institutions. The two
kinds of power differ as that of bowling,
incendiary Bastile demolishing mob differs
workmen.
The present condition of France is the
most wonderful and instructive phenome-
non of the age in which we live. 1t is not
SO much the Exposition which produces
this impression as the state which SO sue
cessful an Exposition attests and illustrates.
France has more than rebuilt oil that was
demolished by the mighty invasion Of
her victorious German foes, and in every
industrial aspect and relation she stands in
q prouder position to-day than any other
European nation. In organizing this
Exposition she encountered many draw
backs. During the period Of prepara-
ton all Europe was agitated by
disturbing influences. The Eastern war
threatened to draw England, Austria and
perhaps Germany into its vortex, and these
nations were more occupied with
the impending European crisis than
with the opportunity for exhibiting the
products of their art and industry.
But in spite Of these adverse circumstances
France carried on her great peaceful enter
prise and has seen it crowned with brilliant
success. There is nothing strained or ex-
travagant in the fluctuations uttered yester-
day by President MacMahon.
IL is not mereiy Oh ner sPienoiu INDUS
trial recuperation that France is entitled to
warm congratulations. The American peo-
pie would be wanting in fidelity to their
own institutions if they failed on this occa-
sion to congratulate their great sister Re-
public on the shining success Of the new
form Of government It is under the
beneficent influence of free institutions that
this astonishing miracle of energy and re-
cuperntion has been achieved. 1t can
never hereafter be said that the re-
publican form Of government is not
fitted to carry France through a period
of trial and enable her to make the most
of her resources. She has fourished
under the Republic during a period of
disfress and depression in all the other m