The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-03
OUR PARIS LETTER.
The Great Exhibition-A General Review BY
our Correspondent.
Correspondence Of the Democratic Adoooate.
PARIs. JrLY IA. 1s7s-

01iei description OF my voyage across the
Atlantic, promising to write again from
Hamburg and Copenhagen. l have been
obliged to dissapoint you in that respect,
Tor upon my arrival at Hamburg a dozen
brothers and almost an equal number of
sisters and was almost going to say faith
ers and mothers, were on the dock to meet
me. | was captured and did not have
moments peace until | got away from them
and found myself in Paris. | am late in
the field, but shall make up for time lost
Among the most instructive develop
ments of modern civilization are the inter
national exhibitions which, commencing
In London in 1851, under the inspiration
and auspices of the late sagacious and pub
lie spirited Prince Albert, have been sue
eeeded by more extended and comprehen-
sive ones, closing with our own glorious
Centennial. The French Exposition of
1878 embraces in its scope the productions
and results of every industry, art, and
science, as well as their processes and
methods Of operation This is done not
merely for purposes of competition and in
the distribution of prizes, but also and
more especially, with the object of passing
in review, under the scrutiny of the
most accomplished experts and men of
science, all of the fruits of the skill, indus
try, and exact condition and the compare
tive merits or defects of the industrial
development of each nation and of each
description of article or process could be
set forth. The progress which such ex-
animation indicates of the exhibits, and to
describe the highest standards of excel
lence, is my aim while in Paris. From
the commencement of the Industrial epoch
which dates from the London Exhibition
of 1851 the profound significance and value
of such exhibitions as this have been rea-
lized by the people and governments of
civilized nations. Their benefcent infiu-
enees are many and widespread; they ad-
vance human knowledge in all directions
Through the universal language of the pro-
ducts of labor the artisans of all countries
hold communication; ancient preiudices
are broken down, are fraternized; generous
rivalries in the peaceful fields of industry
are excited; the tendencies to war are les
sened; and better understanding between
labor and capital is fostered. 1t is graft
flying to note that these great exhibitions
are planned and executed in the interests Of
the mass of the people. In the present
instance those industries, products, and
organizations designed to promote the ma
terial and moral well-being of the people
are made prominent, and the underlying
animating spirit and impulse of the whole
plan are for the advancement, prosperity,
and happiness of the people of all nations
One of the most salutary results is the
promotion of an appreciation of the true
dignity of labor, and its paramount claims
to consideration as the basis of national
wealth and power.
Such exhibitions have become national
necessities and duties, and as such it may
be expected that they will be repeated
again and again hereafter.
As a participator in this great interna-
tional display the United States have la
bored under many disadvantages well
known to all Americans. The remoteness
of the Exhibition, and lazy Congress
greatly discouraged effort, inasmuch as
comparatively few of the exhibitors could
get ready and attend to placing and ex-
planning their contributions in time The
broad Atlantic separates our artisans and
producers from the Champ de Mars, while
most of the great competing nations are
connected by rail directly with the Expo
sition building. The cost of transporta-
tion within the limits of the United States
to the agency in New York was consider
able, and although the contributions were
forwarded across the ocean by the govern
ment, no provision is made for the re-
packing and return of the articles, which
at the close of the Exhibition are to be at
the risk and expense of the exhibitor, and
thus many persons who would have joined
in the exhibition were deferred from taking
any part in it.
Yet notwithstanding all these difficult
ties, the country may be congratulated
upon the success of its exhibition; and the
skill, industry, and energy of the people
do not suffer by comparison in the great
international contest
Our raw materials are not excelled by
any in the Exposition, and by their varie-
ty, abundance and quality, gives convinc-
ing evidence of the extraordinary material
wealth of our States and Territories. In
the display of mineral products the coal of
Pennsylvania, the gold and silver of Cali
fornia, Nevada, Idaho and Colorado. the
copper and iron of Minnesota, the zine
ores of New Jersey, and the emery of
Massachusetts,, are especially prominent
The collection is rich, but some regions
and products are disproportionately repre-
sented, and it lacks that unity and com
pleteness which can only be attained
through intelligent organized effort. Al
most all other prominent displays in this
class are prepared with the strong aid and
authority of the governments, through
regularly organized corps of engineers.
In forestry and productions of the forest
the display made by the United States is
not good. Much attention is given to this
class by other countries; the display made
by France, Brazil, Australia, and particu-
larly Canada, are notably features of the
Exposition.
The exhibitions of the cereal productions
anl of the rotfon fohanno vvool arI o,La,