Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-08-08
OUR PARIS LETTER.
THE GREAT ExHIBITION-A GENERAL
REVIEW BY OUR CORRESPONDENT.
PARIS. July 13, '78.

PARIS, July 13, '78.
On landing in Liverpool | sent you
a brief description of my voyage
across the Atlantic, promising to
write again from Hamburg and CO.
have been obliged to
disappOint you in that respect, for
upon my arrival at Hamburg a dozen
brothers and almost an equal num-
ber of sisters, and | was almost GO
ing to say fathers and mothers, were
OH the dock to meet mel was cap
tured and did not have q 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 de-
velopments of modern civilization
are the International exhibition
which, commencing in 1851, under
the inspiration and auspices of the |
late sagacious and public spirited |
Prince Albert, have been succeeded !
by more extended and comprehen-
sive ones, closing with our own
glorious Centennial. The French |
Exhibition of 1873 embraces in its
scope the productions and results of
every industry, art, and science, as
well as their process 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 III review, under the scrut-
my Of the most accomplished experts
and men OF science, all of the fruits
Of the skill industry. and exact con-
dition and the comparative merits or
defect of the industrial development
of each nation and of each descrip-
| ton OF article or process could be
set forth. The progress which such
examination indicates of the exhibits;
and to describe the highest stand
ards of excellence, Is my aim while
i'll Paris. From the commencement
of the industrial epoch which dates
from the London Exhibition of 1851
! the profound significance and value
of such exhibitions a. this have been
realized by the people and govern
ments OF civilized nations. Their
benefiClent influences are many and
widespread; they advance human
know ledge III all directions. Through
the universal language Ofthe products
of labor the artisans of all countries
hold communication; ancient preju-
dice are broken, are tratcrniZcd; gem
crUus rivalrics i'll the peaceful fields
of industry are excited; the tenden-
cies TO war are lessened; and IL better
understanding between labor and
capital is fastened. 1t is gratifying
To note that these great exhibitions
are planned and executed in the in
tercsts of the mass of the people. In
the present instance those industries,
products, and organizations designed
TO promote the material and moral
well-being Of the people are made
prominent, and the underlying ami
mating spirit and impulse of the
whole plan are for the advancement +.
prosperity, and happiness of the peo-
ple of all nations. One of the most
sratuary results is the promotion Of
Ian appreciation of the true aignitv
Of labor, and it's paramount claims to
consideration as the basi. of national
wealth and power.
Such exhibitions have become ma
tiOnal necessities and duties, and as
such it may be expected that they
will be repeated again and again
hereafter.
AS participator i'll this great in
ternational display the United States
have labored under many disadvan-
tages well known to all Americans.
The remoteness of the Exhibition,
and lazy Congress greatly discour-
aUed effort, inasmuCh as comparative
~ few of the exhibitors could get
ready and attend to placing aud ex-
planning their contributions in time.
The broad Atlantic separates our
Artisans and producers from the
Champ de Mors, while most of the
great competing nations are connect
ed by rail directly with the EXposi-
ton building. The cost of transpor-
,atiou within the limits of the United
States to the agency in New York
was considerable, and although the
contributions were forwarded across
the ocean by the government, no
provisions is made for the repackin9
and return of the articles, which at
the close of the Exhibition are to be
at the risk and expense OF the eXhibl-
tor, and thus many persons who
would have Joined in the Exhibition
were deferred from taking any part
in il.
Yet. Notwithstanding all these diff
cultics. the country NAV be congratu-
IaIed upon the success of its eXhibi-
ton: and the skill, industry, and
energy for the people does not suffer
hv comparison in the great inter.
national contest.
Ourraw materials are not excelled
L bv any i'll the Exposition, and by
their variety, abundance, and quail
,y. gives convincing evidence of the
extraordinary material wealth of Oui
States and Territories. On the dis
. play of mineral products the coal Of
PENNSYLVANIA, the gold and silver OF
California, Nevada, Idaho and Colo
4 RADIO, the copper and iron OF Mime
-, nesota, the zine ores of New Jersey
and the emery of Massachusetts, are
3 especially prominent. The collection
t is rich: but some regions and pro
ducts are disproportionatcly repre-
, sented, and it lacks that UNITY ant
8 lcou,pleteness which can only be at
p tanned through intelligent ORGANIZED
effort. Almost all other promlnent
q DISPLAYS in this class are prepared
i with the strong aid and authority o
the Governments, through regardl,
oroanized corps of engineers.
= In forestry and productions of thu
forest the display made by the Unite6
states is not good. Much attention
ia Given to this class by other coun
n tries: the display made by France
/ Brazil, Australia, and particularly
Canada, are notable features of thu
Exposition.
It The exhibitions of the cereal pro
:, ductions an / of the cotton, tobacco
wool, and other staple products
o though in some instances prominen
e and thoroughly satisfactory, are il
e general fragmentary and not on I
Scale commensurate with the enor
G nous capacity of the country fol
: their production. The absence o
4, rich furnishings, upholstery, ant
decorative work, and manufactures
y depending for their excellence upoI
n a high degree of taste and skill il
:, design is conspicuous.
q ALPHA.