The New York herald., 1879-12-24
SECRETARY SHERMAN.
Reception by the Worlds
Fair Committee.
THE COMING EXPOSITION.
New York the Best Place in
Which to Hold It.

An important meeting of the Executive COMMITTEES
of the Citizens Worlds Fair Committee held
yesterday afternoon at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. at
which Secretary Sherman and Attorney General
Devens addressed the members the purposes OF
the proposed international exhibition and the bene-
hcial results that would undoubtedly flow there
from. The committee whose headquarters 1t
the ST. Nicholas Hotel had changed the place OF their
meeting to the Fifth Avenue for the OCCASION. in
order that the Secretary should not be incommoded
by the dirty streets and inclement weather.
Secretary Evarts expected, but signifed his
inability to be present. The meeting convened at
three O'Clock. President Henry G. Stebbins in tho
chair. Among the other gentlemen present
Messrs. Thurlow Weed. General Graham, George r.
Blanchard general traffic manager of the Erie Rail-
road; Benjamin A. Willis. Rufus Hatch and W. H. c,
Price. Mr.. Stebbins called the meeting to order. Mr..
Price acted as secretary. and motion a committee
of three-Messrs. Haines. Graham and Willis-were
appointed to notify Secretary Sherman Of their de-
sire for his presence. Before proceeding on theiI
mission Mr.. Willis stated that committee had
called upon Secretary Evarts Ia the morning and
although being unable to be present at the meeting
he had assured the gentlemen Of his hearty co-ope
ration and support in the objects they all had in
view.
Secretary Sherman, General Devens and the mem.
bers of the committee then appeared and were re-
ceived by those present. Mr. Stebbins said that the
committee had called upon Secretary Sherman to
deavor to solicit from him some expression Of his
opinions in regard to the Worlds Fair. The coun-
try had taken new start on the highway to pros
perity and making progress far beyond any thing
contemplated before In his own mind the mo-
ment singularly appropriate to organize .
Worlds Fair. to be held ut not very remote period.
Mr. W. H. c. Price then gave brief history OF
the association and the work it had accomplished.
after which Secretary Sherman called on to re.
spond, which he did as follows:-
EXHIBITIONS ANCIENT AND MODERN.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN-As you all know.
this. to me. is rather surprise party. very
glad to hear that progress has been made toward the
holding OF Worlds Fair in this great city only
three or four years hence. 1 have not been unob-
servant Of the steps that have been taken by you
from time to time: have watched with interest all
that has been published in the papers and am now
glad to hear such favorable account Of your eff
forts. The worlds fair OF modern times
don fair in 1851. These have been much i'm
proved upon since that time. The French exhibition
OF 1867 had the pleasure to attend. It was to mo
not only surprise. but wonder for saw the pro-
ductons Of all nations and the representatives OF all
people under the same roof exhibiting their handi-
work. comparing their industry aud exchanging
their products. Ever since that time have been
impressed with the great value of these grand ex-
hibitions. Our own exhibition at Philadelphia was
q remarkable success, not only in value and number
OF contents but in The character aud representative
that exhibition can never be estimated thor
onghly. 1 have myself heard many gentlemen
who had their products on exhibit. saving that
their productions had been largely sold in foreign
countries, where they were not known before. Tho
agricultural implements manufactured in Ohio are
They sent to Australia, Russia. Austria Hungary
and the different countries of Europe and South
selling its productions in all the civilized countries
of the world. The city of Philadelphia has gained
enormously by the development OF its manufactured
productions. Therefore by no means want to be-
little the results of one of these great exhibitions.
NEW YoRK's NATURAL ADVANTAGE.
New York is the natural place In this country for
OF those great exhibitions 1t Is the city OF
commerce where people OF our own country aud
of all other nations exchange works and mercban.
disc. OF the twelve hundred and odd millions Of
foreign commerce more than three quarters
tired here in this city. You pay Of all
customs duties and It is natural therefore, that in
this great centre OF commerce one of these great
exhibitions should be held. There was at one time
ousy-perhaps that Is too strong q word-some
little rivalry Of feeling do not think there was
success of that great exhibition probably than
any other three cities Of the continent. And. IL
So the
not only of Phladephia. put OF every city and ham
let in this broad land. This country OF ours il
peculiarly adapted to such fair because our pro-
ductions more varied than those Of any other
nation. Our population is greater than that of any
civilized Christian country. with the exception Of
Russia. We have already surpassed that cid
Empire of France which for more than thousand
years has held the lead in the civilization of Europe.
When you compare our productions with those Of
orher countries will be seen that we surpass them
i'll every respect There is no country that can pro-
duce gold and silver like ours. Our granaries are
beginning to send forth On increase of supplies.
Our capacity for raising cattle is not equalled by
cheaper than they. By our cheap prices. by the
savings and economy made necessary by Ave years
of hard times, we arc rivaliing all the marta. OF
Europe.
"Goop TIMES BOOM.
England used to boast that with her coal she
commanded the manufactures OF the world and so
she did. but now are competing with her in
supplying the world with fuel. Our means Of
trans portation have increased from one cent per
ton per mile in 1878 to point where the railroads
can make u reasonable pront at one-half cent. We
have not only improved our mode of Transports
ton but we have now over eighty miles OF
railway bringing the productions Of every port
and Of every country to New York. Here
these roads must have their outlet.
that II you look at the condition OF our
country, its commerce. its manufactures its unde-
afford to the greatest exhibition Of modern
times. (Appause.) In order to accomplish this
nation ITSELF so that every town may have the same
interest in its success the city OF New York You
must make 1t also nternatonal-extending to every
Christian country and even to every pagan country.
SO that every land aud every cline may be repre-
sented at this great mart of New York.
We may almost hope to in our own day when
New York will be the empire city OF the world.
when the finances Of all nations shall seek through
her their exchanges Even now 1t is rapidly becom.
ing So San Francisco and the West Is becoming the
clearing house tor the trade OF China and Japan.
and San Francisco must necessarily make her
changes with you. 1 believe that in due time tho
money power OF the world will be here In this city
of New York. AS matter of course can have but
very little influence in your movements success.
and can only say that wish you to go ahead with
all the energy that you to any other enterprise
and let have the biggest show Of the world ZAP
plausc.l
After Secretary sherman had concluded loud calls
made for Attorney General Devcns. smiling,
he and said that he had just been making call
the Secretary of the Treasury and the committee
had found him ut the rooms OF that gentleman and
invited him to step down stairs with him. OF
his utterances not important ~ those
of the Secretary OF the Treasury, and he would
only say that he wished the worlds Fair every
success. He thought there could be no place
more appropriate tor the Worlds Fair than that
city which was the representative OF the energy.
the enterprise and the vast resources OF what
Columbus termed the 'New World" (Applause.)
Mr. Thurlow Weed was next called for. lie said
that after the remarks Of the guest he
thought enough had been said for one day, and re-