The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-07-03
international Exhibitions.

International exhibitions have be
come prominent and permanen
feature of the civilization of to-day
they are, in truth. the natural out
growth of the fearless, cosmopolitan
spirit of commercial enterprise which
has done so much to overthrow the
barrier of ignorance and prejudice. 1
the prince consort, to whose unselfisE
efforts was chiefly due the success O
the first great exhibition at London
could return to earth he would fine
that the periodical international COM
petitions have exercised an influence
OF which, with all his statesmanlike
prescience, he could never have dream
ed. The exhibitions of 1862 and 1867
were held at Paris, when the third
Napoleon's empire was yet in the me-
ridian of its splendOr, and were, there
fore, immensely successful. In this
regard, the now firmly established re-
public has most successfully attempt
ed to Outrival the empire. Austria
also has made its great capital the
temporary meeting place of the wOrld's 8
workers. The Centennial Exposition
is too recent to require comment here.
At present, Australia is holding a
worlds fair at Sydney. These exhibi-
tions have many enduring effects. In
the first place, the cities chosen for
this purpose are much beautified.
France spent millions on new streets
and public buildings which have made
Paris more than ever the wonder and
envy of the world. Citizens of all ma
tions are brought together in social in
tercOurse, and the world is thus ena-
bled to promptly take advantage of
every invention as well as to reap the
benefit of every addition to the gem
eral culture of the time From pure
ly selfish standpoint, the American
people must always desire frequent
opportunities of displaying their mar
veIous ingenuity; it is quite safe to
say that, on every such occasion, they
Will astonish the world as thoroughly
as they did the Swiss watchmakers
who went to Philadelphia and discov-
cred that Genevese artisans were en-
gagged in a competition fully as absurd
as would be a race between lOcOmO-
tive engine and canal-boat.
1t is, therefore, gratifying to observe
that the movement in favor of an in
ternational exhibition at New York in
1888, is about to achieve tangible re-
suits. The necessary State and Fed
eral legislation has been obtained.
The act of Congress Incorporating the
International Commission provides,
among other things, for the appoint
ment OF two commissioners from each
State, and the capital stock is fixed at
$4,000, 600. New York, because of its
accessibility and cosmopolitan charac-
ter, is peculiarly adapted to an enter
prise Of this nature, and there is every
reason to expect perfect success. Lou
isiana should be thoroughly well repre-
sented. Kansas had the best exhibit
at the exhibition of 1876, and had
doubled her population and added
$50. .OOO, 900 to her working capital, and
undoubtedly a very considerable pOr-
ton of her trememdOus progress is at
tributable, directly or indirectly, to her
display at Philadelphia. If we wish
to attract immigration to this State we
must advertise our resources. The
New York exhibition Of 1883 will afford |
us, in perfection, the opportunity we
seek.-N. 0. Times.