New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-28
SH1LL NE MR. / W0RLDS FtJp,

There Is talk OF reyivng the Worlds Fair
project. The community made up its mind
some time ago that the scheme was a failure
and seemed thoroughly resigned to the col
lapse. Even Bostons ambitions attempt TO
take mp and carry through what the larger
city had abandoned did not start a single
throb of jealous feeling here. 1t must be adj
mitted that the metropolis was never ex-
tremcly enthusiastic about the undertaking.
The intense local pride of Philadelphia, Chi
cago, Boston aud other lesser towns exists
here III only moderate degree. Newton
ers do not excite themselves over plans
to eXalt their city and To attract the
stranger within its gates They have
n comfortable conviction that as II community
they are expanding and ilourishing and heaping
up riches at satisfactory rate of speed with
out the necessity of sounding the trumpet and
calling all the world to see what they are do
ing. This sentiment may not be altogether
praiSeworthy. Doubtless if there had been the
same eager pride in the city az exists i'm Bati-
more, the same common anxiety To labor in
every way to advance her interests, New York
would nave been Il greater centre of commerce.
trade and manufacturing than she il to-day
and the scap0rts of Maryland, PENNSYLVANIA
and Massachusetts would have had IA smaller
share of the grain trade and the general ex-
porting and importing business of the country
than they have now. But the natural adj
| vantages OF Manhattan Island are so precminent
and this city has attained so long n lead i'm tho
race for commercial supremacy that il will take
a great deal Of supinencss and Indifference ON
the part of her people to stop or even to
slacken her progress.
Certainly New York was never all agoe over
the proposed Worlds Fair rs was PHILADELPHIA
over the Centennial Exhibition. Although the
press heartily encouraged the undertaking. al
| though the depression which followed the
panic OF 1873 had given place to n rnagnif-
cent prosperity, although III manufactures and
in every sort of productive activity the country
had taken big strides forward since 1876 and
had much to show the world and although MT
the outset a large number of the best known
and most substantial citizens favored the plan
there was no general and hearty re-
Spouse from all classes such as would
have sent the enterprise on its way 70
success with resistless impulse. Pertains fine
masses thought the interval between 1870
and 1883 too short Perhaps in the revival
OF Industries, i'll the development of resources
III the taking mp Of new enterprises of all
| KINDS, they were too busy, and too proftably
| bnsy, to interest themselves profoundly in the
PROJECT. Whatever may have been tie cause
| III Is certain that mt no time was so much zeal
| apparent IN regard to the proposed Fair among
! the people whom first of all il was intended
| to benefit as among those of other cities and
Ntites. Inc suggestion of another great show
| Tor the nations seemed to stir and stimulote
Illinois, and even California, almost as much
| as the residents this Island. into whose
pockets the most generous share of tho
resulting gains might be expected to
come. Possibly the rather langrlid onpro-
| val OF New Workers might have been warmed
into enthusiasm, and the city have rono oor-
nestly to work for brilliant success. if the
Far had been kept in the right hands and in
those alone, and the seekers of notoretv and
OF personal profit had been shut ont. Rat
some men who hurt everything they touch
succeeded IN fastening themselves upon it,.
Observation-Disclosures arose, and not few of the
most influential supporters drew back. There
was plenty OF talking, but not nearly so much
work as was needed. III words could make n
Worlds Fair flourish we should now have in
the full tide of triumph the finest affair of the
kind ever known. The men who did the TALK
ing were always about to accomplish soma
thing in a few days. But the DAYS came and
went, and nothing was done except To select a
site which satisfied few, and to get conditional
subscriptions the total of which never
became big enough to found anvtbinp
upon. The railway companies seemed onlv
half-hearted. This was not altogether aston.
ishing, except in the case of the New-Yorlx
Central. AS the site selected was in An ont
Of-the-way, marshy, low. hot valley. almost
the only recommendation of which was that II
could be reached-after a good deal of time
and effort-by the Central, there was a sus.
picion abroad that the Central would run the
show" itself. and invite the nations to come
and admire its own particular and private