National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-05-11
A Permanent international Eshibi-

Tho managers of tho New Orleans ox-
hibition are now seriously resolved to
continue IL during another season with a
midsummer vacation. Tho extra ex- !
pense Of the vacation is estimated at !
about S270,000. Parties have pledged the !
amount required II the government OK.
hibits. which constitute the backbone Of
the concern, can be retained. Large ad.
ditions to the material are pledged, and
the management boliovo that with their
experience much greater success can be
achieved in second campaign.
The tendency to lengthen the terms OF
great national oKhibitionsis is very marked.
The public are more and moro coming to
see their value, and to supply the
means for their support We hope this
effort of our New orleans friends to coz
tinue their noble enterprise may be sue
cessful.
| The time has come when this great ma.
tion should organize a permanent exhibit
tion Of its own aud tho worlds produc.
tions. There is but one appropriate place
for it, and that is at the national capital.
| Here all elements of success combine.
| Equidistant from north and south, aecessi.
bic from the land side by great railways
amply equipped for the largest volume Of
travel, open to tho ocean by tho noble
highway Of the Potomac, and within the
amplost and cheapest accommodations for
half a million people. Washington stands
without rival for such a purpose.
The appropriateness Of u national cx-
hibit at tho capital of the nation is too
obvious to be discussed. 1t goes without
saying that it should be there unless
prevented by insuperable or very serious
difficulties. But so far from this, no city
in America unites such advantages. A
vast amount of illustrative material is
already horo in the great collections of
the national museum, the patent Office,
agricultural department army medical
museum, coast survey and all tho gov
ernment collections. Hero, too. are the
foreign legations, whose influence would
be most effectively used at home for an
exhibition at their own official home
Contributions from abroad would be far
richer when they could be sent directly
to this city and be subject to the care and
supervision of the United States govern
ment and Of the legations of the various
nations who contribute. A sense Of safety
and responsibility would peryade the
enterprise. 1t is we'll known that parties
abroad hesitate to send valuables to New
Orleans because they have no legal repre-
sentatives there.
The nations of Europe wonder why we
neglect our own capital city, fast
becoming the most beautiful in the
, world. Their capitals are the homes Of
= all the great international exhibitions
! The city of Washington itself would bo a
most attractive feature Of any such ex
hibition. The city, with its hundred
, parks carpeted with freshest green, iti
t million trees shading the grand avenues
:, with their marvellous wealth of foliage
its imposing public buildings, its lovely
private homes, its enoircling hills and thu
, majestic river which flows by it down t.
0 the sea-all this, as seen from the dom,
of the capitol, is worth journey acrot
: the continent to enjoy. Whatever mine
i or body needs for rest, renewal, or health
r full and innocent recreation is to be founc
& here. A continual festival awaits tn
visitor who can appreciate the best con
ditiops of physical, social, and intel
= lectual life. Thousands live here, blint
to their great privileges, but none tn
less is it true that Washington can &C
y commodate more people comfortably aut
If for less money than any other city il
y. America.
: This is the place to inaugurste tn
n new policy of making international OF
a hibitions of arts apd industries perma
1t nent. 1t is possible to do this, indee
comparatively easy, if started unde
proper auspices. All interests, nations
- and local, unite to favor 1t, and it woul
n. give TO all an inspiring upward impuls
ID so needed at this moment everywher,
y viii our solid men of all profession
& heed these suggestions and improve th
~ ausnicioua momant?