The Washington critic., 1886-07-16
THE PERMANENT EXPOSITION.

What an impressive and instructive
the National Capital, year in and year
out, of the products and resources and
industrial progress of each of the sew
eral States and Territories of the
Union; and not only of the States and
Territories, but of the other Govern
ments of the Three Americas, forming
In the aggregate a vast panoramic dis
play of the art, science and agriculture,
the native wealth and skilled indus
tries, the varied chronological phases
and the civilized development of the
Western Hemisphere.
To, establish such an exhibition Is
the ultimate object of the movement
now in process of organization for
Permanent Exposition at Washington,
Of which n proper celebration of the
Centennial of the Constitution in 1880
shall be the initial ceremony, and the
commemoration of the four hundredth
anniversary of the Discovery of
America by Columbus in 1892, the
grand Inauguration.
The magnitude Of the results thus
sought to be reached surpasses all
previous conceptions of similar char
acter, yet the practicability of the
scheme is easily comprehensive, and
its expense within the bounds of simple
business computation, 1t being under
stood that the general Government will
grant the use of the necessary grounds
and contribute of Its own valuable col
lections to the enrichment Of the great
international exhibit.
The States and Territories co.opera-
ting in the project, either singly or in
groups, would merely be called upon
to erect such buildings, for their own
occupation, as immediate needs might
require. The cost to each, In view of
the accruing advantages. would be
scarcely more than that of an ordinary
State fair. The cost Of maintaining
their several displays, with resident
commissioners, would be almost nom.
inal. States Of great wealth and adj
vancement might desire to be repre-.
sented by structures of corresponding
architectural pretension. Others would
be governed by closer economy
adapted to their smaller means or re-
sources. Foreign governments par.
ticipating in the exposition would OF
course have their separate departments
and the necessary space allotted ia
them. The Government at Washington,
having a general supervisory direction
of the whole. would add from time to
time such aids and accessories as the
growth of the country and the devel.
opment of the enterprise might suy.
gest.
So simple in its details, so capable
of realization without any extrayagant
expenditure, yet of such infinite posi-
bilities, the project assumes proper
tions that are fairly overpowerlng il
their immensity. Nothing in ancient
or contemporary history approaches il
in grandeur-this splendid Bazaar of
the Continent upon the banks of the
Potomac--a constant advertisement OF
the wonderful resources of the Ameri
can nations that will permeate the
commerce of the world with new and
vigorous inspiration, and constant
educator of the people in all that per-
tains to their higher civilization.
The undertaking should not be per
mitted to lag. Already are many Gov
ernors of States, commercial exchange;
and representative bodies signifying
their cordial assent to It's plan and pur
poses. Let Congress generously sup
plement tho growing public sentiment
of the country In this direction, and
many If not all of the projectors of the
Permanent Exhibition will live to wit
ness the magnifcence of its success.
T,,r- ootao,,oo1 Dany anao;,lo,;,,cr l,ol