The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-07
Movement in Chicago.

We are glad that the people OF Chicago
are beginning to exert themselves with some
seriousness In the way Of preparing for the
Worlds Fair. 1t is a job Of oppressive pro-
portions that they have taken on their
shoulders; and for their own sake and the sake
ofthe country's reputation. we wish them the
most complete and comprehensive success
In their efforts to meet the responsibilities
they have assumed.
One grave difficulty stands In their path
which we fear they have not sufficiently
considered. The Worlds Fair In Chicago
has been converted into an enterprise es-
sentially political and partisan, and there
| fore there Is danger that it may become mar
row and petty. The Republican politicians In
Congress and out have changed the original
broad and continental conception OF the Fair,
as 1t originated In New York. into parti-
san Republican scheme; and though from
generous patriotic motives the Democrats in
Illinois and elsewhere will undoubtedly do
their level best to see Chicago we'll through
with the Fair their utmost zeal cannot
avail to ob!terate entirely the influence OF
the important change we have mentioned
The natural and proper place for Worlds
Fair In 1892 is the city OF New York It is
the commercial, political. and intellectual
metropolis Of the Union, known to all the
world, and familiar by name and renown to
the inhabitants, the artists, the artisans the
manufacturers, and the merchants OF every
land. A Worlds Fair in New York means
that 1t Is to be held In the greatest town,
the one representative city OF America.
Here such an enterprise would run itself
almost because OF the spontaneous aid it
would receive from every quarter OF the
earth. In Chicago 1t Is not so, and cannot
be. Chicago Is an inland settlement, known
chiefly for the wonderful rapidity with which
1t has been built up. the big extent OF sur
face 1t has been spread over, and the vast,
unassimilated population it |
has collected. A thousand foreigners would |
have como to New York for every five |
that will go to Chicago. But the Re- |
publican politicians and plotters would |
not allow New York to have the Fair be-
cause 1t Ia a Democratic city; and without
regard to any other consideration, they gave
it to Chicago because it is a Republican city.
Thus, at the very outset they stamped the
Exhibition with mean partisan charac-
Ter, in addition to the provincial character
necessarily impressed upon 1t by its re-
hOIOhSoS ALUM Iuc LucLTOpOlS, anu DIV |
he provincial narrowness which natu-
ally belongs to every country town, no
natter how much 1t may be swelled
tut and extended, or how many noble,
nagnanimous, refined, and inspiring souls
may happen to contain. or such souls
)hIcago has undoubtedly splendid proper
Ion; but after ALL it is just a big country
own; and when you come to add to this
ustic provincial quality the strictly political |
artisan quality which the Republicans have
orced upon the Exhibition we can we'll I'M
erstand that the burdens under which Chi
ago now has to labor struggle, and staGger
re increased In a manner which ought to 1
II the whole country with anxiety. or
curse this anxiety Is not SO much on ac-
cunt OF the sensitive local pride of the Chi l
ago people, and the danger OF their falling I
18th their partisan Republican Fair as on l
ccount OF the reputation OF the Union at I
lrge and on account Of the narrowness of
allure and the petty partisan spirit which 6
10 Republican politicians have stamped g
pom the whole undertaking. I
Under these circumstances we appeal once '
lore to the citizens Of this metropolis and q
, the citizens Of all the cities In t
|
clip OF Chicago. Though Congress, for c
nall partisan reasons. has denied to New 8
ork the possession OF the Fair; though It t
as insisted upon stamping upon 1t a b
richly Republican party stamp, let not II
10 Democrats OF the land or OF any part s
1t be backward in giving the &
most assistance In their power T.
secure success for the enterprise
Chicago alone were concerned. the people Il
rival towns like st. Louis, Louisville, aud p
ncinnatl might be willing to let her worry II
It OF the complication as best she could: e
It for the sake Of the nations good name, p
us all put out OF mind the pettiness OF cl
ose envenomed Republican partisans, and r.
lip out Chicago. and help out the Fair. so h
at 1t may be worthy OF the occasion and 81
1rthy OF the republic.