The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-04
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY A.
TWELVE PAGES.
Indiana and the Worlds Fair.

The SENTINEL has been, from the incep-
ton of the worlds fair project, a jealous
friend of the enterprise. 1t was among
the first newspapers in the United States,
outside of Chicago, to advocate the selec-
ton of Chicago as the site for the fair, and
continued to do so until the end of the
contest, notwithstanding the fact that
party lines had been drawn TO a consider
able extent-the democrats generally
favoring New York and the republicans
Chicago. Since the designation of the
latter city by congress The SENTINEL has
been among the most active OF the West
ern newspapers in stimulating popular
interest in the exposition, and has done
everything in its power to contribute to
its success. 1t has favored liberal APP
preparation by the Indiana legislature for
the purpose Of making a creditable
state exhibit at the fair. Never
theless THE SENTINEL heartily and
unreservedly indorses the resolu-
tons adopted by tho Indiana house
of representatives Monday against any
appropriation for an Indiana exhibit at
the fair if the force bill shall become n
law. We believe that the house did the
right thing, at the right time, and in the
right way, aud that an overwhelming ma
jorty Of the people of Indiana will sus-
tain its action. We trust that the resolu-
tions will be passed by the senate, and
that similar action will be taken by every
democratic Legislature in the country,
North and South.
II the force bill becomes law il will
be a sheer waste OF money for Indiana to
make an exhibit at the fair. An apprO-
priation for that purpose would be un-
warranted unless it promised TO yield
substantial benefits TO the state. There
can be no doubt that the Columbian ex-
hibition will be failure if the force bill
il passed. No successful worlds fair can
DO held in this country while il is divided
by sectional strife; while fifteen great
commonwealths are torn by race conflicts
while the great industries OF vast sec
ton OF the republic are FRUSTRATED, and
while commercial relations between the
northern and the southern halves OF the
nation are disrupted. Under such con-
ditions, we say, no successful worlds
fair can be held In this country
With the Union thus divided into twain
the Chicago fair, indeed, will not attain
the dignity OF national exposition.
Nearly, il not quite, hall of the states will
be unrepresented. Very few people from
these states will attend. The exhibits and
the attendance from other parts of the
world will be correspondingly diminished.
The fair, in brief, will be a failure. 1t can
not be otherwise.
That the conditions described will fol-
low the passage OF the force bill is as GER
tain as that night will follow day. There
Is no reason 10 doubt that the measure is
intended by its advocates to produce just
such results. They are a combination of
knaves and fanatics-the former caring
naught what ills they bring upon the
country If they can perpetuate republican
ascendencv; the latter caring less IL they
can establish African supremacy in the
South.
The action of the Indiana house of rep
resentatives Is not intended as a menace or
a threat. II is simply an expression OF
the calm judgment of "A large majority of
that body that ii will not be worth while
for Indiana to make an exhibit at the fair
unless the conditions are such as to insure
It's success. We hope and believe that the
senate will concur in this action.