Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1892-10-27
The Columbian Exh 'bition,

This "new style" anniversary OF
the discovery of America comes
along tardily. The sentiment as :
sociated with popular coInmemo>
ration is no controlled by matha=
matical calculations concerning
the accuracy of the calander. We
have all learned that Columbus
first perceived land in the West on
the morning of October 12, 1892,
and it was refinement of g lantry
to ask us to deter our recognition
of the anniversary till October 81,
merely because it was afterwards
learned that the fifteenth century
almanacs were nine days out of the
way.
There is only one advantage in
the selection of this day instead OF
the nominal anniversary for the
ceremonies at Chicago. The ac-
tual commemoration has already
been held and to-day's demonstra-
ton serves to consecrate attention
not so much on the historical
event as on the monumental ers
terprise that is to mark the COM
pletion ofthe four maryelous centu-
ries since elapsed. We
have all been hearing a great
deal about Columbus; our
thoughts to-day turn rather to
the stupendons civilization that
has arisen in the New World to
which he led the way.
Each of the great iDternationa al
exhibitions of the past distinctly
marked an epoch in the deyelop-
ment Of the world at large, as we'll
as OF the country in which it was
held. The impetus given to the
commercial and industrial progress
Of England by the first World s
Fair in 1851 was felt in some des
gree by every nation, and France
and, subsequently Austria, profted
greatly by the example. Our own
Centennial Exhibition in 1876 was
even more emphatically epoch
making. 1t marked the culmipa-
tion Of a century Of growth under
TRANCE and difficu t co; d tions ard
a new starting point OF an organ
;zed national life, whose develops
ment received from it fresh and
stimulating influence.
By whatever mistakes of policy
our progress has been misdirected
and whatever rerils they may have
invited, the vast resources of the
country have proved too great for
mans ignorance to repress. Nor
has nature alone been fruitful. In
at least the external marks of civil
ization, in all that makes for the
comfort and convenience of life, the
cultivation of the mind and the
elevation of taste, our advance since
1875, though still very far from
universal, has within its range,
been little short of marvellous. In
it's artistic aspect, as manifested
especially in the application 0 art
to industry and to beautifying the
environments of daily life, the
United States of to- day are almost
a New World indeed when cone
pared with twenty years ago, and
this is one Of the things that the
Chicago Exhibition will mark in a
way that will astonish even our
selves,
The advance is scientific and
mechanical invention has been
scarcely less remarkable The whole
construction of the buildings at
Chicago, as we'll as their ornamen~
alton, their illumination, the means
of trancit through the grounds, and
numerous other features, will pres
sent to the eye what practically did
not exist SO lately as 1876. Thus
the work of preparation in itself,a as
token of past achievement and
present possibilities, will have the
highest Importance, while the vast
collection yet to be gathered there,
of the treasures Of nature and OF
art, of science, industry and inven-
ton, should as far excel any pre-
vious display as the resources OF
1892 excel those of the times past,
|-PhiladelphiG Times,