Year: 1874

AhO SAoi oioOtoindiN SuOOCSo VI iHuus-
trial exhibitions at the West in the last
few years has educated the people to a
more active and intelligent interest in
the centennial exhi bition than has yet
been awakened in New England. There
are many reasons why we should have
taken the lead in work of this kind
a work which must engage our best efforts
before the exhibition takes place,-but
the fact remains that profound and
prevailing apathy has discouraged. all
attempts to procure money or sympathy
here. Within few weeks there has
been some change in the popular feeling,
owing in great part to the very fair pres
entation of the case by the Philadelphia
delegation, who recently visited Boston
for this purpose.


Whatever the causes of past distrust
may have been, the principal excuse for
it is being fast removed by the magnif-
cent progress the centennial board is
making. without our aid, in every de-
partment of their stupendous work.
Half of the many millions necessary for
all the expenses of providing for the ex-
hibiton and ceremonies has been SUBJ
scribed, as we have already stated. The
grounds are graded and drained; the
buildings, covering over forty acres, are
constructed in a manner which for solid
ity, faithful and honest work, rapidity of
execution, economy and systematic ener-
gy, has not been surpassed in any public
building in this country. The site select
ed for them, in the midst of the beauti-
ful Prospect Park, has every possible
advantage, and is filled and surrounded
with almost every natural attraction.
The preparatory work has been done
under the direction of the executive
committee, of which Governor. Straw of
New Hampshire and Mr.. Corliss of
Rhode Island are members. 1t is conf
IDENTIFY believed that neither in London.
Paris nor in Vienna was the progress so
great nor the prospects 50 fair eighteen
months before the day fixed for the open
ing of the exhibition in either of those
capitals.


Throughout the West, where, as we
have said, recent exhibitions have met
with wonderful success, it is on all sides
agreed to hold no local exhibitions in
1876, and the promise ha. been given by
the leading citizens that each State will
do its best to display its resources, skill
and capacity at Philadelphia. That the
more favorably situated States of the
East will do the same when the time
comes, and will even make up for the
deficiency of States which can hardly be
counted on to appear at all, there cannot
be any reasonable doubt. What is most
desirable now is that Massachusetts, and
her sister States should enter into the
spirit of the enterprise and help, as they
can without hardship, to make it credit


able in the eyes of the world. The task


the citizens of Philadelphia have taken


upon their hands is one not to be envied


and the responsibility and care attending


it must increase till it is completed


That, after the excitement attending thu
first plunge was over, they consented
with reluctance to go on with it, ant
! bear the immense burden for two or thre,


years, uncertain whether they would b.
, left alone to bear it or not is very vel
known. 1t is time now that this doub
should be settled. And we earnestly
hope it will be settled as Massachusett
would have wished to have it. if Bostol
| had been selected instead of Philadelphi
, for the grand commemoration.-Bosto1
! advertiser.