Year: 1877

The Paris International Exhibition.


The action of the State of Connecticut in


making an appropriation often thousand dol
tive evidence of the appreciation of New
England manufacturers of the value of such


exhibitions. But should be clearly under
stood by Connecticut and any other State
likely to follow in her footsteps that such APP
preparations are of no value unless the gov
ernment Of the United States formally accept
the invitation rendered by France and ap-
point commission to take charge of the in
terests of her exhibitors. The German
Reichstag declined to cooperate in the
French Exposition, and when very large
number Of German manufacturers proposed
to exhibit, either individually or collectively,
they were notified by the French commission
that no exhibitions would be permitted
except through the agency Of o commission
officially representing the government.
This is an important fact and should be
generally known, for we are advised that
several important manufactures are already
arranging for their exhibits in Paris. The





way, and that is by immediate action
on the part of our government either
accepting or declining the French in
vitation, SO that all parties interested may
understand their position. There can be no
question as to what course should be taken
for tho future interest of our manufactures
and commerce. Not day has passed since
the close of the Philadelphia Exhibition
without some evidence of its great value to
our general interests as a people. Large or
ders have been received from every foreign
nation represented, and it has been fairly
estimated that over one million Of dollars
has already been expended in articles ex-
ported to Europe specially on account of
their representation at the Exhibition. Now
we have the opportunity to take advantage
Of this success and prove to the Europeans
on their own ground the value Of our i'm
provements in inventions and manufactures.
It would also seem but courteous to France
to return the compliment paid by that gov
ernment in making so fine an exhibition in
Philadelphia. But there is no time to lose,
and if we would avoid the failure which has
to great extent accompanied all our efforts
abroad immediate action should be taken
by the appointment of some suitable
organization to at once make the pre-
liminary arrangements, made much more
feasible by the experience we have so
recently had, which enables us to adopt
what has proved of service and to avoid
the errors which have been committed The
Southern States will have an opportunity to
redeem their want of interest in the Exhibi-
ton of last year and present for the invest
ment of capital and labor the wonderful
resources Of the several States now made
available by peaceful government. AS has
already been stated in our columns France
has made large appropriations for her Expo
sition plans have been adopted, and
already thousands of workmen are clustered
on the Champ de Mars and the Trocadcro
preparing for the erection Of the immense
structures selected for the purpose. Great
Britain fully appreciates the importance of
the occasion, and the Times has sounded
warning to Sheffield, Birmingham and Man
chester to be prepared for still closer COM
petition with the United State. The Prince
Of Wales is president of the British commits
sion, and the services of that experienced
gentleman. p. Cunliffe Owen, Esq, have
been secured as general manager. We have
no doubt that President Hayes has already
given some thought to this important mat
ter, and trust that it will be within the
power of the authorities to act at once.