22 INTBRNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 



wi'h an Act of Congress approved March 3d, 1871. By this actj,.the 

 ta k of preparing and &uperintendiug the exhibition was imposed opon 

 tlie United States Centennial Commission, consisting of two members 

 from each of the states and territories. The Commissioners have 

 twice met in general session, a permanent organization has been efS^Qt- 

 ed, ^nd the chief outlines of the plan for the exhibition have heen 

 •greed upon. 



This exhibition is to be international and universal — international, 

 inasmuch as all nations will be invited to participate in it; and univer- 

 sal, because it will include a representation of all natural and artificial 

 products, all arts, industries and manufactures, and all the varied r«- 

 BOlts of human skill, thought, and imagination. 



The outlines of a simple yet comprehensive classification have been 

 adopted. There will be ten departments, each subdivided in ten 

 groups, and these again into classes. The details of t::iis classification 

 are now being elaborated and will be published in due season, together 

 with such rules and regulations s s may be found necessary for the 

 proper conduct and management of the exhibition. 



It is intended that ample space shall be assigned to each state, terri- 

 tory, and foreign country, foi' a just and proper display of their prod- 

 ucts. It is believed that not less than fifty square acres of fioor space 

 under roof, will be required for this purpose. A site combining the 

 advantages of a sufficient extent of level ground, with picturesque and 

 cultivated surroundings, easy of access by rail, water, and by ordinary 

 roads, has been assigned for the buildings and grounds at Fairmount 

 Park, in the City of Philadelphia. The exhibition will open in April, 

 and close in October. 



Each State of the Union will be expected to send its peculiar prod- 

 ucts, illustrating its resources, both developed aud uudeveloped. A 

 complete exhibition of this kind by all the States, will afi*ord the means 

 of compaiing their industrial condition and capabilities. The prod- 

 ucts of mining and of agriculture will occupy a large portion of the 

 space allotttd to each state, aud will receive their just share of atten- 

 tion in this universal display. 



An undertaking so patriotic in its conception, so vast in its propor- 

 tions, and so useful i its results, commends itself to the hearty sym- 

 pathy and support of an intelligent eople. Patriotism, as well as an 

 appreciation of the industrial, educational, and moral influences of well 

 organized exhibitions, should impel all citizens to lend a helping hand. 

 It is the duty of the Commission to prepare the way and open the 

 doors, but the people, in their sovereign right aud strength, must make 

 the exhibition. By their aid, alone, can it be made a just and compre- 

 hensive display of the industrial, intellectual, and moral development 

 of the Nation during the first century of its existence. 



The Commission not only relies with confidence upon the aid of the 

 people in general, but it hopes to receive the co-operation of the many 

 state societies and organizations which for so many years have aided 

 in directing and realizing the popular demand for agricultural and in- 

 dustrial exhibitions. The desire to secure, at an early date, your efli 

 cient co-operation, has led lo this communication, which is made at 

 the request of the Executive Committee of the Commission. 



Permit me, in closirg, to suggest that the facts herein stated might, 

 with great advantage to the exhibition, be communicated as publicly as 

 possible to your members and exhibitors, and that, if agreeable, they 

 should be inco: porated in your printed reports. 4 committee of your 

 members might be appointed to consider and suggest such measures 

 as may appear most desirable to promote the success of the object for 

 which the Centennial Commission is appointed. A general plan for the 



