ANNUAL KEPORT—1862. 
105 
people and products, over those of 1851 and 1855, each of 
which—the first one in particular—was deemed, and was, a 
most marvellous success in its time. Nearly every kingdom, 
principality and power was represented by its products, as well 
as people, and the opportunity for studying the condition and 
progress of the nations of the world was therefore complete. 
To new countries, naturally well endowed, and desirous of 
increased population, the Exhibition afforded a rare opportu¬ 
nity for bringing their advantages permanently and effectually 
before the world; on which account, as well as for many other 
reasons, it is to be profoundly regretted that America was not 
more worthily represented. The United States, notwithstand¬ 
ing the war, was able to show, and should have shown, capaci¬ 
ties and powers such as are not dreamed of in the Old World, 
and which would have gone very far towards compelling a too 
reluctant respect, and securing at least that unqualified and 
absolute neutrality and non-intervention, if nothing more, of 
which we now seem likely to fail. 
The belief is prevalent throughout Europe, especially in 
England, that a thorough, practical and permanent suppression 
of the rebellion of the Southern States is altogether improba¬ 
ble, if not indeed impossible ; and inasmuch as these European 
nations fancy themselves selfishly more interested in the cotton 
than in the manufacturing States, and are, moreover, much 
more strongly in sympathy with the aristocratic sentiment 
which prevails throughout the former than with the democratic 
ideas which prevail in the North, it is hardly surprising that 
they should easily credit the reports of our enemies touching 
the inability of the government to overpower them and re¬ 
establish the union of all the States. If, therefore, instead of 
the 153 exhibits made by this country, of the 25,000 made 
by all, we had made a demonstration proportionate to our real 
ability—which was much less impaired by the war than for¬ 
eign nations supposed—the false notions entertained by them 
of our straitened and crippled condition would have been 
measurably corrected. 
As it was, enough was done by the few exhibitors of 
