Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1876 — Centennial Correspondence. [ARTICLE]

Centennial Correspondence.

I. i. ~' 2. V v ß *txwl f itQoloirie.il c&t*dm>. —• The prairie-dog v inageJ ij r\s and* her C T ther kept up a continu d roaring. The monkey house contains sixty Tm/25*S besl'aniinalshow any of us had e ’ln we took seats on the platform at Mooiy and Sankey sgm*(»el theatre. We had a fine viewed an. apdipiuje. of ten thousand persons—nearly: all rfm. The women were invited to not come. Over six hundred arose foi prayers. On Monday we all visited the “Centennial.” This Exhibition originated in Congress and is a child of the Nation. Our delegation passed a resolution requesting Indiana Congressmen to nurture the child with an appropriation. This action pleased John L. Campbell, the Secretory of the Commission, and he said “I am the proudest living Hoosier.” Prof. Campbell is a gentiemen of fine culture and pletsant address. Ha treated us with great courtesy. In our visit we were also accompanied by Horace J. Smith and Franklin C. Johnson who explained matters to us. The wor k connected with the Grand Exhibition is divided into specialties and every portion has skilled managers. If Ctwgre-a appropriates $1,5000,000 the Exhibition can open on the 10th day of May, 1876, free of debt.— The admittance fee will be fifty cents. If the attendance should exceed 10,000,000 the exhibition will somewhat reimburse the stock-holders and be a financial success. There is a project on foot to sell coupon boarding tickets at all stations where trip tickets are issued by railroads, entitling the holders to two meals and lodging for $1.50. The project contemplates furnishing board and lodging in the cty for fifty thousand strangers. The railroads, I fe. r, will not treat visitors fairly, as the present indications are that there will not be a reduction of-over twenty-flvtfr* per--cent. from regular rates. This will defer many in the Western States from visiting the Exhibition. Half fare tickets ought to bo issued

by all the railroads extending to the Mi - sissippi valley and westward. I send you a pamphlet that will explain in detail all matters of dimension, construction and management. You can use the facts and figures as reliable. The Egyptians, Japanese, Swedes and other nations are on the ground erecting buildings. The Memorial and Horticultural Halls are permanent stone structures and will become an enduring feature of Fairmount Park. I scaled the ladders to the very tiptop of the main building and from thence took a bird's eye view of the city of brotherly love. No one climbed higher than the Jasperite. The buildings are beauties of architecture and aptly constructed for their intended purpose. When all is complete it Will take an average mind about thirty days to fully take in the novelties. AU the principal nations of the world will have a miniature identity in the Exhibition. Noone who can spare the time and money should fail to visit this epitome of the world’s ifiduStSry. ) 7%is is the only Centennial any of US will probably witness. It will be worth a journey Across the continent to see. The Mefiidriri department demands especial notice. Th® dome of the building is ornamented with a colossal statue of Columbus showing? tW work of his life and the now national amity. Each government will be represented by come great leading spirit of her history done in bronze or marble. The Catholic temperance society wiH have a magnificent fountain. The now posted rule —“No smoking allowed in these buildings”—l hope will be continued in force until November 10, 1876. Then I pray the people may, with one accord, ever practice the same oct of respect for their own good and tbe’rights' of* their fellows. The grounds will be accessible by street oars from every point in the city for none cents fare. I refer you to the book for particulars which are too tedious and numerous io here make nqte of. On yesterday we all visited “Old Independence Hall.” It bears the marks of rejuvenation and the sartie Mold bell don’t swing to and fro.” Thejiumber of chairs in which Washington sat is amazing. In fact, the centre of revolutionary legend is Washington. It is true that nearly all the fifty-six signers are honored with a portraiture, but George W. appears in all forms of

The shades of th 4 Centennial laborers in the vineyard of the Republic inspire us with the hope that the next Centennial may find us’a purer and better people. We want more mind and hand work, economy and good cheer, and less cynical croaking and extravagance in our present habits. On last evening we attended tSfr Arch Street Theatre, but the play had little interest. Afterwards, a seledt* few enquiring souls visited the hovels and dens of darkness which are not far from the richest palaces. In one garret room, up a narrow, winding stair, we found sixteen men all lying on the floor in filth and wretchedness. The proprietor of the room pays $2.00 per month rent and charges each occupant five oents fbr a night’s lodging. In answer to the question, “Are you very poor?” each one answered, “Not so poor but some are poorer.” One darkey answered; than Job’s turkey.” Rum and other intoxicants cause this degradation. In the central police room eighty Mrere sfibozing off the effects of fire-water. In one cellar called “Job’s Restaurant,” were twenty-one lying on the floor at ten cents each. We rose one degree in the social circle made by wealth and attended a Dutch , dance which was decidedly interesting. We got back to the hotel at 3 a, m. wiser and I trust more charitable ftnf the worthy poor. Rustics visiting a city often look only at the glare of fashionable splendor and rush so the city. They eften And' too late that the gorgeous pageant of city life is not known to one-third of her inhabitants. This mornihg we visited the mint and found a pleasant reception Of which ! will tell you more when I see yott. We for the village of New

York.

SIMON P. THOMPSON.