The note of preparation should be at once sounded all along the line and a determination be evinced to achieve success in a matter where so much honor is to be lost or won. The Exposition must be a full, fair, and systematic representation of American education. No possible credit can come to us by filling our space mechanically with the ten thousand articles that may be offered. Material could be had for the asking, I doubt not, sufficient in bulk to fill the whole Exposition-building. A buge mass of miscellaneous articles, with endless repetitions and duplicates, even though they could be so arranged as to look well to the inartistic or unprofessional eye, is not what is wanted. The whole display must be representative. It must be somewhat of an organism, with its several parts nicely adjusted, if not closely related, to one another. In the selection and arrangement of material, I take it, will be found the most difficult and delicate duty of the central commission; but, with a fair field in which to work and a reasonable amount of money with which to pay expenses, a presentation of the leading features of American education can be made that will be an honor to the country and a wonder to the older nations that may come across the water to compete with us.

At the close of his paper, Mr. Wickersham said: In connection with this paper, I beg leave to offer the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to act for this body, with the authorities of the Centennial, in perfecting a plan for the proper representation of the educational interests of the country at the approaching National Exposition at Philadelphia.

General EATON. May I ask whether the gentleman intends to have this committee take the place of the one appointed last year, or is it an executive committee to act immediately, and in harmony with the committee of last year?

Mr. WICKERSHAM. The committee of last year was composed of one member from each State, was it not?

General EATON. Yes.

Mr. WICKERSHAM. I think it is wiser to make this an executive committee. It is necessary that we should have some small body of efficient men to represent this larger body or organization-to represent the educational interests of the country-to act in connection with the Centennial. There is no one authorized to do business with the authorities of the Centennial. Any one that looks at this matter in a business-way (a Fourth-of-July oration on the Centennial is out of place and out of date now) will see that we have come to the time when we must meet this as business-men. In order to do business in a proper way, it is absolutely necessary that this body should appoint an executive committee to do the business for us with the authorities of the Centennial. As it is we cannot do anything. We cannot contract for space. The authorities have, in a general way, set apart already a certain amount of space for educational purposes. They have allowed that it would be necessary that a certain amount of space should be dedicated for educational purposes, but for how large a space, or where that space is to be, remains to be settled. We do not know whether the authorities of the Centennial will allow any one outside of the commission to conduct

this business. There will have to be a large amount of correspondence between the representatives of this body and the authorities of the Centennial if we are to make a creditable exhibition. It seems to be the universal agreement that we will have such an educational exhibition at the Centennial, and under the auspices of this department, if possible. It is yet to be seen what the authorities of the Centennial are absolutely willing to do in regard to this matter. I think that, with proper communication with the Centennial authorities through a committee of business-men, representing this body, we can have all our demands satisfactorily answered. Such a committee it is proposed shall be created; a working and an efficient committee, authorized to open communication in a business-like way. Then let the Centennial Commission take charge of the matter under the general rules of that organization. That must be the method if we would be successful in this enterprise. But we never can have any proper communications nor any satisfactory arrangements as matters are now. I am very clear about this one thing. We must have a small, efficient business-committee to take in charge the necessary steps in this matter. They will have to give the preliminary information at once and proceed to act upon it. There is no time to be lost. They are to see that space is allowed and filled, and where the money is to come from to carry on this work. They are to see if Congress is going to do anything for us. They are to see whether the Centennial authorities will appropriate any money for this purpose. Because, as I said before, it is a question of business, and the amount of money at the bottom; and I feel sure of this, that we have the means, both the men and the material, to make a creditable exhibition in this department.

The resolution was seconded.

General EATON. I think Mr. Wickersham has met the full necessity of the case by the introduction of this resolution. I have no doubt that the gentlemen here representing the different States have already had inquiries made of them about how this matter was to be promoted, which inquiries could not be answered. Certainly such inquiries have come to us. I have, in reply to some, stated what was done at the last meeting of the superintendents in regard to the matter. I have said that I would have to wait for additional action before I could say anything further. And it seems to me that this resolution meets the necessity that now exists in the premises. I would like very much, before the resolution is acted upon, to hear from some of these gentlemen on the subject. I have the pleasure of knowing that Baron von Schwarz-Senborn, his excellency the minister from Austria-Hungary, is present. He had charge of the Exposition at Vienna. I hope he will say a word or so on this occasion.

The request made of Baron von Schwarz-Senborn was greeted with applause.

REMARKS OF BARON VON SCHWARZ-SENBORN.

Baron von Schwarz-Senborn said:

Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN: I feel myself highly honored to-day at being present and assisting in this meeting of such enlightened men, and I remark this because nobody appreciates more than myself the importance of public instruction. I regard every teacher as a missionary, for whom I have the highest respect.

You remember, gentlemen, there was an old European general by the name of Montecnculi, who said that, if you are preparing for war and wish to become victors, you must have three necessary things: first, money; secondly, more money; thirdly, much more money. [Applause.] Now I think every teacher is a general; that is, be is a combatant of ignorance and of superficiality. I think, too, that the want of knowledge is the root of all evils that exist in the world, and that they can only be successfully combated by three things. Those three things are: first, education; secondly, more education; and thirdly, much more education. [Applause.]

I also think that the education of a people must begin in the family, and that then every man, every woman, every village, municipality, and corporation, and every Stategovernment, and the General Government itself, must aid and contribute to the accomplishment of this vitally important object.

I have been traveling for thirty years, and I have found that the impression gained in traveling is one of the means of obtaining an education. I think a universal exposition is also like a journey; but with this advantage, that you see in a few hours, and at a trifling expense, that which would ordinarily take years of traveling and a great outlay of money to learn.

You will allow me, gentlemen, to say that, for I am an old exposition-man. I was appointed by my government as commissioner to the exposition in Leipsic in 1850. I was commissioner to London in 1851; then, again, in London at the exposition of 1862. I was at Paris as commissioner, and class-president of the jury at the exposition of 1855, and assisted also at the Paris Exposition in 1867, but on that occasion I did not accept any appointment, as I wished to have the whole time for study and observation, which are incompatible with the duties of an official position. Lately, while I was deputy consul-general of Austria-Hungary in Paris, where I resided as such during seventeen years, I was, after the siege and the commune, called to Vienna by His Majesty, my Emperor, to plan and superintend the Universal Exposition of 1873 in that city. As director-general of that last Exposition, I was more strongly convinced than ever that universal expositions are the very best of schools.

I must say that these expositions are not established to satisfy the idle curiosity or to furnish food for the thoughtless amusement of the people. I also consider these expositions as institutions for the improvement of the public tastes and the enlightenment of the minds of the people, and especially so, as they thereby learn what most nearly concerns the great interests of a country. I think there should be written over the door of each exhibition-building the two golden words of the old Greek, Tvādi σεavτóv, which, you are aware, when translated, mean “know thyself." It is a fact that many persons are ignorant of what exists in their own country, and an exposition is the means of their obtaining that knowledge.

Since I have had the honor and pleasure of being in the United States-only six months-I must say that I have seen in that short time a great many things that are not known, either by the people abroad or by all the people of this country, which ought to be known, and with which they can be made acquainted in the shortest time by an exposition. I know that at these expositions one can learn more of a country in a few days than he could by wandering through it for a long time. I must confess to you, gentlemen, that the United States of America are not well known in Europe, for America has been very badly, or, I may say, not at all, represented in the five universal expositions held in Europe since 1851.

Had it been well represented on those occasions, the people of Europe would have

obtained a far better knowledge of your country than they now possess and the intellectual and material intercourse between the people of foreign countries and yourselves would have been greatly increased.

On the other hand, it is true that the number of Americans visiting Europe has been increasing every year during the last decade, but that number is extremely small when compared with your entire population of forty millions.

However, a great improvement in the respect I have mentioned has resulted from those expositions referred to; and I think we can look forward to still greater benefit from the International Exposition in this country which is now preparing in Philadelphia for 1876. It will be a great benefit in every respect. A large number of people will come here from Europe and other parts of the world. They will profit by the occasion to also see the whole country, as I have no doubt that the various railroad-companies of the United States will arrange for excursions to every part of your broad domain. All these strangers will be enlightened; they will be cured of prejudice and they will become your very good friends and admirers hereafter. Not only this, but very many people will come from all the different States of your own country to Philadelphia to visit the Centennial Exposition. And I am sure that they, too, will then for the first time fully realize what are the productions of the United States, and alsb what the educational system of their country amounts to.

Since I arrived in the United States I have taken occasion to visit some small but very notable expositions. I saw the exposition of the American Institute at New York, the industrial exposition at Newark, the exposition of the Franklin Institute at Philadelphia, and the industrial exhibition at Cincinnati, besides many agricultural fairs. It was my intention also to visit the local exhibitions at Chicago and Cleveland, but the shortness of my time prevented. I must confess that at all of these exhibitions I obtained a great deal of fresh information. I saw many things and learned many new facts that I rejoice to know.

I have thus given you, gentlemen, my idea of the value of expositions in general. Now, as far as my experience in Vienna as director-general is concerned, I comprehended that it would be useful and a great benefit for my country to learn of the different educational systems existing in the different parts of the world; and some of the gentlemen now present, who were at Vienna in 1873, will agree with me that the educational departments of all the nations represented at the Exposition at Vienna were the most interesting and most important part of the Exposition. It was appreciated by all enlightened classes of men, by all those who are the well-wishers of the civilization and welfare of the people. I think such a section of the Exposition at Philadelphia will also be the most valuable and in its consequences the most beneficial feature. I think that every American citizen who may contribute in any way to the Exposition in Philadelphia will thereby bestow a great benefit upon his fellowmen. And I may add here that I have lately been in Philadelphia, and during the two weeks that I remained there I made what observations I could, assisted by the courtesy and hospitality of all the intelligent men I had the pleasure of meeting there, and I must confirm the remark of the honorable gentleman, Mr. Wickersham, who read the paper, that the locality for the Exposition in Fairmount Park is charming, and really better than that of either of the universal expositions in London, Paris, or Vienna. I had opportunities, through the kindness of the different members of the Centennial Commission, when in Philadelphia, to see all the plans, drawings, and specifications, and I know what they are doing now towards the erection of buildings, and I am not at all flattering, but am simply speaking the truth, when I say that all that has been done and all that is now being done show great skill and ability. The most honorable and intelligent men who are the conductors of the great work are using all the experiences gained in the former universal exhibitions, especially that of Vienna, in 1873.

I am sure that the Exposition in Philadelphia will be a great success in every respect, as I wish from my heart and as I have seen from the beginning that it will be so. [Applause.] I am also sure that all intelligent citizens of America will appreciate

more and more the importance of this Exposition. They will see more clearly every day that it deserves all the support that is required. I am certain that every citizen who thinks of and looks into it and every Senator as well as every member of the House of Representatives will do what he can to make this Exposition a success, as it should and will be, because-if you will excuse me in saying it—I consider that the Exposition in Philadelphia is not a private enterprise; it is not at all an enterprise to make money; it is not an enterprise for serving local interests and for the benefit of the city of Philadelphia alone. I put a much higher estimate upon it, and regard it as an enterprise to be carried out on the most liberal scale.

I repeat, therefore, that whatever the honorable gentlemen here and elsewhere, as well as the Government, will do for the Exposition, it will redound to the benefit of the whole people of the United States of America. [Applause.]

Mr. HOPKINS, State-superintendent of Indiana. I simply rise, sir, to say that I am heartily in favor of the resolution, and I can assign one or two reasons why I think such action is necessary in order to make effectual our exhibition.

The State of Indiana has already commenced to make preparations to have our educational interests represented in the Exposition. That matter has been canvassed more or less for two years, and, in a recent report from the department of public instruction to the legislature, among the recommendations was one that an appropriation be made for the purpose of enabling the proper authorities in that State to have a representation in the Centennial Exposition of our educational interests. I have taken great interest in looking after this matter in our State. I have already done what I could, and hope to succeed still further in securing a sufficient appropriation from the legislature to enable the State-board of education to see that the educational interests of Indiana are thoroughly represented. Of course this is an independent movement to some extent. And if we can have five men, representative men of the country, to whom we can communicate our desires, it will cer tainly facilitate very materially the representation of these educational interests.

As far as Indiana is concerned, Indiana will be represented in that Centennial Exposition. And we shall be only too glad if this arrangement could be adopted, so that we can be represented as a whole, and not so much as independent States.

Mr. NORTHROP, of Connecticut. When I seconded the motion, I did not intend to offer any remarks. But there is one suggestion which fell from the lips of our friend Baron Senborn which is worthy of notice. He tells us, and tells us truly, that the Exposition at Vienna was a school for Austria and that this proposed Exposition will be a school for America. It was a school for Austria, especially in the direction in which Austria needed a school. Unification in Germany and in Italy was greatly facilitated by unity of race and language; but Austria, in attempting unification, on account of the many different nationalities, has had the toughest problem of any government in Europe. How to unify these heterogeneous and sometimes antagonistic elements has indeed been a problem. And I believe that that Exposition, showing