New-York tribune., 1890-06-06
MR. DEPEU IT CHICAGO.

Mr.. Dcpew performed valuable service 70
the whole country by the speech on the Norio 5
Fair which he made last night to great audl-
ence in Chicago as the guest and orator OF
the Press Club of that city, and which we print
in full this morning. Leaving out OF con-
sideration the arguments against holding an
international Exposition a thousand miles from
the seaboard, the main obstacle in the way OF
that colossal undertaking is the present lack
of a wide and active interest i'll the matter
| If Mr. Depew's animated and persuasive ora
| tory has the effect of stimulating the pride,
ambition and enthusiasm of Chicago, and OF
arousing the country to a sense of the danger
which lies in a placid indifference, his talents
and his public spirit will have laid the people
| under a new and permanent obligation.
That was unquestionably Mr. Depews pur-
pose and hope. He sees clearly the imperative
need of immediate and united energy. Chicago
is not making the best use Of the year of grace
which its representatives obtained from Con-
gress 1t is already evident that when the
essential preliminary aid of legislation has been
obtained, little more than two and a half years
will remain in which TO create the Fair n
less the current reports which come from CHI
ClGO, anu WHICH lutItiOit biiASi '' "'''''''N
10 be not unfriendly, do injustice to the man
ayers and their felow-citizcnS the spirit which
prevails there is not a satisfactory assurance
of a triumph in 1898. This is said Wlthou,
any feeling of animosty. There l. not the
slightest trace of jealousy or bitterness IN New
York, or elsewhere 50 far a. We have been
able to ascertain. 1t is not hostility but in
difference which threatens the project. ana
which Mr. Depew is deeply solictoHS to re-
move He did not choose 70 rcproach his
hearers with a lack of that permanent and
| fruitful enthusiasm with which 10 doubt the
emotions evoked by him last night were III
vivid contrast, nor to dwell upon the general
apathy of the country but his main purpose
IS clearly revealed in his speech, and it Is
identical with that which IuE TRIBUNE haN
steadily kept in view since we seized the first
chance to congratulate Chicago upon her brill
liant and unexpected victory at Washington.
If the Exposition is 10 be a National credit
instead of National disgrace there is no time
TO be lost in trifng or forgetiulncsS.
Without diSparagemcnt of any other indi-
yidua, it must be Acknowledged that Mr..
Dcpew has been. from the outset, the most
Jealous friend and advocate which the proJec'
Of a Columbus Fair has had No other man
has been so deeply impressed with H. impoi-
tancc TO the people Of the United States, or,
indeed, has regarded it from precisely the
same point OF view In his argument III be
half of New IOrl, as the site before thc Con
grrs Siona Committee he declared that an In
tcrnational Exposition in the near future was
absolutely necessary TO efacc the dismal rccoi-
! bod n Paris
20 rcctify the false impression which was there
created and thence difused over the world
and 10 demonstrate our resources, our clvIllza-
ton and our rank among the nations OF the
earth. Others have not considered our default
last wear 50 serious, and have assumed that the
greatness which was certainly not revealed al
Paris j, now taken for granted everywhere; :;
bat Mr. DcDcw took his observations on the
spot. and his conclusion ought not to be ig-
nolcd.
II is not necessary, however, to 90 quite 50
far as he goes in order TO comprehend these
two facts-that an adequate disclosure OF our
place and progress in the arts. industries and
institutions Of civilization would be a splendid
and invaluable triumph, and That Il second
instrumentation and on our own soil, would
be lamcntablc misfortune Iris in this spirit
and with these truths in mind that we have
dcporcd the lack OF genuine interest i'll the
great work which Chicl"O has undertaken III
he name OF thc country. II Is Il work which
every citizen is under obligation u share and
promote, and in which the aid and encourage
mcnt Of THE TRIBUNE. sometimes taking the
form of stimulating criticism, shall not be
lacking. |