Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-18

feel as we look over this mngu fcent exhi-
bition, located by the side OF this metropo-
lis with It's inland sea, with its splendid ar
raw Of buildings, wonderful not only for
their vastness, but for their architectural
Il audeur aud admirably adapted arrange
ments for the uses to which they are to be
put.
Such wealth OF beauty and art, such evil
depces of mans production and power, has
never before been gathered in any country.
Our 10Th century civilization has here
erected her throne and, robing herself in
the costliest productions of every land, will
here wave her sceptre In the presence of
those nations gathered in industrial brother
hood. Here will DO the birth place of 10,
600 superb conceptions which will enrich
tho annals of the coming years with new
and transcondant feats OF skill. Frcm here
will go forth n power that will bring the
| u atons OF the globe into greater unity, and
| which viii hasten the dawning OF that day
! when armies and navics shall be herbngers
Of peace and the sword shall be beaten into
| the plouGlIshare aud when the nations shall
have learned that their interests and well
fare are best subservei by the arts of peace.
To this exposition the governments and
people of the world have been invited aud
are here represented in sublime contrast
and continuation OF the spectacular cere-
| monies that have recently taken place in
| the eastern waters of our coast, and here
are seen their grand and imposing display
of industry and skill, in nrt, science, ngri
culture manufacture, mining and com
! merce including all the various occupa-
! tons, business and industries of the human
re-5e, placed side by side, in friendly rival
ry with our own products, and we shall
! thus be enabled TO compare the progress
made in our own country with that of
others in all that affects and promotes the
| welfare of man.
Out of this comparison the beholder viii
see that tho expression, wv estward the star
oil the empire takes its way, . which, a cen
fury ago, was regarded as rhapsody OF the
loet, was, alter all, the prophetic judgment
of the philosopher.
To many OF these nations who are our
guests at this great exposition, we are much
indebted for our present condition and
! progress, for, while our national life is
measured by only little more than a CEN
fury OF existence, yet the first causes of it
lie much farther back along the stream OF
time. Our nation is the outcome of many
a struggle for freedom in far off lands. In
| the Netherlands, in Germany, in France,
in England were those who suf-
cred and died for us. Indeed the
very discovery of this continent itself
| synchronizos with struggles and invsn-
tions and trumphs without which the civil
| lizaton of this western hemisphere would
not have been possible. When the bold
navigator, Columbus, stepped from the
Santa Maria, to plant the standard of
Spain on this contn mt, he was but the
| forerunner OF those new forces OF civiliza-
tion that were the outcome of the struggles
in ths old world and when, years after,
amid the SHOWS of Plymouth, another class
of men landed from the MayHower, they
brought from the struggles OF the older
tions the clements that made possible our
national commonwealth.
So | say we indulge, today a justiable
pride as. amid these splendid triumphs OF
our national life, placed side by side with
those of other nations, we congratulate each
other upon our nations birth, growth, vigor
aud hope, upon its tolls we'll endured, its
battles SO heroically fought, and its victo-
ries go wisely improved; upon its developed
wealth it's progressive intelligence, its aug
Inented morality, and its flag unrent and
floating over united people.
Our republic 10 great territorialy beyond
the conquered nations of the man of Mace
don, who wept for other worlds to conquer,
greater than was ever Swallowed By the out
stretched wings of the Roman eagle, great
in the wonderful growth and development
of our resources, great in the rapid increase
and variety OF population. but greatest in
the written constitutions which guard the
rights OF the humblest citizen to lifo liberty
end the pursuit of happiness. But grand
az has been our past and inspiring as the
exhibits here reveal our present to be, our
golden age is yet before us. Our popula-
tion is but a fraction Of what it will
be, our productions are meagrs COM
pared 10 what they are yet to
become, the resources OF our hills
and valleys are but handful in compari-
son with what the future is to reveal, our
knowledge in art, science, agriculture, con-
merce and manufacture is but as the primer
lesson compared with our future mastery,
our enlightenment is only as the twilight com
pared to the full orbed light OF tho comm q
days We are destined to a deeper life in
thought, q purer life in morals, a camer
life in effort. a rounder life in culture, aud
a dviner life in charity, for, as the poet
puts it,
DO you not see, upon tho mountain tops,
Beacon to beacon answering? VINO can tell
But all the harsh and dissonant sounds, which
long
Have been-are still disquleting the earth,
Are but the timing of the various parts
For the grand harmony, prclusive al
Oi that vast chorus which shall usher in
The hnsteuing triumph OF our nations larger
life