The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-28

pitality. In the name of California, we for
maly open the gates to-day.
Ladies and gentlemen this event will mark
an epoch not only in The development of our
State but, taking an extensive view. you will
see hat here on the shores OF the Pacific Ocean
we are recording to-day fact in the growth
and progress Of the world. Not alone in the
character OF its exhibits is exposition inter-
national. 1t Is International in a much broader
sense. 1t Is International historically. Look
back for moment with the eye of retrospect
ton and you will see that the march of civiliZa-
ton, starting in the far East, somewhere in
Asia, has moved steadily westward. Through
Asia, across Africa, where Egyptian monu-
ments still save from The absorbing sands OF
the desert the traces of our race, traversing the
editerranean into Greece and Italy, France,
Germany and England. the arts and sciences
have advanced till finally still pursuing their
westward course. hey crossed the Atlantic and
found congeuial soil on the eastern edge Of
The American continent
There ciyiZa ion fingered while the sayages
were committing depredaions in what are now
the streets ana boulevaras of Chicago. then an
uDbroken wilderness. and while still the west
ern half OF America was unexplored and un-
known.
In the year OF grace 1893 the world paid
homage to the arts and sciences under the
shadow OF Fort Dearborn and proclaimed the
Columbian Exposition the crown and culmiua-
tion of human progress.
But while the world was surprised that the
growth Of America made possible the holding
of such an exposition one thousand miles from
the seaboard, yet to the student OF history it
was no surprise. for we'll he knew the west
ward march OF civilization. But the end was
not yet. The orbit had not been trayersed
The cynical sydney Smith. not fifty years ago,
sDeeling at an American book. said what ap-
pears 10 be now, In the light of this occasion
as something prophetic. He said that prairies
gristmills and steamboats, would be the natural
objects OF Americans for centuries and centn-
rieS TO come; but, add he, when they reach
the Pacific Ocean, then epic poems, plays
pleasures Of memory and all the elegant gratif-
cations Of an ancient people who have tanned
the wild earth and set down to amuse them
selves will be theirs. Centuries have not pass ed
since these words were spoken. but we cele-
brate to-day this great fact-a history-mak king
fact in the annals OF the world-that the Amer-
can people have reached the Pacific Ocean, and
that civilization. having sprung up In the re-
mote East and pursued its destined course, has
reached the western edge Of the American con-
tinent in California.
Yet The mere occupation OF the country Dor
dering on the Pacific would not have been a
realization OF this prophecy nor justified this
conclusion, but we are justified by the fact that
this California community has given civilization
home. that 1t has nobly fostered educational
institutions, that astronomical knowledge has
been signay advanced that literature and
music are the daily qualifications of its people,
and that In word, all the arts OF peace have
taken root and now put forth. under these
auspices the budding promise of certain
smaturify.
The metropolis OF the Pacific holds its Inter
national Exposition OF the arts, industries and
sciences without apology, and California, as a
great American State. holds Up It's head proudly
and says for the American people: Yes, we
have reached the Pacific Ocean. Civilization
has completed Its orbit. but IL will henceforth
move upward instead of onward
The past Is yours, representatives of other
nations. and we gratefully accept 1t as our
heritage; but the future is our own Hopeful
as TO what man will still achieve In this land
OF civil freedom, this land favored in
an exceptional degree by nature we proclaim
to-day In our exposition that California bv his
torical deduction, seems destined In the hands of
providence to round the career of civilization
which, ultimately. in It's necessary and uDdeyi-
ating course, must find its preordained apothe
osis upon our Pacific shores
And as that civilization, OF which an inter-
national exposition Is he highest exponent. has
for 5000 years followed the pathway OF the snn
and has come from the distant East even unto
the re hottest West. il is singularly appropriate
that this enchanting spot where we now stand
sho Md have been called 1.-THE Sunset City.n
The Eastern nations SINK their glory ends:
An empire rises where the descends
Great is the future OF California! And great
are the responsibilities of her people,!
The Prayer.
President Phean then introduced Rev.
William Ford Nichols, Bishop of Califor-
MIA. The Bishop wore no vestments, and
followed no liturgy. He appeared as
simple citizen. Removing his hat he