The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-01

There il somethinE indubitably pa
thetic in the present spectacle Of tue
imposing structures whish did such
noble service at the Worlds fair being
sold uuder the auetioneer's hammer to
the chance bidder, Yet the incident 10
characteristic of our American lie,
which rushes ever onward from nov-
city to novelty so rapidly as almost to
outrun memory. Already we are be-
ginning TO forget the consummats
spleudors and infinite variety OF last
years unparalleled exposition. Where,
six months ago, the word Chicago was
on sysrybody's lips and thu wonders Of
the great white city formed the theme
OF talk and reverls in ten million
Yankee homes, there is now scarcely
even casual references to these ou,llvsd
curiosities; and even the marvellous
architecture " that incompatible ex
hiuit is today disappearing unnoticoi
before the combined assault. OF inc,u-
diaries and 4 als7s in ancient junk
In what other nation on the face Of
the globo would o. memorable sym
postum OK all mat Is great ia ths ma
teriul achievements Of the century be
collected together with such boundleE
enterprise aud Infinite pains only to be
again dispersed as soon as n few short
weeks OF curious exhibition had run
their c0nrse aud exhausted the tinan.
cial influx at the psristylesy Truly,
this Worlds fair was In Its manage
ment and purposes an American fair,
distinct and separate from anything
which could possibly occur under any
other conceivable auspices Even the
heroic attempt OF few advanced Chi
eagoans to Insure the perpetuation OF
the more notable exhibits. through the
agency Of national museum to be
constructed on the white Citys ruins.
has failed missrsblyi 0ud Of those
priceless treasures OF art and handi
craft which within the year were
brought together from every point In
the compass aud displayed before the
hasty visitor to Jackson park. only
such few have been secured for perma-
uent study as will in few months
adorn one Of the museums In Puilaiel-
phia or possibly form part Of ths equip
msut Of the new-tOr Chicago uniV-r-
sity. These small fractional gems have
been snstched, one may say. "A minor
brands from the burning; but tho great
mass Of incsiimsble valuable', the very
cream Of all the best genius which civ
ilizstiou had anywhere evolved, as typi.
fed In representative achievements,
has been scattered again TO the four
winds OF heaven, as quickly rs 1t was
collected aud with nothing save fit.
ting inpr ssion TO fix II in the memory.
All this is, In ons sense, compliment.
airy to our people; for 1t shows tnat
they are not vain in their achievements
nor niggardly in the enterprise BY
which ,uch great foa,s Of exhibition
are rendered possible. Yet it may
we'll be questioned whether lees OF .his
easy indifference to great passing
opportunities, albeit opportunities Of
our own creation. would not leave US
not only better in our own endowment,
but better also in the estimation Of our
international neighborL Surely peo-
pie which could call to life that mar
vslOuS expanse Of beauty and variety
which last summer shimmsrsd Ia peer
leis splyndor along tho southern Bhore
OF Lake Michigan need not hesitate to
claim some portion OF this transient
work as permanent token and sOuv-
enir, u heritage to be bequeathOd from
the present to the future in commem-
Grafton OF the first true worlds parlia.
ment Of civilizations causes and vt-
fects.