The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-09
california's semi-centen uial.

historical review. The States of the
Middle West have interstate asso-
Citations OF pioneers. Those who
have served in the legislative Office
in the formative period have pioneer
law. makers associations. On all OF
these occasions good citizenship aud
civic pride and spirit are encouraged
and right public opinion is pro.
pagated. Patriotism is refreshed by
the various army associations, form.
ed OF those who were fellows in the
corps and divisions that bore high
part in gallant actions at arms in
the Civil War. In these all the
courage and sacrifice shown on both
sides in that struggle are coming to
be credited to the general American
character for valor and willingness
to fight that an idea may be con-
creted into Government polity.
These examples teach and exhort
California. They move us to unity
OF mind and action and remind us
that personal gain is not always to
be sought by isolated and selfish
personal action. There is gain for
everyone in a right public spirit
which all must promote.
The proper and comprehensive
celebration OF our semi. ntennial
will be new point Of departure for
this State and her neighboring
sisters.
The time in which it is to be &C.
complished is not as important as
its accomplishment. II inaugurated
in 1900 and completed in the en-
suing year it will fulfill historical
accuracy and emphasize the past
and future.
So far it has been discussed in
spirit in which petty jealousy and
rivalry have no part. We are sure
thati no one wishes to monopolize
the credit of suggestion. Such
matters are we'll left to the facts.
The sole credit, to be hereafter
entered, is to be measured to those
who did the most to plan, to pro-
mote and to make successful move
ment involving the good Of all.
No fact is more imposing than the
growth of this form in which
modern civilization has chosen to
express itself. The first worlds fair
at London was worlds surprise,
though in fact it but little exceeded,
in variety of features and in interest,
our Midwinter Fair in San Fran
cisco. It's suggestion, however, was
permanent. Out of its profits the
South Kensington Museum was es-
tablished, and in that marvellous and
forever growing collection OF every
object Of human interest in science,
art and nature the world enjoys the
pleasure and benefit, which are a
constant radiance from the first
effort of civilization to mass in com.
petitive exhibit what man has
wrought.
In a positively utilitarian age no
one has questioned the utility of
these great expositions. They have
in one place opened markets and at
a distance have fertilized produc-
ton TO supply them, and the arts Of
preparation and transportation have
been spurred and the genius of man
has been awakened.
People and nations ripen into the
best form of effort by these exhibit
tions. The conservation and econo-
my OF force is taught. Those econo-
mics OF life and effort which mean
the wider and more constant COM
fort OF existence are made matters
OF common knowledge and add to
common profit. Every toiling hand
increases its capital of skill, every
hungry mouth adds to its ration,
health and shelter are bettered and
the interchange Of experience and
methods raises all humanity to a
higher level.
Not everyone can go to Paris for
these lessons. Our State will be
there in all it's iridescent splendor.