Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-01

enterprise by the construction of the larg-
est building on the plateau, to be filled with
novel collections from the various depart
ments, of unprecedented variety and in
terest. This magnificent edifce,
not unlike the capitol in its
architectural motive, will have
many novel features, and the display of
agricultural products and developments will
surpass anything attempted heretofore.
1t seems incredible that men are now liy-
ing who can remember the time when there
was not an acre OF grain in the world that
was not sowed broadcast by hand and reaped
by the sickle and cradle, nor a bushel that
was not threashed upon the barn floor with
the dull thunder of the alternate fail" and
wfnnowed by the wandering winds. The
successive steps in the development of agri-
cultural machinery, by which, as ex-
Senator Evarts facetiously said farming
has become entirely a sedentary occupation, =
are among the most marvellous achieve
ments of an age in which more has been
accomplished for human progress than in all
the 5000 years that preceded. 1t is this
above all other conditions that make the
empire of the west possible and justihes
the Omaha exposition. Had it not been for
the steel plowshare, the steam reaper and
mower, and thresher, the prairies of the
west would yet have been lying fallow, save
for the tillage OF nature, and not a furrow
would have been turned beyond the Missouri.
History records the wonders of Egypt, its
temples and palaces, its statues. pyramids
and cities, its wealth and learning and glory,
surviving the wrecks OF thirty centuries.
These were the result OF the Iabors of a few
million slaves. with rude implements, upon
the narrow margin OF fertility along the
Nile and its delta, not exceeding in area
one-tenth part OF the state of Nebraska. The
imagination is bafied in contemplating the
future OF that region whose genesis will be
told by the Omaha exposition, when the toll
OF Intelligent freemen supplemented by
machinery and new discoveries and inven-
tions shall have completely developed its
unmeasured resources.
In addition to agriculture. adequate prep
aratlons are made in noble
for manufactures. mines and mining,
machinery. electricity. and the fine and
liberal arts, and for congresses and conven-
tions, where the problems of the past and
the future will be treated by the most
eminent scholars and thinkers OF the world.
Nothing will be omitted TO make the
occasion memorable and worthy of the
great epoch OF which IL will be one OF the
browning events.
Industrial Expeditions Modern
These industrial expeditions, which are so
prominent a feature In our civilization, are
OF comparatively recent origin, because 1t is
only by easy and cheap transportation that
they have become possible. Steam and
electricity nave made near neighbors OF
those who would have remained strangers a
century ago. The railroad and the telegraph
have abolished boundaries and made the
whole world turn to the exposition as the
mart where states and nations assemble In
pacific emulation and friendly rivalry,to ex-
change ideas, to compare methods. 10
establish trade relations. TO improve in
dustry. to elevate taste. to stimulate inven-
tion and to celebrate the victories Of peace.
1t Is Just 100 years ago that the first ex-
position was held in France II continued
for one week. There was one Judge. He
awarded ten medals and gave
twenty exhibitors noporable mention.