The San Francisco call., 1898-03-23
caLlFoRNIa's sEMI-cENTENNIaL.

HE Eastern States and communities make Ire ! quent occasion to bring their people together
 in spirit of historical review. The States ol the Middle West have interstate associations ol po neers. Those who have served III the legisiatiVe office in the formative period have pioneer law makers associations On all of these occasions good citizenship and civic pride and spirit ae encouraged and right public opinion IS propagated Fatrlotsi is refreshed by the various army assocatonS' lolleu of those who were fellows in the corps and dVlsions that bore high part in gallant actions at arms in the Civil War In these all the courage and sacrihce shown on both sides in that struggle are coming to be credited to the general American character for va1or and willingness to fight that idea may be concerted 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 every one in right public spirit which all must pro- mote.
 The proper and comprehensive celebration of our semi-centennial will be point of departure for this State and her neighborlng sisters.
 The time i'll which 1t is to be accomplished is not as important as its accomplishment. If inaugurated Tn 1900 and completed in the ensuing 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 sure that no one wishes monopoze the credit of suggestion Such matters are we'll left to the facts. The sole credit be hereafter entered, is to be measured to those who did the most to plan, to promote and to make successful a movement involving the good of all.
 No fact is more imposing than the growth of this form i'll which modern civilization has chosen to ex- press itself. The first worlds fair at London was worlds surprise though III fact 1t but little exceeded
 
 Fair in San Francisco Its suggestion, however, was permanent Out of its profits the South Kensington Museum was established 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 the benefit, which constant radiance from the first effort of civilization to mass 1n competitive exhibit what man has wrought
 In positively utilitarian age no one has ques- toned the utility of these great expostons. They have in place opened markets and at a distance have fertzed production 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 exhibitions The conservation and economy of force is taught. Those economics of life and effort which mean the wider and more constant comfort of existence are made matters of common knowledge and add to common profit. Every toi- ing hand increases its capital of skill every hungry mouth adds to its ration, health and shelter bet tered and the interchange of experience and methods raises all humanity to a higher level.
 Not every one can go to Paris for these lessons Our State will be there in all its irdescent spendor We will take our place among the teachers. But in own semi-centennal all of people will be among the taught. The world will be here to repay its debt and we will receive dues in spirit of absorption and with feeling of conservation that we
 
 stock
 One may not measure the profits by the balance be- tween the income and outgo. But that such balance will be on the right side of the ledger there is no for doubt Its future investment will invoke the wisest action. It will doubt go into some per manent and growing form which will project the teaching function of the exhibition far into the future and will gather the increasing of knowledge into enduring object lesson which continually will teach all the ability of this sunlit region to add its full share the learning and comfort of mankind