The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-15
EXPORT EXPOSITION OPEN.
our NATIONAL GREl TNESS THE
THEME OF THE EXERCISES.

port Exposition was opened to- day In the
presence OF 10 900 rersons. who crowded into
the auditorium to listen to the speeches. the
singing OF the chorus OF 800 voices and
the music OF the Marine Band. The build
ings are finished. but the exhibits are
not more than half in place. and 1t
will he fully week before the show
is in proper condition. Vice. President W. W.
Foulkrod presided at the ceremonies in the
absence OF President Widener. The Rev Kerr
Boyce Upper asked blessing on the enter
prise, after which tho chorus and the audience
sang America"
In his address presenting the exposition to
the Governor as the representative OF the State.
Mr.. Foulkrod said that this was the first time
that such an exposition had ever been held;
that It had been organized on broad principles.
the object being to aid the American manu-
facturer 10 exhibit his product. and to show by
comparison what he could do In the way OF
competing with the manufacturers OF the
world. He referred to the prominence OF this
city as a manufacturing centre. and said that
1t gave him great pleasure to turn over to the
Governor the building free from debt.
Director General Wilson reviewed the story
OF the growth and purpose OF the Commercial
Museums. and told the manner in which the
idea OF the Export Exposition had originated
and advanced. Speaking OF the results that
were to be achieved BY the exposition he said:
1T means. first. the supplying OF new
markets with American made wares in every
country OF the world. The time is coming
when this nation will lead the world
in manufacturing interests as it does to-day
in agricultural exports. 1t means. also.
the fuller employment OF our labor and
the renewed activity OF all our factories full
handed. Then will follow the prosperity OF
the laborsr and tho oitizan OF the United
States in every walk OF life. 1t means the
widening OF our markets beyond our own
borders the building OF ships and the estab-
lishinent Of new merchant marine. SO that
the $500. 000. 900 now paid to foreign shipping
for the carrying Of our own products may be
retained in the treasury OF our own people"
Most OF the speeches contained a plea for the
revival of the American Merchant Marine.
Gov Stone In accepting the buildings in behalf
OF the State. said:
by this exhibition the United States throws
down tho gauntlet to the world and challenges
any and all countries to produce articles as
good and as cheap are here shown"
The Governor said. In reference to the mer-
chant marine:
Our only drawback is shipping facilities
Wo have protected and fostered our Industries,
but we have neglected our shipping To-day
our exports ara carried in foreign ships. and
we arc paying $1S0.00O0o0 each year to
foreign ship owners. This is a reflection on
our statesmanship. 1t ought not to be. Our
ocean freight should be carried In American
ships 1.-THE circumstances do not justify the
construction OF American ships in American
docks Congress should. by subsidy or other
wise. make II an inducement to capital to en-
bark in this enterprise. Our flag should be
moro often seen flying from the masts Of
ocean ships and our nation should appear
abroad what it really 10 at home.'
Mayor Ashbridge. in accepting the buildings
on behalf OF the City Of Philadelphia. said that
it was fitting that the exposition should be
held here for the reason that this was the
greatest manufacturing city in the Union. he
added:
I'm feats OF arms the American people have
demonstrated their prowess. and commanded
respect which must necessarily advance the
business interests ot our people. The Spa nish
War seems but a prelude to an era Of wonder
full commercial development. Young as this
country is. and rapid as has been it's
growth. it Is but upon the threshold OF
comm eroial Intercourse with other great
nations. The victories OF warfare are
now to be followed by the triumphs Of our
commercial and Industrial life. American
thought is drifting from successes at arms to
achievements in the markets Of the world. As
a nation we nave now established our position
With peace restored we are prepared to enter
into those pleasanter relations which tend 10
the progress Of the nation and the prosperity
of the people,
Congressman W. P. Hepburn OF Iowa. the
orator OF the day. In his address spoke Of the
increasing population Of the United States.
the great increase In production, the necessity
for extending our markets. the advance in
methods Of manufacture that made production
easier. and the great wealth Of material. both
raw and manufactured. for which there must
be found market In speaking Of tho revival
OF the American merchant marine he said:
I'VE must have friendly ports and frequent
coaling stations in all parts OF the world. We
must foster the building OF our own ships to
carry our own goods. We must regain our
power on the seas We must encourage our
youth TO be sailors. rs we did two gen
| erations ago We must shorten the voy-
age to Asia. not by discovering the
northwest passage. but by digging a new one
by way OF the Isthmus a new waterway that
we can own. control. protect and use as a sub
sidy to encourage shipbuilding: by waving
canal tolls in favor OF American ships carrying
American goods. In fact. we must do all
that our rivals have been doing for the
last fifty years. And we must do more than
they. We must educate our merchants
| and our manufacturers 50 that they can
do their full part They have the skill to
| manufacture. they have the competent opera
| tives. they have abundant raw material. they
have inventive genius. they have capital. But
! thoy must have more than ell Of these They
must have an intimate knowledge Of the peo-
pie and of the countries with which they pro-
| pose to trade"
Mr.. Hepburn said. In referring to the future
| OF this country:
| The last two years have been somewhat
| exceptional years. 1t is true. but they have
| astonished mankind. They show that our
| general exports have exceeded our
imports by about $1,000 DOC. 900. and
that In manufactured articles our ox-
ports exceeded our imports by nearly
| Sl00.000.000 in value. What infinite en-
couraGement there is for us in the balance
sheet OF the worlds trade for the last two years
But there are many OF our people who stand
| with forsbodnR and fear. They are appre.
| hsnsive that evil will come to us from the
expansion OF our territorial limits. But
why feRrr Expansion has been the history
| NJ the Tol hue