The record-union., 1899-12-06


rank amongst exhibitors, does not suf-
flee to meet the increasingly urgent de-
mands of our manufacturers.
The efforts of the Commissioner Gen.
eral are ably directed toward a strict
ly representative display Of all that
most Enthusiastically marks Ameri-
can achievement in the inventive arts,
and most adequately shows the excel
lence of our natural productions.
In this age of keen rivalry among ma
lions for mastery in commerce the doc
trine of evolution and the rule of the
survival of the fttest must be as in
exorable in their opinion as they are
positive in the results to bring about.
The place won in the struggle by an in
dustrial people can only be held by
unrelaxed endeavor and constant ad-
vance in achievement.
The present extraordinary impetus
in every line of American expectation,
and the astounding increase in the vol
ume and value of our share in the
worlds markets, may not be attrib-
uted to accidental conditions. The rea-
sons are not far to seek. They lie
deep in our national character, and find
expression year by year in every
branch of handicraft in every new de-
vice whereby the ma terials we so album
dainty produce are subdued to the art1-
sans will, and made to yield the la e.
est, most practical and most beneficial
return.
The American exhibit at Paris should
and I am confident, will be an open
volume, whole lessons of skillfully d.
rected endeavor, unfaltering energy
and consummate performance may be
read by all on every page, thus spread
ing abroad a clearer knowledge of the
worth of our producers and the justice
of our claim to an important place in
the markets of the world. To accom-
plish this by judicious selection, by
recognition of paramount merit in
whatever walk of trade and -manufac-
ture it may appear, and by orderly
classification and attractive installa-
ton, is the task of our commission.
The United States Government build
ing is approaching completion, and no
effort will be spared to make it worthy,
in beauty of architectural plan and in
completeness of display, to represent
our nation 1t has been suggested
that a permanent building of similar
or appropriate design be erected on a
convenient site, already given by the
municipality, near the Exposition
grounds, to serve in concentration OF
the part taken by this country in this
great enterprise, as an American Ma
tional Institute for our countrymen re-
sorting to Paris for study.
I am informed by our Commissioners
General that we shall have in the
American section over 1900 exhibitors
from every State in our country, about
ten times as great as those represent
ed at Vienna in 1878, six times as many
as those in Paris in 1878. and four
times as many as those who exhibited
in Paris in 1889. This statement does
not include the exhibits from either
Cuba, Porto Rico or Hawaii, for which
arrangements have been made.
A number of important international
congresses on special topics affecting
public interests are proposed to be held
in Paris next summer in connection
with the Exposition. Effort will be
made to have the several technical
branches of our administration eff
GENTLY represented at these confer
ences, each in it's special line and to
procure the largest possible concourse
of State representatives, particularly al
the congresses of public charity and OF
medicine.