The St. Louis Republic., 1900-11-04

has astonished mankind. |: ST. Louis is tc
march in the front rank of progress. il
| must display the unity of action and the
| loyalty to the public welfare which have
made other American cities great. If ouI
! citizens undertake 20 hold an Exposition
local patriotism and the fear OF failure VIII
cunStrain them to that cooperation which
! will inquire success. The discipline OF q
! great Fair in developing a concert OF etICri
| would be highly beneficial to this metrop-
! oils. putlic-spiritcd citizenship is po-
! tent force for the promotion OF municipal
! interests.
Educational Benefits.
| But the economical advantages of a
| Worlds Fair will be fa: less important than
| its educational benefits. There Is some
| thing higher and better than mere pecunI-
| AIRY gain. The financial standard is not the
| criterion of trIie success. There are intel
| lectuaI and moral Influences whose worth
cannot be measured by money values. None
| of the religious and educational institutions
which the cause and inspiration Of mod
ern civilization are seif-supporting. Eat,
because they do not pay dividends, cultl-
waited nations are not disposed To close the
sources of their real greatness. Worlds
Fair is a great university for the enilghteu-
nent of mankind The object lessons IN
its halls Will teach the historic development
of the Louisiana Territory from its humble
beginnings 10 its present greatness. Its eX-
hibts will display the highest and best
achievements of modern civilization: show
what genius in art. invention. electricity,
and til. myriad phases of science has ac-
complished. and broaden the mental horizon
Of its students by the sight OF all that is
srandest in human progress.
In educating and Iibera;izing the public
mind. in showing the advancement of man
kind in every sphere of human activity, III
creating higher ideals and aspirations. IN
cultivat!ng aesthetic tastes and an iniei-
liCeut appreciation OF artistic beauty and In
fostering spirit OF international fellow
ship, our Exposition irrespective of its vast
industrial benefits, will be worth to st.
LOUIS far nlore than the millions it VIII
cost.
The gain, or loss of all these advantages
will depend upon the votes which our cti-
zens will cast in the election on November
e. The adoption OF the fourth constitutional
amendment will permit st. Louis to issue
bonds to the amount of s5,0rp,6pN in further
auce OF a Worlds Fair. OF the additional
s.. go 00G 10 be levied by private subscrip-
ton more than SNl1.gOD have already been
contributed. If tine popular vote is in favor
of the amendment, then beyond all doubt
the sum necessary to complete the private
subscription will soon he raised. and the
work OF preparation for the Exposition VIII
be vigorously prosecuted. The United States
Government has granted Sjeo0.O0O in aid of
cur undertaking, gut not one dollar OF this
appropriation can he drawn from the ma
tionai treasury until St. Louis has raised
and expended Sl0.0e0,G0g in behalf of the
Fair. Now. If d majority of our citizens
are opposed to the fourth constitutional
amendment. the conditions on which the
Government appropriation was made CAR
not he realized and the project of uni
vers;al exposition Will have to be abandoned. |
Foreign nations have been assured that a
Worlds Far will be held in this city In
1896. y noufulhm.nt Of our promise would |
be discreditable to St. Louis. The failure |
would be imputed TO Il lack of enterprise |
and Of public spirit. such Il reproach would !
injurc tie. fair fame and commercial inter- |
es;s of this community. On next Tuesday |
an intelligent SENSE of public duty will lead |
all our citizens who desire TO maintain the |
honor OF ST. Louis and enjoy the prosperity |
v hich an Exposition promotes to vote III
favor of the fourth constitutional amend |
ment. No voter should. through forgetfuI-
ness or Inattention, neglect TO strike out |
the No after amendment No. L.