Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-02

i ne Achievements Oh lne past century
have been magnificent. The march of
progress has been swift, and the tri-
umphs Of civilization have been mani
fold. The age of enlightenment Is in
deed here. Mankind has progressed in
the culture of the finer side Of exist
ence and has turned to its uses the
mysterious forces of the elements in
manner undreamed of but few centu-
ries ago.
Yet who can foretell what the Twen-
tieth century has to unfold? Who
would dare to predict what the
achievements Of another hundred years
may be? Standing on the threshold OF
this era, we look into the past. and ID
the grand picture of progress TO be pre-
scented in the beautiful buildings and
comprehensive exhibits OF the Fan
American Exposition we see record
In graphic form OF what mankind has
accomplished upon this hemisphere
during the 100 years now completed.
With vision sharpened we look for
ward with prophetic eye into the mys-
teries of the future and get, in imagi-
nation at least, glimpse Of what the
next century is to bring forth.
Can it be possible that the Twentieth
| century will see an advance in material
and intellectual things as great rela-
| lively to that Of other centuries as the
Nineteenth century has witnessed? 1t
scarcely seems within the bounds of
possibility, and yet who can say wheth-
er even more wonderful discoveries
and even more valuable applications OF
our present knowledge than the past
century has given us do not await us in
the one now just begun? The Nine
teenth century saw the revolution In
methods of travel ON land and sea
caused by the invention OF the steam
engine; it saw the invention Of the tele-
graph and telephone and electric light;
it witnessed the application of electric
power to urban transportation methods
and to the operation of the wheels of
industry generally: it produced great
improvements in the fields Of medicine
and surgery and Of education; it gave
US inventions in the way Of machinery
which have completely revolutioniZed
industry and shortened the hours of
labor for the manual workers Of the
civilized world and particularly Of this
hemisphere. To go on and enumerate
in detail the features Of Nineteenth
century progress would require more
space than is at my command. But 1t
will not do to forget that great as this
progress has been and proud as we
have a right to be Of it there are ire
mendous problems OF social and po-
litical character yet to be solved. Their
settlement during the next century will
do much to alleviate the misery vet ex-
listing in the world and render happier
the millions who will be born. live and
die during the next hundred years. 1t
should not be forgotten that many
branches of science are yet in their in
fancy. We have only begun to under
stand the mysterious force Of electrici-
ty, and we have not yet succeeded in
navigating the air. There are yet many
worlds to be conquered by the daring,
the inventive and the pioneers Of hui
man progress in the forthcoming cen
fury.
That the pulse OF mankind will be
Quickened by the great Exposition OF
all the Americas so soon to be held
there is no room for doubt.
No more appropriate time could be
chosen for such an Exposition upon the
American continent No more appro-
pirate place than Buffalo and the Nj
| ~
It is at this spot, where the cataract OF
Niagara has been harnessed and sci
ence and industry have combined to
concentrate all the energies and activi-
ties characteristic of the time. that the
most fitting assemblage can he made
Of the things which portray most eff
fectively this progress.
Never before in the history Of expo
sitions in either the New World or the
Old has such remarkable work Of a
constructive character been done.
Never before did six months show such
a wonderful change in the appearance
of tract OF land as has been worked.
without the aid OF magic, in the $50
acres which comprise the site OF the
Pan-American Exposition.
Now that the principal buildings are
practically constructed and the whole
great enterprise has been thus far run
on schedule time 1t can be seen that
the commence existing In the apIIry
of the management to open the gates
! on May l upon a completed and per-
!, fectly embellished creation is justified
i, The financial prospects of the Expo
. stion are all that could be desired
. The advertising it has received is al
. ready bringing forth fruit, and an I'M
!. precedentedly large attendance is now
. as certain as anything can be which
2 belongs to the future.
Seen from the distance of three
: quarters of a mile away the EXPOSE
! ton grounds present the appearance Of
? grand and beautiful city, and when
. all is complete and winters frost has
given place to the sunlight and warmth
Of summer the charm of the scene will
be such that the impression given will
last a lifetime.
EDWARD HALE BRITISH