The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-30
PRESIDENT FRANCIS SPEAKS.

Exposition company spoke as follows:
The people Of the Louisiana Purchase
are proud OF their membership in the Fed
eral Union. They are grateful for the
benefits that have flowed from a life un-
der the enduring institutions formed by
the founders of the Republic. They con-
gratulate their brethren on the position
our country occupies among the nations
OF the earth and felicitate themselves on
the part they have performed toward
raising 1t, to its present prestige and
power.
They felt II a patriotic duty to fittingly
commemorate the completion OF the first
century OF their connection with the Am
erican Republic, and the rounding out OF
an important epoch in the life OF the Re-
public. In the discharge OF that duty this
Exposition was conceived. The inhabit-
ants OF the fourteen states and two terri
tories comprised within the purchase se-
lected Saint Louis as the scene OF the cell
ebration.
The people OF this city, grateful for the
honor conferred, promptly accepted II
and cheerfully assumed the immense re-
sponsibility II entailed. The century just
closed. unequalled as IL was In every line
OF progress. furnished no more striking
evidence OF the advance of civllizat tion
than the development OF the Louisiana
Territory. A celebration In such an age
and in such a country, to be At, should be
highest. and should be planned upon lines
broad enough to take in every people
and every cline.
AN AMBITIOUS SCHEME.
A scheme so ambitious In the inception.
naturally had comparatively few advo-
Gates, and encountered many antagonists
and more doubters. II could not be ac-
complished without the recognition and
the aid Of the general government, which
for a time II seemed impossible to enlist.
II was decided that the amount required
TO launch an undertaking so comprehen-
sive should be the same as that paid for
the Empire which Jefferson purchased,
SIS, 900, ,0o0 The congress said to Saint
Louis. when you have secured two
thirds of that sum we will provide the re-
manning third" The conditions were 40
cepted and fulfilled.
After three years OF struggle the sin
ews had been secured, the frst step ac-
complshed. Two years have since elapsed.
During that period the work has been
pushed In every ststc-Sstnd territory and
possession OF the United States, and I'm
every civilized country on the earth. The
disappointment experienced and the OBJ
stacles encountered have but served to
spur to renewed effort those who from
the inception OF the movement had deter
mined TO carry IL to a successful consum-
nation.
VIGOROUS EXPLOITATION.
The further encouragement from the
general government In the provision for
its own exhibit, the cooperation OF the
forty-one states and territories and pos
sessions OF the United States. the pledged
participation OF thirty-two foreign coun-
tries are the results OF vigorous domes-
tic and foreign exploitation. That and
what you behold here today In physical
shape we submit az the product OF Ave
years OF labor. nearly four OF which were
devoted to propaganda and appeal and or
ganiaaion.
The plan and scope. comprehensive as
they were In the beginning. have never
been diminished at any stage OF the pro-
sress: rather have they been amplifed
and enle -ged.
Saint Louis. with an ever widening
sense OF responsibility and an ever grow
ing appreciation OF the opportunity has,
UP to this moment risen TO the full meas
ure OF the duty assumed. The manage
mont Of the exposition has never de-
SPARED. but with realizinE sense OF
the mighty task Il has undertaken and
mindful Of the limitations of human ca
liabilities with singleness of purpose and
with personal sacrifice for which II
neither asks nor deserves credit. has
striven 20 meet the expectations Of those
whose trust II holds.
the treaties OF Jay and Pinckney mate