The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-02

ushered in, Peace and good will among
| men,
PRESIDENT FRANCIS
EXTENDS GREETINGS.
Mr.. Thurston then gave way to d. f.
! Francis President of the Exposition. who
rose to extend greeting on behalf of the
Exposition. He expressed the belief that
| such an international Fair was conducive
| TO a better understanding of the policies and
| interests of all nations.
| 1T means" said he. the bringing to-
| sether in a colossal display the best that
| all civilized nations represent. 1t stands
| for the universal economy of human en-
deavor, profitable for the study of nations
p, as we'll as individuals
| The International Exposition whose ded-
| ication you honor by your presence was
| conceived in an effort to commemorate a
| great achievement, which has proven a
| potent factor in increasing our wealth and
| sustaining our institutions and perpetuating
| our independence.
| The interest manifested by the Govern
ments and the people whom you represent
in pledges of participation has been en-
courasng and helpful in the highest de-
| gree, and We are glad of this opportunity
| enables us TO show you the character and
scope of the undertaking we have launched.
Our plans are ambitious and our hopes high.
but We are energetic and untiring. and with
T, your recognition and assistance We expect
| TO carry to Il successful consummation an
| enterprise which will not only assemble
! the natural resources of the earth and bring
| together the best products of human skill,
! but will be the occasion for elcting the
| expression of the best thought and for
| classifying and system,Zing all human
knowledge.
We hope this Exposition will be an epit-
ONE of the progress OF the world from the
beginning of history. The Nineteenth Cen
tury characterized by unprecedented
and almost Incomprehensible industrial ad-
vancement. The earth was made to reveal
its hidden treasures. The unknown forces
! of nature were harnessed and utilized.
Iires of commerce were established which
encirce the earth.
Sections of the globe remote and almost
unknown to each other were brought into
close communication and friendly relation.
1t would seem that there Is little to be done
in the field of scientific effort. But every
discovery and every advance opens a
broader plane for the exercise of human
ingenuity.
THAT this Exposition may be a powerful
aid in the elevation and advancement of
the human race, is the prayer of those who
organized and have brought 1t to Its present
stage of progress That the countries for
which you stand may unite with us in pro-
noting an undertaking fraught with such
good to humanity is the earnest wish of
the local management and the sincere hope
OF every right-thinkins citizen of the Amer
lean Republic.
Again, / welcome you as guests whom
we delight to honor for your personal
worth, as well as for what you represent"
FRANCES CONSTANT
FRIENDSHIP RECALLED
When President Francis finished NJ. JUS
seraud was introduced The French Min
lister speaks English with a French accent
but easily could be understood. His adj
dress seemed imbucd with spirit of SYM
pathy for sister Republic to that of
France. spirit that moved Lafayette 10
undertake to fight the American fight for
liberty,
His description of the early French pi-
oneers. of their hardships. and the effect
, Of what they accomplished in shaping the
boundaries of the lands explored, was
period of the American Revolution, he said
Years went on, the dark shadows and
splendid rays of light with which French
history Is interviewer shone and vanished
in their grand and awful alternance. One
day the French flag was lowered in Louis
, lana; that was at the close of the seven
years war. Another day the same flag
was seen on the mast of a small vessel
leaving the harbor at Bordeaux, and sail
ing for America. The ship happened to bear
the auspicious name of La Victoire.'' and
1t bore Lafayette. Then it was the alli-
ance of IT'S, and the coming on the same
year of the first envoy accredited by any
nation to this country. my predecessor,
Gerard de Eayneval, q stanch friend of
America; then the peace Of 17Ss. when. with
the assent of the whole world. to the JOY
OF every French heart thirteen stars shone
on the American flag.
France recovered then neither Louisiana