Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-29
AT THE ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION
James Lawrence Blair Briefly Gives
an Outline of the scope of
the Fair.

DR.. George L. Miller was host at a
luncheon given in honor OF Mr.. James Law
renee Blair OF st. Louis at the Omaha
club yesterday. Mr.. Blair, who is a son
Of the late Frank P. Blair, is general
counsel for the st. Louis Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition company, and also a men,
Der OF the committee on ceremonies. At
the table about q dozen gentlemen were
seated, including Henry w. Yates. Edward
A. Cudahy, Robert w. Patrick and others.
Some remarks we're made after lunch had
been disposed of and DR.. Miller introduced
the guest Of the occasion, referring with
feeling to General Blair, who was a warm
friend Of yesterdays host. In responding
Mr.. Blair said:
IL had not thought I would be expected
to say anything here today, but the words
OF your genial host. and his most fatter-
ing Introduction are enough not only to
relieve me Of embarrassment, but to in
splre me with a theme. I cannot thank
him enough for his words Of praise for
my illustrious father; l have heard such
eulogy all over this broad land wherever
/ have gone-even in the south, where as
a military leader he was obliged 10 enforce
the stern rules Of war. II is doubIy pleas
ant to hear them from the lips Of one
who knew him so well and loved him SO
much. Be assured I shall not forget them.
nor you, and that / shall strive that l may
follow in his steps and be not alone the
shadow Of a great name, but emuious OF his
fair fame, whose memory l so greatly cher
ish.
"In view OF some things which have been
said among US here in conversation, / may,
l think, without violating good taste, speak.
Of our great exposition in 81. Louis. Those
who are planning and executing this SUI
perb pageant, have In mind no ordinary
feat. With the history Of all the interna-
tlonal expositions behind them they pro-
pose to produce a vast and splendid dis
play, illustrative of the achievements of
man in all departments Of human endeavor,
but they will do more; they intend also
that the keynote of this exposition shall
be educational; 1t Is not to be a mere show.
nor even to appeal only to the pleasure
loving people Of the earth; 1t will be a
sequential synopsis of all the past and a
guide for all future cndeaVor. II is to
be an exposition OF processes as we'll as
products. 1t Is to teach men not only
knowledge, but the best Of all accomplish
ments, the faculty for using knowledge,
The theme OF the picture is to be motion,
progress, achievement; the evolution OF
man In the past, his evolution and eleya-
tion in the future. it is to be a serious.
scientific educator of all the peoples OF the
earth. "A vast clearing house Of human
learning and a perpetual incentive to prog
ress and higher civilization.
I'm the name of the city of st. Louis l
invite you TO be present. not for an hour
or for a day, but while you can see for your
self the prodigiousneSs Of the surround
ing and the high and disinterested purpose
Of It's promoters.
onward move. Something has been said
here by Mr. Yates about the doctrine Of
states rights. Let me say that whilst the
exposition company has no politics II rec
| ognises that doctrine to the extent that the
state Of Nebraska has an undisputed right
to appropriate about $3.50, 900 for Its repre-
sentation at the exposition and no fed
eralist will ever call 1t to account for ex-
cseding its powers. ! thank you, gentle
men, and hope to see you all in 1904 in
ST. Louis and at the dedication serviee'next
month"