Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-11

public libraries Of the United States. That
will be one of the greatest benefits Of this
exposition. Nicholas Murray Butler, presi-
dent of Columbia University in the city of
New York, is the editor of these publica-
tons and has already issued twenty vol
umes. When the exposition is over and the
work of all the congresses Is preserved in
print, 1t will be one OF the most compre-
hensive and valuable libraries in existence.
Such thing was never done before, and we
can never be deprived of that part of the
exposition.
International Congresses.
The international congress first became
known at the Paris exposition of 1859,
where a series of meetings of professional
and scientific men was held with such sue
cess that the idea was adopted at Chicago,
and you will remember that we had there
in the art institute building a continuous
conference of the wisest and the most
learned men in the sciences, philosophy,
literature, art, agriculture, trade, history,
labor and other lines OF thought, culminat-
ing in the congress of religions under the
late DR.. Barrows,t which actually agitated
the entire world The Paris exposition of
1900 held series of international con-
ferences under the direction of the French
government, which prescribed the manner
and method of their organization and con-
duct; and the program was so successful
and the results were 50 important that the
LOUIS peOpie ifdte mace a series OIL SIM
liar assemblies one Of the chief features of
the fair.
You have doubtless read the reports of
these meetings in the newspapers and know
how successful they have been, and how
much they have been appreciated by the
learned men of this country and by the
public at large. They have been a step be-
yond those of Paris in 1900, and consider
ably in advance of those at Chicago, both
in the number and the character of the men
who have attended them and in the value of
the addresses and discussions. The schol-
ars and the captains of industry and trade
of different nations have discovered how
much they can learn at such gatherings
and how they can renew their energy and
stimulate their enthusiasm by coming in
contact with the ablest minds in their par
ticular occupations, and hence a larger
number of important men have come to ST
Louis during the present summer than were
ever gathered together before at any time
or place. The effect of the contact and the
exchange of ideas will be far-reaching and
permanent, and ST. Louis has set the mace
Tor all future international assemblies.
Effect Upon the Masses.
1t will be interesting to watch the effect
upon the common people, upon the masses
who have been there and have caught a
little of the inspiration and have learned a
little of the ideas and have seen the faces
and have laughed at the eccentricities Of
siedl men. lou Woulu De surprised II you
could sit on bench in the great plaza
which Is the heart of the exposition
grounds, and talk as l have done with
strangers of all classes of society and from
all parts of the country. You would be
astonished at the extent of the information
possessed by the average visitor concerning
the men who compose the congresses the
topics which they have discussed, and the
public interest felt in them. You would be
even more astonished to hear the intelligent
criticisms and comments that are uttered
by the average visitor upon what he has
heard and read in this connection.
The educational effect of the architecture,
the landscape gardening, the artistic in
stallations and the exhibits upon the public
cannot be overestimated The broadening
and elevating influence will reach millions
of men, women and children for they can
not come here and see what there is to be
seen without receiving indelible impressions,
though perhaps unconscious, upon their
taste and their manners. The Imagination
must be stirred, the senses must be refined
by the influence. The interior decorations,
the wall paper, the carpets and furniture,
the art pottery, china, glasses, bronZes, the
silks and upholstery that are admired will
be remembered for years, will be discussed
and coveted and initiated so far as possible
by those who have seen them.
Mr.. Blaine used to say that the renais-
sance of household decoration in the United
States began with the centennial exposition,
and its influence upon public taste could
be observed In every country. A similar In
huence was exerted by the Chicago expo
sition, and those az Bumalo. Omaha, Attain
ia, Nashville and aother places and every
time an exposition has been held since 1876
its influence has BEEN wider and greater
and more permanent.
The impression which, the visitor to this
exposition receives of the growth and the
greatness of this iiationswould alone justify
the expenditure ofthe smany millions that
1t has cost. M