Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-07-27
VALUE OF WORLDS FAIR.


by Rev. William ". wilson.
The worlds fair at st. Louis, stu
pendous in size and beautiful IN its
architectural and scenic effects, is now
demanding our attention and appeal
ing to all citizens for patronage and
Endorsement. Its first claim to our at
tention is its bigness. In size it ex-
GELS all previous worlds fairs. cover
ing more ground and containing more
buildings than any of those which
have preceded it.
The American ambition for size and
display is being gratifed in this ex-
positioS Those who take any salts
faction in Boosting may reasonably
claim we have the largest fair the
world has yet known. This is not idle
boasting.
It is not always vain or superb
cial estimate of success TO boast of
mere material progress We have
large country, unlimited In resources
and bOundless in its opportunities, de-
handing breadth of vision and ex
traordinary efforts for its development.
American boasting is the growth of
American achievement, which is the
result of the greatness of American
opportunity. The worlds progress re-
quires large minds moved by gener-
Gus impulses, awakening great hopes
and leading to great deeds
A big fair, therefore. by its immense
size moves men TO undertake great en-
terprises and stimulates them with
large hopes of success in the future.
The immense sum of money expended
in preparing this great fair, about
S20,000,O00, startles the public and
awakens a criticism of extravaganza.
Will there be an adequate return for
such an outlay? is asked
There is much difference of opinion
among people in Chicago whether the
worlds fair of 1893 was more of
benefit than an injury to our city. OF
the dozen or more worlds fairs held
during the past fifty years in different
parts of the world not one has been a
financial success The St Louis fair
will do well if the managers are able
to meet the running expenses without
any return for the money invested.
From a strictly business point of view
worlds fairs are n failure But the
value of such a fair does not consist
in the material returns. but in the in
tellectual, moral and spiritual stimu-
lus which is impaired by it. In selfish
= ma limo frir * M
good derived from any enterprise ex-
cept such as can be measured by ma
terial returns, whereas they fail to see
the ability to get wealth requires a
source of supply.
Money is but the representative of
wealth and sometimes represents il
very inadequately. Back of all money
or all other tokens of wealth is the
true richness of noble purpose and ex-
allied motive
Men require a supply of energy and
hopefulness which is brought to them
| through the opportunities a great
worlds fair supplies. Here they have
set before them with a reality and
certainty which no amount of reading
or study can supply the actual results
of the ingenuity of men. The prod
ucts of the arts and sciences in all
lands are gathered together and made
tributary to their inquiry. Through
a few days spent at the worlds fair
a man will obtain a direct knowledge
of things which could not otherwise
be obtained except through years of
! study. He learns of the differences
and agreements among men and sees
many object lessons TO move his heart
with sympathy for all his fellow men.
In the representatives of all nation
alities and in the various contribu-
tions to the display of human progress
| he sees the expression of universal
sentiments and is moved to greater
appreciation of the brotherhood OF all
mankind Life is seen in greater full
ness and broader relations. The soul
is lifted up out of n selfish and mar
row idea of life into comprehensive
view of universal truth. When we see
what men have attained we are en-
couraged to hope for great pOssibili-
ties in the future. Perceiving through
our senses and assimilating by our re-
| Election he wonders of the word
spread out before us. we imagine tic
glory Of the universe when man final
ly attains the fullness of his develop
ment.
From some elevated position we
look upon descending terraces, fra
grant pastures, sparkling cascades,
beautiful buildings and waving foil
age and imagine the glory of the New
| Jerusalem.