The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-05-06

visitors from all nations there may re-
suit not alone great benefits to inven-
ton, manufacture, agriculture, trade
and commerce, but also stronger inter-
national friendship and more lasting
peace"
"Aoquaintanes Softens Prejudice"
Acquaintance softens prejudice" has
been ringing in my ears ever since
those three words were uttered by a
foreign graduate of one of our Ameri.
can universities in speech delivered
some years ago. The learned states
man, Hon. Elihu Root, voiced the same
sentiment when about to leave the
high office of secretary Of state in sub
stantially these words: 1T were impos-
sible for any nation to be at war If the
peoples of the conflicting countries un-
derstood each other"
Universal expositions soften preju-
dices, remove commercial antipathies
and settle political differences by
bringing the people of all nations into
friendly intercourse for the discussion
Of ideas, the exchange of commodities
and for the advancement of mankind
socially. morally, intellectually and
commercially. They reflect the thought
and action of peaceful, pursuits and
reach their greatest successes during
or following long periods OF national
and international peace. Their exhib-
its are the product of the arts of peace.
and their object Is the promotion Of
peaceful activity in thought and word
and deed. They are the antithesis of
war, the embodiment of peace. Their
grounds are set apart as extraterri-
t0rial, devoted to the use of all nations
and all peoples on parity and equall-
ty. The Panama Pacific international
Exposition grounds today are common
to all. No creed or race is barred; all
have equal rights and privileges. 1t is
neutral ground for warning or tranquil
nations alike. 1t is one great democ-
racy where all unite in contributing to
an expression of gratitude for the pres
ent and inspiration for the future, and
because the exposition ia really the
child Of peace do we deem 1t priv
ilege-aye. even a duty-to enter our
protest against the terrible conditions
now prevailing III Europe.
"Peace-Peace For Humanity"
1t is idle to presume that anything
that we can do here today will have
any material influence in the immedi-
ate settlement Of the greatest war In
history. involving more than half the
people Of the civilized world, but we
can raise our voices in earnest protest
against conditions in Europe too terri
BILE to contemplate in loss Of life. in the
destruction of property, In the suffer
ing of homeless women and children
and In the effect upon the world at
large. Commercial activity Is checked,
industries are paralyzed, civilization Is
being forced backward, human i'm
pulses are being supplanted by the bru-
tai practices Of war. The cries of the
innocent have sounded a call for relief,
and with dynamic force that call Is
generating a sentiment through the
length and breadth of this country for
peace. Every one seems sobered and
serious and determined. That one
word has taken on a new significance.
a new meaning-peace-peac for hu-
manity. peace to pursue the upward
and onward course OF civilization, peace
and rest and tranquility for the mil
Lions who suffer. suffering in spirit as