exposition of and for the world.

Gentlemen, our visitors and our friends, in this temple of
peace, dedicated to the progress of man, your presence is
significant of the friendliness to us and toward each other of
the nations of the world. May we not hope that in the electric
splendor of the twentieth century there will come to all peoples
a living exemplification of the words of the Master, "Peace on
earth, good will toward men."

Third. Greeting to the representatives of foreign governments, from the
Universal Exposition of 1904, by Hon. David R. Francis, president of the
Exposition Company:

The Universal Exposition of 1904 extends a cordial greeting to
the distinguished representatives of foreign countries who favor
us with their presence on this memorable occasion.

An assembling of envoys of organized governments, however
limited in their number and whatever its object may be, is
characteristic of a high civilization; but when that convening
is as general in its character as this, it indicates marked
progress in the establishment of a better understanding between
interests and policies long antagonistic and at variance.

And when the object of such a meeting is, as in this case, to
establish and cement friendly relations between people who
differ in form of government, in religion, and in race, it means
a distinct step toward the organization of a parliament, an
accomplishment worthy of highest endeavor, because its
consummation would result in universal peace.

When the civilized nations of the earth meet in friendly
rivalry, their better acquaintance engenders increased respect.
The closer commercial relations that follow are conducive to
mutual benefit. They efface prejudice, they broaden sympathies,
they deepen and widen the foundations of human progress.

The civilization of past ages would have experienced no
overthrows if they had been based on intelligence of the masses
and had been imbued with broader humanity which distinguishes
and ennobles the fraternal spirit of the twentieth century.

The cycle of one hundred years, whose close we have just passed,
incomparable as it was in the discovery and the invention and
the application of forces and methods in the physical world, and
remarkable as it was for an advancement in every line of thought
and research