, will be surpassed and distanced by the new century
upon which we have entered if the material potentialities and
the intellectual faculties of mankind can be utilized and
trained toward a common end, and that end the uplifting of the
human race and the promotion of its happiness.

Concomitant with industrial progress is social development. The
policy of engaging in foreign wars in order to prevent or to
pacify domestic unrest may have been wise if not humane, but the
time for such a policy has passed. That government is strongest
whose subjects are intelligent and contented. Contentment
follows the employment of intellectual faculties, in the
development of natural resources, and in the production of those
activities that result in greater comforts of living and higher
planes of thought. The bringing together in a Universal
Exposition of the best that all civilized countries have
produced, opens to all who participate new lines of thought,
better methods and better appliances, and, therefore, conduces
to the material benefit of every country participating. It
promotes universal economy of human endeavor by enabling the
countries taking part to determine through a comparison of their
exhibits the lines in which they can produce the best results.

The economy of the world for saving time and energy by the
adaptation of physical and intellectual forces to pursuits in
which they are most effective, is a profitable study for
nations, as it is for individuals. Hand in hand, however, with
such occupation should go the cultivation of the taste for the
beautiful, and an abounding conviction that man is his brother's
keeper and has an inalienable obligation to better the condition
of his fellows.

The International Exposition whose dedication you honor by your
presence, was conceived in an effort to commemorate a great
achievement which has proven a potent factor in increasing our
wealth and sustaining our institutions and perpetuating our
independence.

The interest manifested by the governments and people whom you
represent in pledges of participating has been encouraging and
helpful in the highest degree, and we are glad of the
opportunity to express our deep gratitude. Your coming enables
us to show you the scope of the undertaking we have launched.
Our plans are a