"What has this purchase meant to New York to have in this Union this great empire? What has it meant to the Union itself to have this splendid territory incorporated in it? It has meant for New York prosperity and increased commerce to the people of all our land and furnished homes for the sons and daughters of New York. The States carved out of that great Empire have all borne their share in the heat of our national life and they have contributed immeasurably to the nation's growth and development, and we have come in this country, notwithstanding the immense separation and diversity of interests, to work together under one flag, with one interest for a common country, and this great Exposition should teach not only us of the East but of all other sections of the country that we should avoid the danger of finding ourselves separate in sentiment from one another. In this great western empire we all take a common interest, and the success of this Exposition redounds to the credit and honor, not only of the men who have carried it to such successful issue, but upon the whole country. We all shine in the reflected glory of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, which shows the high-water mark of human progress. It is indeed the greatest of all international fairs and a lasting credit to the artistic skill of the men who planned and executed it. It is the culmination of all that has been done in the wide expanse of territory purchased from France in 1803, and the achievements of all nations in the world since that day. It is a far cry from the early oriental fairs in the East, which were perhaps the early ancestors of this great Exposition, and all honor and credit and glory is due the men who stood shoulder to shoulder in carrying this great enterprise to such a magnificent culmination. It represents American skill, American enterprise, American endeavor, and its influence will be felt upon this country long after those men who have played their successful part in this great moving drama have passed from earth. Words are inadequate to fittingly describe the beauties of this magnificent Exposition. It is individual effort as well as concerted effort which has brought about these splendid results. It is one of the brightest pages in American history, and what glorious memories a perusal of these pages arouse! We can turn the pages of recorded history from the time when the boats of the adventurous Genoese unfolded their white wings in the harbor of Palos and sped across the unknown seas to bring back upon their return evidence of the existence of a new world far across the wide waste of waters. In fancy we picture that sturdy band kneeling with Columbus, richly attired, upon the tropic sands, while over them floats the blood and gold banner of Spain, as the priest clothed in vestments of his office asks the blessings of Almighty God upon the land which Columbus claims in the name of the House of Castile.