folds manifold blessings are carried to the people of those islands lying in the purple spheres of summer seas. While the drum of all American progress is heard around the world, it too may be truthfully said that the sun never sets upon the soil over which Freedom's banner proudly floats, for when the light of the dying day is fading from Porto Rican hills the golden rays of the morning sun are reflected upon the shimmering folds of Old Glory on the gray old battlements of Manila. "It is indeed inspiring, the history of this great nation, guided to its ultimate issue as a stately ship is wafted over the seas to the harbor of its destination. I wonder if in this ceaseless struggle for gold and gain we pause long enough to study the true character of those men to whose valorous deeds we owe so much, those men who planted the tree of human liberty so deep that even the shock of revolution of succeeding wars could not uproot it, those men who demanded of Jefferson a free Mississippi and who made this Exposition possible. All honor to those heroes who stood shoulder to shoulder in the days which tried men's souls, who, in the gloom and suffering of Valley Forge, saw in the distance the rainbow of hope shining over the dark clouds of defeat. They saw the light of a great nation which would serve as a beacon in the world progress and a refuge for the persecuted of the nations of earth. All races contributed to the founding of this beloved country. The roster of the Revolution is filled with names which show that the liberty loving of all European nations gave up a generous offering of blood on Freedom's altar. In our veins courses blood of all nations, and it is the healthy commingling of that blood which has produced a race of world conquerors. It has produced the men who have made possible this great Exposition. We have been placed in the world's crucible, have been melted in the glowing heat of a nascent life, and have been forged into a weapon which shall carve the world. Our ideals are worthy, the hopes and aspirations of the nation devoted to justice and love; ideals which shall be the steadfast inspirer of nations and individuals to uprightness, to justice and to honor." The presiding officer then expressed regret at the unavoidable absence of President Francis on account of bereavement in his family. He introduced judge Franklin Ferriss, General Counsel to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company, who delivered the following address: ADDRESS OF JUDGE FERRISS "I regret extremely, for your sake and his, that the brilliant man who stands at the head of this Exposition cannot be here to-day to greet you in person. Still I must admit that I am not unmindful of the fact that I owe to his misfortune and yours the very great privilege of appearing before you to extend a welcome to the people of my native State.