"New York is here to-day by its official representatives to testify first to its loyalty to the purposes for which this Exposition was conceived; to show the people of the West that in their progress we are interested, and that to them we look for such returns in dividends upon the stock of patriotism as will give to our nation men of energy, of right impulses. To you we owe much, and from you we expect much. Our efforts will be to aid you in every laudable undertaking, to stand behind you in all that means the prosperity of our common country. You have here an Exposition of which you may be justly proud. Nothing like it has ever been known in the annals of the world. Skilled workmen from all parts of the earth are here to aid in its success. Here you witness not only the steady progress that has been made in the sciences, the arts, and agriculture, but you have before you also exhibits from some of the possessions which have recently come under our control. We may study here some of the problems which demand solution at the hands of the American people. Our flag has been planted in a far-off land, and we must face responsibilities which it would be cowardly to shirk. A message has come to us as to all other nations, to do the Master's bidding and to spread christianity and civilization into the remotest parts of the earth. To us have been intrusted duties that have cost us the blood of some of the bravest men of the north and of the south, of the east and west. Here we may see something of that which has been accomplished, as well as a presentation of those conditions which it is our duty to correct. It is our privilege to give to others the same liberty which we enjoy ourselves, to establish some form of government such as ours whenever these people are ready for it, and it is our duty to protect them in their weakness until they are prepared for it. It was the dream of our forefathers that our country should be confined between these two magnificent oceans, but despite these hopes in later years additional responsibilities have come, Which the American people are too proud to shirk and too courageous to abandon. There is no one who has seen the progress which is here represented who does not believe that the work for civilization which is ours to perform has already had such an impetus that the time will come when we shall bless those who had the courage to stand for it against those who demanded another solution of this important question. To our credit be it said, that no true American demands the surrender of these possessions, and that the only question of difference between the people of our country is whether they shall be given their independence now, or when they are in a condition to enjoy it.