T Views from the Pan-American Exposition THE PURPOSES OF THE EXPOSITION BY JOHN G. MILBURN, PRESIDENT OF THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION COMPANY REPRINTED FROM THE PAN-AMERICAN ART HAND-BOOK" HE act of Congress providing for a federal building and exhibit at the Pan-American Exposi tion states that it is desirable to encourage the holding of the Exposition to fittingly illustrate the marvelous development of the western hemisphere during the nineteenth century by a display of the arts, industries, manufactures, and products of the soil, mines, and sea." The joint resolution of Congress previously adopted declared that this development was to be illustrated by a "demonstration of the reciprocal relations existing between the American Republics and Colonies." In these declarations the real object of the Exposition was comprehensively explained at the The Electrical Tower outset, and it has been kept steadily in view. It is clearly revealed in every feature of the Expo ohn Gaylen Howard, Architect sition in the architectural scheme, suggestive of the history of so much of this hemisphere; in the restriction of the exhibits to its resources, industries, products, inventions, arts, and ideas;" and in the active participation of practically all of its peoples and countries. To have brought all of those peoples together for the first time in the accomplishment of such an object is the crowning achievement of the Exposition. Originating in this clear and definite conception, the scheme of the Exposition has been carefully and intelligently evolved. From the first there has been a firm determination that it should be commensurate in its scope, plan, dignity, and execution with the aim in view. That was the spirit of the commission to the men intrusted with its creation in all of its departThey ments. were left free to produce the best results, and it is under such conditions that they have produced them. They have received from the management the fullest sympathy and sup port at every turn. As a consequence there has been thorough co-operation and harmony in the elaboration and execution of the scheme of the Exposition -a scheme of impressive originality, Base of the Electrical Tower beauty, and completeness, probably unexcelled in the history of expositions. So much could not have been accomplished but for the association of the Exposition with a grand idea -the bringing closer together of the peoples of this hemisphere in their social, political, and commercial relations. That aspect of it has been the inspiration of the enterprise and the source of the enthusiasm which has carried it forward to conpletion. It is assured of per John Gaylen Howard, Architect manent results in the new and closer ties of amity, interest, and sympathy between those peoples which are bound to spring from it and to stamp it as an historical event. And in it is the fairest promise that the hope will be realized so nobly expressed in the inscription on the Propylæa, "that the century now begun may unite in the bonds of peace, knowledge, good-will, friendship, and noble emulation all the dwellers on the continents and islands of the New World." N the evolution through which man has passed from the time he lived in the forests, until he became an inhabitant of a brick-walled, stonepaved city, many things have been lost of which now but a memory remains-yet hardly a memory-rather a n unconscious haunting dream of some former state; a dream of the forest, with its great green arches overhead, echoing to the songs of birds, where the breezes sigh through the trees "the murmuring pines and the hemlocks" laden with the odors of balsams or fragrant with the scent of the woodflowers; and of the running stream which gladly sings in "rippled metre"to ears not yet dulled-of the peace in the depths of the forest, and of the joy of the open, "where the sunshine overlooks," of "silvan shades and mossy nooks," and of green fields through which it hurries on to the broad river, where blue sky colors it, and the sun glints its rippled surface "when the noonday shines" and when the day is done and the songs of the birds are hushed and the stars break through the sky, it reflects the glory of the rising moon, which with generous splendor transmutes it to molten silver. All these things the uncorrupted man in his heart still yearns for, though his horizon is circumscribed by walls of brick and his sky obscured by smoke. |