26 THE HISTORY OF THE CONGRESS 



man, and any progress in science that ignores or loses sight of his welfare and 

 happiness, however admirable and wonderful such progress may be, disturbs the 

 equilibrium of society. 



The tendency of the times toward centralization or unification is, from an 

 economic standpoint, a drifting in the right direction, but the piloting must be 

 done by skillful hands, under the supervision and control of far-seeing minds, who 

 will remember that the masses are human beings whose education and expanding 

 intelligence are constantly broadening and emphasizing their individuality. A 

 universal exposition affords to its visitors, and those who systematically study its 

 exhibits and its phases, an unequaled opportunity to view the general progress and 

 development of all countries and all races. Every line of human endeavor is here 

 represented. 



The conventions heretofore held on these grounds and many planned to be 

 held aggregating over three hundred have been confined in their delibera- 

 tions to special lines of thought or activity. This international congress of arts 

 and sciences is the most comprehensive in its plan and scope of any ever held, 

 and is the first of its kind. The lines of its organization, I shall leave the Director 

 of Exhibits, who is also a member of the administrative board of this congress, to 

 explain. You who are members are already advised as to its scope, and your 

 almost universal and prompt acceptance of the invitations extended to you to 

 participate, implies an approval which we appreciate, and indicates a willingness 

 and a desire to cooperate in an effort to bring into intelligent and beneficial corre- 

 lation all branches of science, all lines of thought. You need no argument to con- 

 vince you of the eminent fitness of making such a congress a prominent feature 

 of a universal exposition in which education is the dominant feature. 



The administrative board and the organizing committee have discharged their 

 onerous and responsible tasks with signal fidelity and ability, and the success that 

 has rewarded their efforts is a lasting monument to their wisdom. The manage- 

 ment of the Exposition tenders to them, collectively and individually, its grateful 

 acknowledgments. The membership in this congress represents the world's elect 

 in research and in thought. The participants were selected after a careful survey 

 of the entire field ; no limitations of national boundaries or racial affiliations 

 have been observed. The Universal Exposition of 1904, the city of St. Louis, 

 the Louisiana territory whose acquisition we are celebrating, the entire country, 

 and all participating in or visiting this Exposition are grateful for your coming, 

 and feel honored by your presence. 



We are proud to welcome you to a scene where are presented the best and high- 

 est material products of all countries and of every civilization, participated in by 

 all peoples, from the most primitive to the most highly cultured a marker in the 

 progress of the world, and of which the International Congress of Arts and Science 

 is the crowning feature. 



May the atmosphere of this universal exposition, charged as it is with the 

 restless energies of every phase of human activity and permeated by that ineffable 

 sentiment of universal brotherhood engendered by the intelligent sons of God, con- 

 gregating for the friendly rivalries of peace, inspire you with even higher thoughts 

 - imbue you with still broader sympathies, to the end that by your future labors 

 you may be still more helpful to the human race and place your fellow men under 

 yet deeper obligations. 



Director Frederick J. V. Skiff was then introduced by the Presi- 

 dent as representing the Division of Exhibits, whose untiring labors 

 had filled the magnificent Exposition palaces surrounding the Festival 

 Hall with the visible products of those sciences and arts, the theory, 



