EXPOSITION, NATIONAL EXPORT. 



The purpose of this exposition is to show the 

 foreign consumer what the American can make, 

 and how cheaply and how well he can make it." 

 (Jov. Stone, in behalf of the State, then accepted 

 the exposition, and handed it over to the mayor 

 of Philadelphia, saying in part: ''We are selling 

 our goods in every country on the globe, for the 

 reason, and the only reason, that we sell a better 

 article for less money than any other country 

 can sell. The time has come for us to hoist our 

 (lag and proclaim it to the world, and that is 

 the purpose of this exhibition. We invite the 

 world's buyers to be the judge. We want the 

 world's trade, and our demand is supported alone 



tion of your most sanguine hopes of the success 

 and influence of this undertaking." This con- 

 cluded the exercises. 



Exhibits. As indicated by the scope of the 

 exposition, the exhibits were, confined for the 

 most part to those American products for which 

 a market is sought in foreign countries electric 

 devices, food products, new articles, and other 

 things in the manufacture of which the United 

 States excels. Of all these the exhibits were of 

 decided interest. The American varieties of auto- 

 mobiles attracted considerable attention. Of con- 

 spicuous importance was the special collection of 

 articles gathered for the exposition. Side by side 







THE ESPLANADE ON OPENING DAY. 



by the merits of our products." Mayor Ash- 

 bridge then accepted the exposition from the 

 Governor, and then Congressman William P. 

 Hepburn, of Iowa, chairman of the House Com- 

 mittee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, de- 

 livered an address. The benediction was pro- 

 nounced by Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, 

 and at its conclusion a telegraph instrument was 

 moved to the front of the stage and communi- 

 cation was obtained with the White House in 

 Washington. First Vice-President Foulkrod in- 

 formed President McKinley that the exposition 

 was ready to be declared open. The President 

 at once sent the following message: "The open- 

 ing of the National Export Exposition marks 

 another important and most gratifying advance 

 in the extension of our trade and commerce, and 

 the promotion of more cordial relations in these 

 with other nations. Accept for your- 

 d your associates my hearty congratula- 

 tions and best wishes for the abundant realiza- 



were shown, for example, the various forms of 

 head gear worn in different parts of the world. 

 Each display of this character was marked with 

 a card showing where it was made, the cost of 

 production, and the selling price. By a study of 

 such samples a cloth manufacturer, for instance, 

 could see at once what styles and qualities of 

 print cloth are desired in the Philippines, and 

 whether they are sold there at a price that he can 

 meet in competition. This feature of the exposi- 

 tion was unique, and commanded much attention. 

 Commercial Congress. This was convened 

 on Oct. 12, and was opened by former Senator 

 George F. Edmunds, representing the trustees of 

 the Commercial Museum. He introduced the 

 Hon. David J. Hill, Assistant Secretary of State, 

 who, in behalf of President McKinley, extended 

 to all the delegates assembled, and to all the 

 foreign representatives who participated in the 

 conference, the most cordial welcome of the 

 United States. Subsequently addresses were 



