REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAt. 93 



Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Congress has been assembled 

 in this solemn general session to-night, outside of its regular program, so 

 that we could have the honor of hearing the ever-enlightening and eloquent 

 word of the eminent Executive of this great Republic; and certainly his 

 words to us on this occasion will impart a new stimulus to our efforts 

 for the successful crowning of the work in which we are engaged. 



It is neither discreet nor, perhaps, in good taste for me to dwell — not 

 even by way of introducing a personage who does not have to be intro- 

 duced — upon the qualities that reveal the intellectual and political figure 

 in whose honor we are congregated; but, at least, I may be allowed to 

 remind you that there is a special tie of union between this excelling indi- 

 vidual and the intellectual collectivity constituting this scientific con- 

 gress. That tie, perhaps more binding than that emanating from his 

 present supreme position in the government of his country, is the aggre- 

 gate of wonderful pages of political science and sound philosophy written 

 by this illustrious thinker; it is the reminder of a great work in the forma- 

 tion and successful management of one of the most influential intellec- 

 tual centers in the United States; it is, in fine, a common purpose with 

 the men of this congress in love of study and of scientific research. 



Side by side with the thinker stands the statesman who has radically 

 changed the nature of the relations among the peoples in this continent, 

 and has built an American international policy of mutual esteem and 

 cooperation at these very moments praised and applauded by the whole 

 continent. 



It is not the first time that, from the august chair to which he has 

 been elevated by the love and respect of his fellow citizens, the President 

 of the United States — ^now in our midst — appeals to the sentiments of 

 the American countries in behalf of the welfare and progress of our 

 Americas. The strengthening of constitutional government throughout 

 all nations in the continent, the vigor and purity of our democracies, and 

 the mutual cooperation for defense of our national rights and privileges 

 have been the salient features of his continental policy. And when the 

 moment came of showing with deeds the absolute sincerity of his frater- 

 nal purposes, as was the case in the unfortunate circumstances which 

 gave rise to the mediation of Niagara Falls, he has without any hesita- 

 tion whatever placed his authority and his influence on the side of peace 

 and love among the sister nations. 



It has not been possible for me to refrain from making these brief and 

 broad remarks in introducing the great speaker, of whose modesty I 

 crave forgiveness; and, as I do not want to deprive you any longer of the 



