THE CENTRALIZATION OF THE CONGRESS 89 



nominations. There was indeed no doubt that such an historical ques- 

 tion would have to be raised if we were to live up to the commemora- 

 tive idea of the whole Fair. And yet it seemed still more certain that 

 the retrospective problem did not justify itself as a central topic for a 

 World's Congress. There were sciences for which the story of the last 

 hundred years was merely the last chapter of a history of three thou- 

 sand years and other sciences whose life history did not begin until 

 one or two decades ago. It would thus be a very external uniformity; 

 the question would have a very different meaning for the various 

 branches of knowledge, and the treatment would be of very unequal 

 interest and importance. More than that, it would not abolish the 

 unrelated character of the endeavors; while the same topic might 

 be given everywhere, yet every science would remain isolated; there 

 would be no internal unity, and thus no inner reason for bringing 

 together the best workers of all spheres. And finally the mere retro- 

 spective attitude brings with it the depressing mood of perfunctory 

 activity. Certainly to look back on the advance of a century can be 

 most suggestive for a better understanding of the way which lies 

 before us; and we felt indeed that the occasion for such a back- 

 ward glance ought not to be missed. Yet there would be something 

 lifeless if the whole meeting were devoted to the consideration of work 

 that had been completed; a kind of necrological sentiment would 

 pervade the whole ceremony, while our chief aim was to serve the 

 progress of knowledge and thus to stimulate living interests. 



This language of life spoke indeed in the programme of another 

 plan which seemed also to be suggested by the character of the 

 Exposition. The St. Louis Fair desired not merely to look backward 

 and to revive the historical interest in the Louisiana Purchase, 

 but its first aim seemed to be to bring into sharp relief the factors 

 which serve to-day the practical welfare and the achievements of 

 human society. If all the scholars of all sciences were to convene 

 under one flag, would it not thus seem most harmonious with the 

 occasion, if, as the one controlling topic, the question were proposed, 

 " What does your science contribute to the practical progress of man- 

 kind? " No one can deny that such a formulation would fit in well 

 with the lingering thoughts of every World's Fair visitor. Whoever 

 wanders through the aisles of exhibition palaces and sees amassed the 

 marvelous achievements of industry and commerce, and the thousand 

 practical arts of modern society, may indeed turn most naturally to 

 a gathering of scholars with the question, " What have you to offer 

 of similar import? " All your thinking and speaking and writing, are 

 they merely words on words, or do you also turn the wheels of this 

 gigantic civilization? 



Such a question would give a noble opening indeed to almost every 

 science. Who would say that the opportunity is confined to the man of 



