dwellers did not Hesitate to use the ocean itself to pro- 

 tect it against invaders, and which now makes us 

 marvel at the amount of erudition compressed within 

 its little area ; from the nation across the Pacific, which, 

 by half a century of unequaled progress in the arts of 

 life, has made an important contribution to evolution- 

 ary science through demonstrating the falsity of the 

 theory that the most ancient races are doomed to be 

 left in the rear of the advancing age in a word, from 

 every great center of intellectual activity on the globe 

 I see before me eminent representatives of that world- 

 advance in knowledge which we have met to celebrate. 

 May we not confidently hope that the discussions of 

 such an assemblage will prove pregnant of a future for 

 science which shall outshine even its brilliant past. 



Gentlemen and scholars all ! You do not visit 

 our shores to find great collections in which centuries 

 of humanity have given expression on canvas and in 

 marble to their hopes, fears and aspirations. Nor do 

 you expect institutions and buildings hoary with age. 

 But as you feel the vigor latent in the fresh air of 

 these expansive prairies, which has collected the 

 products of human genius by which we are here sur- 

 rounded, and, I may add, brought us together; as you 

 study the institutions which we have founded for the 

 benefit, not only of our own people, but of humanity at 

 large; as you meet the men who, in the short space of 

 one century, have transformed this valley from a 

 savage wilderness into what it is today then may you 

 find compensation for the want of a past like yours by 

 seeing with prophetic eye a future world-power of which 

 this region shall be the seat. If such is to be the 



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