134 Tra.xsactioxs of the American Institute. 



time ; and I don't forget that I speak in the presence of at least oi>e 

 very eminent improver of tlie loom. I believe that we are to exhibit 

 specimens of products in iron and steel not yet accepted, not yet 

 realized, bnt fully assured — inventions which will be on exhibition 

 here in the Institute. So you will find in the sewing machine 

 improvements on the past that have not been hitlierto presented for 

 your criticism ; and so in Qxery department their are novelties of 

 idea and of plans ; improvements and simplifications of processes. 

 Thus it will be seen that industrial advancement is no work of gigan- 

 tic strides before steady perseverance, never retreating in its steps, 

 continually progressing through continual efibrts. Such is the law 

 of human advancement, and such, I trust, will be fully exemplified 

 in the exhibition whicli we present for your scrutiny this evening- 

 Let us hope and trust that the difficulty of location, which we have 

 been unable to surmount, will not deprive us of the generous appre- 

 ciation and enthusiastic support of the working men and women of 

 New York ; that the friends of labor and the devotees of labor will 

 recognize that this is their anniversary, that our triumphs are their 

 triumphs, and that every blow struck at obstacles, everything which 

 makes it a little easier to achieve some result in industry, in produc- 

 tion, is a blow struck for every man who lives by labor, and a blow 

 which promises ampler food and better clothing for the generation 

 that is and the generation to come after. Friends and neighbors the 

 fair is now open. 



