Eepoet of Board of General Managers. 51 



So New York from the first has been to the front, and if the ceremonies 

 of this week are to be remembered more for one thing than for another, 

 it will be from the fact that the marvelous orator from New York raised 

 his voice to the delivery of the Columbian oration. Mr. President, Gov. 

 Flower, Ladies, Gentlemen, my duties are very slight. The director- 

 general regrets extremely his inability to be here. Nothing but an 

 important summons from a national body of which he is an officer would 

 have prevented him from taking his part in the programme. 



In his name, by his authority, I have the honor to accept this beautiful 

 building on behalf of the exposition company; and in the name of Chicago, 

 of the exposition company, of the National Commission, I promise co-opera- 

 tion to the fullest extent in keeping it inviolate to the great purpose to 

 which it is to be devoted. 



Addeess of Gov. Roswell P. Flowee. 

 Mr. Chairman, and Fellow-citizens of New York and Illinois ; 



On behalf of the citizens of New York, I am here to-day, with other 

 civil and military officers of our State, to give formal expression to the 

 interest which our people feel in this national undertaking, and to dedicate 

 the beautiful structure which her munificence has contributed to the 

 architecture of this exposition. 



I consider it a proud honor that, as Executive of the greatest State in 

 the "Union, I am perm.itted at this Columbian anniversary to bear her 

 message of greeting and good-speed to the promoters of so praiseworthy 

 a national celebration. As chief participant among the States in the 

 material and intellectual advantages which Columbus' discovery gave to 

 civilization. New York should be, and is, the gladdest participant in this 

 exhibition of the New "World's marvelous growth and development 

 during four centuries. So interested was she in its success that she 

 struggled hard for permission to hold the exposition within the borders of 

 her own territory, but, though she failed in that, her interest is none the 

 less intense, and, with the unselfishness of true patriotism, she is joining 

 hands with Illinois in a noble endeavor by this undertaking to promote 

 the glory and prosperity of our common country. We trust that the 

 representation which her government and her citizens will have upon 

 these grounds will vividly illustrate the story of New York's proud growth 

 and add new lustre to her recognized supremacy. 



The earliest settlement by white men, within the limits of what is now 

 the State of New York, was a trading post at the southern end of Man- 

 hattan Island. From that begianing has grown the greatest city of the 

 continent, and the site of the first rude log cabin, built by adventurous 



