E.EPOKT OF BOAED OF GeNKEAL ManAGEES. 163 



Conclusion. 



The great events in political history require the perspective of time 

 before their valuation can be justly made ; in like manner the influence 

 of this great indiistrial exposition cannot now be accurately estimated. 



But the enterprise which has made the name of Chicago familiar even 

 to the steppes of Asia and the jungles of Africa, cannot fail to be of 

 inestimable benefit to that city and to the country whose national cele- 

 bration she undertook. Companionship and intimacy beget coniidence, 

 and confidence begets trade, the source of national wealth. The friend- 

 ships begun at international gatherings are productive not only of 

 brisker trade and commerce, but often of international enterprises and 

 epoch-making projects. What is true of the nations is true, in the 

 same relative degree, of the States which compose our republic. Oppor- 

 tunities of comparison and personal examination further the develop- 

 ment of the highest industrial agencies, and open new channels of 

 exchange and profit. 



Probably the greatest commercial result achieved by the exposition 

 was the demonstration of the progress made by this country in manii- 

 factured articles ; notably silverware, furs, hats, potterjr, etc. The 

 palm has long been conceded to America for the invention and con- 

 struction of machinery, but it was a genuine surprise to most natives 

 and foreigners to find that the workmanship of American artisans could 

 compete with the skilled labor of Europe, perfected by centuries of 

 experience and inherited cunning. Whether it be due to the higher 

 average intelligence of the American workmen, their superior adapta- 

 bility to the conditions environing their craft, the inspiriting effect 

 of our free institutions or to still other causes must be left to economists. 

 The facts speak for themselves and are incontrovertible. 



The amount of commercial growth stimulated by the exposition is 

 an unknown quantity and a matter of speculation only. Much may 

 be attributed directly to it, but by far the greater share lies in the quiet 

 change of methods and the application of newly-acquired ideas and 

 hints, which will in time develop into an enormous increase of biisiness 

 and improvement of business relations. 



The artistic success of the fair was a deep gratification to the pride 

 of the American people. Never before had the attempt been made to 

 construct in symmetrical relation buildings covering 100 acres of 

 20 



