The period of exclusiveness is past.  The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem.  Commercial wars are unprofitable.  A policy of good will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals.  Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the times; measures of retaliation are not.  If, perchance, some of our tariffs are no longer needed for revenue or to encourage and protect our industries at home, why should they not be employed to extend and promote our markets abroad?  Then, too, we have inadequate steamship service.  New lines of steamships have already been put in commission between the Pacific coast ports of the United States and those on the western coasts of Mexico and Central and South America.  These should be followed up with direct steamship lines between the western coast of the United States and South American ports.  One of the needs of the times is direct commercial lines from our vast fields of production to the fields of consumption that we have but barely touched.  Next in advantage to having the thing to sell is to have the conveyance to carry it to the buyer.  We must encourage our merchant marine.  We must have more ships.  They must be under the American flag; built and manned and owned by Americans.  These will not only be profitable in a commercial sense; they will be messengers of peace and amity wherever they go.

We must build the Isthmian canal, which will unite the two oceans and give a straight line of water communication with the western coasts of Central and South America and Mexico.  The construction of a Pacific cable can not be longer postponed.  In the furtherance of these objects of national interest and concern you are performing an important part.  This Exposition would have touched the heart of that American statesman whose mind was ever alert and thought ever constant for a larger commerce and a truer fraternity of the republics of the New World.  His broad American spirit is felt and manifested here.  He needs no identification to an assemblage of Americans anywhere, for the name of Blaine is inseparably associated with the Pan-American movement which finds here practical and substantial expression, and which we all hope will be firmly advanced by the Pan-American Congress that assembles this autumn in the capital of Mexico.  The good work will go on.  It can not be stopped.  Those buildings will disappear; this creation of art and beauty and industry will perish from sight, but their influence will remain to “make it live beyond its too short living with praises and thanksgiving.”  Who can tell the new thoughts that have been awakened, the ambitions fired and the high achievements that will be wrought through this Exposition?

Gentlemen, let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.  We hope that all who are represented here may be moved to higher and nobler efforts for their own and the world’s good, and that out of this city may come not only greater commerce and trade for us all, but, more essential than these, relations of mutual respect, confidence and friendship which will deepen and endure.  Our earnest prayer is that God will graciously vouchsafe prosperity, happiness and peace to all our neighbors, and like blessings to all the peoples and powers of earth.