republic. New York will be more powerful by reason of your greatness.
Your increasing productions will contribute to our commercial prestige
more and more as the years roll on to make our metropolis continue to be
the greatest seaport on this continent for all time.

"We share your glory in more ways than this, too. Many of the sturdy men
and women who have settled within the confines of this great region were
native New Yorkers. Our blood has been mingled with yours and our
children are first cousins of yours. New York gave to you because she
could spare and you accepted of us because you wanted the best you could
find.

"New York then bids the people of this section All Hail! We are with you
heart and soul to make the Exposition a magnificent success. New York
has never failed when a patriotic effort was demanded and as ever before
she will now respond with enthusiasm and will do everything possible
here to sustain her imperial position.

"Let us hope that the Exposition will accomplish all that is intended.
Let our prayer be that all Americans who pass within the gates when all
shall be made ready for the opening of this Exposition in 1904, will
cherish a higher ambition and a greater love of country and be impelled
to declare with the poet, that

"'There is a land of every land the pride,
Beloved of Heaven, o'er all the world beside,
where brighter suns dispense serener light,
And milder moons imparadise the night.
Oh, thou shalt find howe'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country and that spot thy home.'"