No. 273.
Mr. White
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Berlin, April 26, 1880.
(Received May 13.)
No. 115.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
Fishery Exhibition was opened on the 20th instant by the Crown Prince of the
German Empire; the ministers, the diplomatic corps, and a very large number
of leading persons in Germany, and the commissioners of other states being
present. After the formal ceremonies, which consisted of addresses to the
Prince as patron, by the minister of agriculture, Dr. Lucius, and Mr. von
Behr, the president of the Fishery Exhibition committee, the Prince declared
the exhibition open, and, with the principal personages present, made the
tour of the various departments. I had the honor to receive him at the
American rooms, and to present to him the deputy commissioner, and to go
with them through our part of the exhibition.
The Prince and all present were greatly astonished and pleased at the extent
and variety of the American products, and although but little time could be
given in such a rapid survey, he declared his intent of coming again and
making a more careful study of the exhibition, saying that he had already
looked it over with considerable care at a visit before the opening
ceremonies. I think it is generally acknowledged that the United States have
done themselves great credit.
There is certainly no exhibit which surpasses ours. Indeed, I may say that in
very many respects there is none which equals it. It has more than fulfilled
the most sanguine expectations.
On Thursday, the 22d instant, the Emperor and Empress, in the course of a
visit to the exhibition, expressed their admiration of the American
department, and in several instances since, it has come to my knowledge that
they, as well as other leading personages, have complimented our country on
what it has sent.
On Friday evening, the 23d instant, there was a reception, by the
burgomeister and city authorities, of the foreign ministers, the
commissioners, and the members of the fishery association, under whose
general direction the exhibition has been made. It was a very brilliant
gathering, all the great rooms in the city hall, one of the largest and
finest edifices in Europe, being thrown open and adorned for the occasion.
At the request of the president of the exhibition committee, I responded on
behalf of the United States. I inclose a copy of the speech, * * * from the
National Zeitung.
I may say in conclusion that all my expectations as to credit to be obtained
by our country, and the good feeling which our participation in the
exhibition would promote, have been more than realized.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 115.]
Report of speech of Mr. White.
Mr. President, Mr. Burgomeister, and Gentlemen: In the name of the American
commission, permit me to thank yon most sincerely for this kind
recognition and reception. At the same time, I would congratulate the
entire fishery association upon the beauty and extent of the Fishery
Exhibition and upon the great success which has already attended it.
That it will be of great value to the German nation I cannot doubt; and
I also fully believe that it will stimulate and improve the industry
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of all nations which shall be
represented here. It has been the fashion of late years somewhat to
depreciate the value of international exhibitions of various kinds. I
believe that this is merely a temporary reaction. In spite of the wise
and witty things which have been said against them, I fully believe in
their great value. From the first great exhibition, established and
carried through at London in 1851 by the lamented Prince Albert, with so
much care, energy, and self-devotion, down to this last, I believe that
all have resulted in great good, not merely from an industrial but also
from a political and social point of view.
What these collections of men from all parts of the world do for industry
is easily seen, but I believe that they work not less effectually for
good upon the general political relations of the competing nations. Men
come together from various races and lands, compare their ideas, form
acquaintances, and these ripen into friendships, which really do much to
keep the minds of leading men in different states in peaceful
channels.
This is no mere theory of mine; I may say it is the practical result of
my own experience as commissioner from the United States to the last two
great international exhibitions. Of course I cannot pretend that such
exhibitions frequently prevent war, but I believe that on the whole they
more and more tend to diminish the number of wars, to shorten their
duration, and to limit their cruelty.
The president has kindly spoken of the services rendered by the United
States at the present exhibition. I take pleasure in acknowledging here
that what has been done by the American Government and people is but a
very small return for favors received, and indicates in a very slight
degree the gratitude of all thinking men in America towards the German
Fatherland.
So far as industrial matters are concerned, Germany has given to America
a very large number, thousands upon thousands indeed, of our most sturdy
and valuable workingmen. In the domain of science and art you have also
sent us many noble men and excellent ideas; and I may mention here that,
having recently received reports from the various consuls of the United
States in Germany upon the subject, I am enabled to say at this moment
there are more than a thousand American students in various German
universities and conservatories. All this is working powerfully upon our
entire American plan of higher education to bring us out of the old
semi-monastic colonial system.
In social matters, too, the German-American citizens have exercised an
influence which has modified American life for good. You have heard
much, doubtless, of the American chase for the “Almighty Dollar.” Of
course, in the present phase of American development, great energy in
industrial matters is naturally necessary; but I am glad to say that
German kindliness and love of art and social enjoyment have done much to
modify this too strong material tendency, and I may mention here also
that the German influence has wrought with great power against the
heaviest social curse of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is by no means a
trivial thing that the Germans are teaching the Americans more and more
to consume light and good German beer in a sensible way instead of
brandy and whisky in the wild manner formerly so common among us.
In political relations, also, the Germans have given us many leading men
in thought and action, and I may mention that one of the most honored of
all, a leader in American thought for the past twenty years, and to-day
one of the most important members of the present ministry, was born in
Germany, and studied in the university of Berlin.
And here, at least, I feel that I ought to acknowledge what is, perhaps,
the greatest service which Germany has rendered my country. During the
last twenty years the United States has passed through three terribly
severe periods. The first was the struggle against slavery, and in this
the Germans in America, almost without exception, threw their entire
influence against the slave power. The second period was that of the
civil war for the unity, and even for the very existence of the nation;
and here, also, the Germans showed themselves always brave and patriotic
for the good cause. The third period, through which we have very
recently passed, has been the struggle between common sense and unreason
in financial administration, the struggle for an honest and good
currency and fair payment of debts, against unlimited issues of paper
and the payment of debts in depreciated currency; and here, to the
victory which has been won, the Germans have largely contributed; here,
too, they have constantly stood up or the honor of their adopted
country.
You see, then, gentlemen, that whatever we may have done here, we remain
largely your debtors, and it will always be to the Government and people
of the United States a pleasure and an honor to stand by the side of the
German Empire, and to work for the elevation of industry and for the
extension of civilization.
