fail; and if, as I believe we surely shall, we develop these
qualities in the future to an even greater degree than in the
past, then in the century now beginning we shall make of this
Republic the freest and most orderly, the most just and most
mighty nation which has ever come forth from the womb of time.

Sixth. Grand chorus: "Unfold Ye Portals."

Seventh. Address by Hon. Grover Cleveland:

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: The impressiveness of this
occasion is greatly enhanced by reason of an atmosphere of
prophecy's fulfillment which surrounds it. The thought is in our
minds that we are amid awe-inspiring surroundings, where we may
see and feel things foretold a century ago. We are here in
recognition of the one hundredth anniversary of an event which
doubled the area of the young American nation, and dedicated a
new and wide domain of American progress and achievement. The
treaty whose completion we to-day commemorate was itself a
prophecy of our youthful nation's mighty growth and development.
At its birth prophets in waiting joyously foretold the happiness
which its future promised. He who was the chief actor in the
United States in its negotiations, as he signed the perfected
instrument, thus declared its effect and far-reaching
consequences: "The instrument which we have just signed will
cause no tears to be shed. It prepares ages of happiness for
innumerable generations of human creatures. The Mississippi and
the Missouri will see them succeed one another, truly worthy of
the regard and care of Providence in the bosom of equality under
just laws, freed from the errors of superstition and the
scourges of bad government."

He who represented the nation with whom we negotiated, when he
afterwards gave to the world his account of the transactions,
declared: "The consequences of the cession of Louisiana will
extend to the most distant posterity. It interests vast regions
that will become by their civilization and power the rivals of
Europe before another century commences," and warmed to
enthusiasm by the developments already in view and greater ones
promised, he added: "Who can contemplate without vivid emotion
this spectacle of the happiness of the present generation and
the certain pledges of the prosperity of numberless generations
that will follow? At th