A keynote of tolerance and harmony between peoples was struck today as the New York World’s Fair, largest international exposition ever held, opened its doors to the first contingent of the 25,000,000 persons expected to visit the grounds in the next six months.
President Roosevelt, Governor Herbert H. Lehman, Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia and others who spoke at the various opening day ceremonies dwelled on the theme of amity among races and nationalities which was exemplified in the Fair.
The President, in an address officially opening the exposition, paid tribute to the “spirit of wise tolerance which, with few exceptions, has been the rule” in the United States. He spoke to thousands of persons gathered in Constitution Mall before the Federal Building and was surrounded on the speakers’ platform by representatives of Federal, State and City governments.
“We in the United States, and, indeed, in all the Americas, — North, Central and South America — remember that our population stems from many races and kindreds and tongues,” Mr. Roosevelt declared. “Often I think Americans offer up the silent prayer that on the continent of Europe, from which the American hemisphere was principally colonized, the years to come will break down many barriers of intercourse between nations — barriers which may be historic, but which so greatly, through the centuries, have led to strife and hindered friendship and normal intercourse.
“The United States stands today as a completely homogeneous nation, similar in its civilization from coast to coast and from North to South, united in a common purpose to work for the greatest good of the greatest number, united in the desire to move forward to better things in the use of its great resources of intelligent, educated manhood and womanhood — and united in its desire to encourage peace and good-will among all the nations of the world.”
The President made no direct reference to the strained relations with Germany, but many saw significance in his expression of thanks for the “general” and “spontaneous” participation in the Fair of “most of the nations of the world” which he described as a “gesture of friendship and good-will towards the United States.” Germany is the outstanding non-participant in the fair.
Governor Lehman, stressing “tolerance and good-will,” expressed the hope that the fair would point the way to “build a world in which men of all nations, all races and all creeds will seek to help their neighbors, not to harm them.” Mayor LaGuardia asserted that the greatest exhibit at the Fair was the fact that “seven and a half million people coming from every land, and their children, live here in peace and harmony.” Saying “we claim no secret formula” for this amity, the Mayor voiced the hope that “others may copy it.” He also stressed the necessity of “eliminating artificial stimulation of hatred.”
Later in the afternoon, Governor Lehman, in an address at the unveiling of a statue of George Washington, for a third time struck the keynote of tolerance. “Let us then, in dedicating this statue, dedicate ourselves also to the principles for which George Washington fought and by which he lived,” the Governor said. “Those principles — loyalty, justice, tolerance and liberty — are just as true a way of life as they were 150 years ago.”
Mr. Lehman’s first address of the day was at a ceremony dedicating the Temple of Religion, when he warned that “an attack on one religion weakens all religious faith since the basis of all true religions is charity, justice and tolerance.” He asserted that “the fight against those who would destroy religion and spirituality is a common fight of all churches. If men will only live up to those simple concepts of all religions — charity, justice and tolerance — democracy will be safe.”
Grover Whalen, president of the Fair corporation, asserted that the cooperation of Catholics, Jews and Protestants in providing the Temple “typify and lend emphasis to the brotherly spirit in which the exposition itself has been created. Surely we may call it a sign of progress in human relationship. Here we are united in our aims and our philosophies. Surely this edifice is a sign that doctrines of hate need not prevail in the world, and that, removed from fear, we may work together with increased vigor for the happier moments and finer things of life.”
Catholic, Jewish and Protestant spokesmen emphasized the essential harmony of religions. They were Monsignor John J. Clarke, Rabbi David de Sola Pool, president of the Synagogue Council of America, and the Rev. Robert W. Searle, general secretary of the Greater New York Federation of Churches. Other speakers were William Church Osborn, president of the Temple of Religion, who presided, and the Right. Rev. J.I. Blair Larned.
Tonight, Prof. Albert Einstein, in a speech at the “illumination ceremony,” which was performed with the aid of cosmic rays, pointed out that one of the pioneer physicists in the work on cosmic rays was “Professor Victor Hess of Austria, who, incidentally, like so many others, has recently had to seek refuge in this hospitable country.”
Eight sturdy Palestine Chalutzim, garbed in the sun helmets and khaki of the pioneer colony, marched in the parade preceding the opening ceremonies, together with representatives of many nationalities in their colorful national dress.
In a written message to the directorate of the Jewish Palestine Pavilion, which is scheduled to open May 15, President Roosevelt declared that Zionist achievements had brought prosperity to all the inhabitants of Palestine. He concluded with a promise personally to follow the progress of Palestine with the deepest sympathy.
The “Eternal Light” which will burn in the pavilion has arrived here from Jerusalem and is being kept in Congregation Shearith Israel until it can be placed in the pavilion.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
