New-York tribune., 1878-05-02
THE OPENING CEREMONIES.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
PRESIDENT IMAGINATION RECEIVED WITH GREAT
HoNOR-A GRACEFUL AND MANLY ADDRESS
MADE by THE MINISTER OF CoMMERCE-MARKED
ATTENTION. SHOWN To TIE AMERICAN DEPART
MEST.
PARIS, Wednesday May l, 1879.
The formal opening of the international EXhibi-
tion of 1873, took place to-day, and was attended
with complete success. The morning was rainy,
and fears were expressed that the ceremony would
be marrcd by unfavorablc weather At 10 o'clock,
however the rain ceased, and about an hour later
the clouds had broken and tlr sun shone brilliantly
Showers altcrnated later in the day, but did not
interfere with the success of the opening cere-
monies, which began at half-past two in the after
noon. The crowd which had then assembled was
immense. The people We're very enthusiastic, and
cries were heard everywhere of "Niye la Repnb-
hque and ViVc Ia France
TIE FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES, ARRIVE.
Prior to the arrival Of President MacMahon at the
Exhibition, several persons of distinction came to
the vcstibue of the TrocadGro accompanied by mill
tary escorts. aud wee received by VI. TelsscTen
dc Bort the Minister OF Agriculture and Commerce.
Among these were the Presidents Of the Senate and
Chamber OF Deputies, the Prince of Wales tine
Crown Prince of Denmark Prince Amadeus of Italy,
Prince Henry of Holland the Priuce Of Orange, and
Don FRANCOIS dAsslsl, fathtr OF the Ming OF Spdln
THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT
The President Marshal came from the Elys6e IN
his state carriage escorted by his military house
hold. Troops were drawn up along the aycuue,
through which he passed 10 the of the
Trocad6ro On arriving. President MacMahOn
greeted the Princes and other foreign representa-
iiyes, and formally presented 10 them the Cabinet
Minister'S the Exhibition officials and several other
persons of more or less distinction. 4 procession
was then formed. The Prince OF Orange, the
Crown Prince of Denmark, aud Prince Amadeus
ranged themselves to the right Of Marshal Mae
Mahon while the Prince of Wales, in the uniform
Of the Horse Guards and Prince Henry, OF Holland,
walked at his left. Ihc procession marched from
the Grand Arcade to the platform overlooking the
fountain. and commanding a view of nearly all the
buildings and grounds;
Address OF IIIE MINISTER OF COMMERCE.
Here VI. reisserenc de Bort welcomed the Marshal,
and delivered an address to the effect tEa, the idea
of holding an Exhibition suggested itself the day
after the dclinitivc concentration Of the Republic.
Republican Government thus gave stamp to the
tendencies and aims which it wished to assign to
its efforts and testified its faith in the stability and
fccund Is Of the institutions il had founded and its
confidence in the sympathies Of foreign Govern
ments. He thanked the foreign countries which
had so magnifccntly responded to tie appeal of
France sent their art treasures and manufactures
here, aud now crowned their courtesy by honoring
the opening OF the enterprise with the presence of
their most ustTious citizens and best loved princes.
The Exhibition wasn proof of virty which would
make it, mark upon the history of the Republic. In
the Exhibition visitors would see that France, re-
assured in regard to the future, had taken fresh
flight by a revival Of her activity and energy and
labored more arIcntly than ever TO multiply the
4. I., HI
life Of her people, and multiply the benefits of civil
ization to the honor and glory of humanity.
THa EXHIBITION DECLARED OPEN.
Inrcply President MacNIahOn said " | desire to
Join in the sentiments expressed by the Minister of
Commerce | offer my congratulations upon the
magnificent result achieved, and Of which | am
happy to have the whole world as witness. We have
also to thank the foreign nations for completely
responding to the appeal of France. In the name Of
the Republic declare the Exhibition opened
One hundred and one rounds from the guns
at the Invalides, on Mont Valeren, and on an
island in the Seine followed the announcement. At
the same time two military bands struck up, all the
fountains played, and soldiers stationed by he flag
stats hoste2 the flags of all nations the roofs of
the two palaces and the anncxcs.
MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE.
The scene after the official declaration of the
opening was imposing IN the extreme. FROM inc
heights Of the TrocadGro the thousands of guests
assembled could see the crowds on the surrounding
streets the banks of the Seine and at PasSy, both
on the right and left. In front lay an immense
area crowded with the Exposition buildings. gay
decorated with flags Of different nations, the grand
cascade and row of villas illustrating the countries
PARTICIPATING Long lines of brilliant cquipages
filled the road TO the Champs Elys6es and the Tuil-
cries, interspersed with detachments of the
Mounted Guards of Paris, the magnificent escorts
of the foreign Princes, and the military household
of President MacMahon. The dazzling facade OF
the Palace on the Champ de Mars was richly orna-
mented with national embems, and in every avail
able space the thousands of spectators were
held in place by lines of infantry. The
military display was less imposing than
originally intended The Minister of Ag-
neulture had decided, on the advice OF the engi-
neers. that the recently constructed avenues near
the Exposition would suffer by the passage Of cav
airy and artillery The Sixth Battalion OF Chas-
did the honors of the Trocadero salutlng each
portion of the cortege as it passed.
TIE VISIT TO THE MAIN BuILDISG.
The Marshal turned to Mr.. krantz, the Or
ganizer of the Exhibition and congratulated him
on the auspicious opening Of the grand enterprise.
The Marshal then rcascended TO the Trocadero
Palace, the procession reforming behind him. and.
after completing the round of the building, crossed