National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-10-29
At THE FAIR GROUNDS.
Opening Ceremonies-Addresses of Presi-
don't Hayes and Mr.. Gait.

Opening Ceremonies-Ad ddresses of Presi-
don't Hayes and Mr.. Gait.
Before noon the tide of travel was turned TO-.
ward the Fair grounds Every mode of con.
veyance was brought into requsition. Thou.
sands availed themselves Of the special trains
on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and the
lines of buses running to the grounds from
different parts of the city. The scene on the
grounds was of the livelicst description The
buildings were gaily decorated with flags and
bunting, and everything wore n gala appear.
ance. Shooting galleries, confectionery stands
and booths of all descriptions, with their busy
attendants and eager patrons, added life to
the picture. None who visited the grounds for
the first time failed to give vent to some ex.
clamatiOn of surprise and wonder at the sight
before them. 1t was II revelaticn-the mag
niicent mile track, monster grand stand and
stately bu ldings which have risen by tho
magical influence of ready money, undauutcd
courage and indomitable energy like Alad.
din's palace, almost in night The Art
building (soe cut on third page) was not
open yesterday, but its fine architectural
proportions were admired by all. II was an.
nounced that the Main Building (see cut on
first page and diagram on seventh pagel would
not be opened until to-day, but the pressure
at the dOols was so great that shortly after
noon the doorkcepcrs on the inside surron-
dercl, and the visitors thronged into the
ais'es. The exhibits in the Agricultural Hall
page were not all in po1ition, but visitors
were admitted Many agricultural imple-
mcnts intended for exhibition were "corraled"
below Agricultural Hall. The exhibition sta.
blcs, containing Mr.. CARROTS stud of Arabian
horses and other magnificent animals, were
points Of great attraction. The stock pens
were not occupied, rs it has been decided not
to open tho stock exhibition until next
Monday. Workmen were busy about the
grounds putting the finishing touches on the
different buildings. The grand stand is not
yet entirely completed, but the work is adj
vanced sufficiently to permit its being occu.
pied. temporary structure did service as a
judges stand. A huge bell was erected at the
side of this stand, but it was only used once
during the races, Il smaller one having been
provided for the use of the judges. Every
train until late in the afternoon brought to
the grounds large additions to the numbers
present. Tho attendance is estimated at be-
between 1900 and $1,000. The weather in
the morning appeared very favorable but
during the day proved very troacherous At
noon adrenching rain began to fall and delayed
the opening exercises for more than hour.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY
left the Executive Mansion at quarter to
twelve o'clock. The party was driven to the
grounds in five carriages. In the first were
seated the President POstmaster-Ge General Key
aud Major Thomas p. Morgan, who acted as
a special escort to the President at the request
contained Secretary Evarts and daughter; the
third, Attorney General Devens and Miss
Schurz; the fourth, Secretary Schurz and Miss
Agatha Schurz, and the fifth. Secretary
Thompson. This procession moved rapidly to
the Fair grounds by way of New York avenue
and the newly-cut Fair Grounds" road, &C.
complishing the distance in fifteen minutes
Upon entering tho grounds the carriages
were driven Immediately to the Club
House, where tho President and party
were received by President Gait and tho
directors of the Fair Association. As the rain
had begun to fall in torrents, the shelter
afforded by the Clubhouse was found very
agroeable-not too agreeble, but just agreeable
enough-as a fine lunch was spread, and the
officers of the Association entertained their
guests in royal manner. About 1:30 the
rain ceased, and every one welcomed joyously
the prospect of clear afternoon. A procession
of carriages was then ,ormed at the Club House.
and tho PRESIDENT was escorted to the Main
Building.
Upon arriving at this building the party
were conducted to the balcony over the main
entrance. vast crowd soon assembled be.
low and Mr.. Gait, President of the Association,
advanced to the railing and spoke as follows
MR.. GALT's ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE ASSOCIATION, OUR Invited
GUESTS AND OUR PATRONS bid you hearty well
come. Less than two months ago we met on these
grounds to dedicate them to the arts of peace Some
of you will not forget the obstacles the en-
terprise which we have had TO surmount our work,
however, completed as II has been, stands here be-
fore you. ltsIefecs, doubt not, will find cemency
III your criticism when you remember that our as
ISOLATION is not yet sixty days old Time the great
helper of human effort Will, we trust. direct the
proper remedies still have TO report 10 you to.
day that we have DOL members, of whom four have
five shares each, four have three shares each,
eighteen have two shares each aud has four
shares. The rest have one share each. ] myself
am the proud holder of one share only for which
paid the sum of SlOO-the par value OF u share II
has been square thing all around There has not
been single share OF subsidized stock issued We
nave had aud VIII have no cques or rings or Jobs
in this effort 1t is not emauating from
the men of known aud reputed wealth in this Dis.
trict II has been taken up by men who, as u gen
ernl rule, have limited capital, but who, proud OF
this city where they 1--we and Jealous Of the good
name of this District the seat Of tho National Gov
ernment, have put their hands 10 this work In en-.
tire good faith, and voluntarily and freely done
Whatever was necessary 10 make II success I'm
I'll within three weeks there have been not
exceeding six persons on our payroll. The sug-
gestion that few men have embarked in this as
kocialon as grand speculation is utterly un.
Wolthy oi an answer as II IS entirely uniounded
III tact The men who have come forward TO make
ths National Fair success ut tho capital Of their
G9ultfy are hellher seTyie nor seeking notOriety.
They are from among the best and most reliable
portions OF our community. They could not be
coelCed py any power INTO any menlal capacity,
for they have the energy and brains to direct their
own affairs, ana yet With an enthusiasm that
doubt not was knded TO a higher order by the
electric words Of one orator at the dedication Of
these grounds hey have stripped themselves for
The work and they have turned the wastes and
wids OF nature TO their use. The springs they have
drawn from the hills are ready to give Tefreslnent
for both man and beast, But why should longer
speak? LOOK INTO the nces of these men and read
there the secret ofthls accomplishment, Weyeuture
10 hope that that which has been dOnemay serve ms
nucleus OF an interest 70 be greatly augmented in
years 70 come, ana that this spot may become pre-.
eminenIly associated with the National progress in
all that constitutes peoples wealth and honor
and that on these grounds thousands may yearly
meet in grateful jubilee and rgltul emulation.
But will not detain YOU The Chief Magistrate
of tho Nation is here with US to rejoice In ouT
lubDTs / sp Tt