Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-16
THE ST PAUL DAILY GLOBE TUESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER

pie, beautiful, symetrical, safe. had al
most perfect, but perfection is too rare an
attribute to apply to an Opera house not
yet subjected to public criticism.
The owner will admit that it is
easier to criticise house built for the en-
tertainment of the public than to build it.
1t is easier to point out defects than to
remedy them. 1t is easier to spend some
one else's money foolishly in building a
magnificent and extravaganza opera house
than to spend ones own. Gentlemen, If
you doubt this, try it. At some future
time when corporation builds half mil
lion dollar opera house in this city it may
be more lavishly decorated and more mag
nificent in appointments and more impos-
ing in outward appearance, but it will not
be built more carefully and conscientlousiy
In all its details. No one knows except
the owner and bis immediate assistants and
associates, how many months OF anxious
thought. how much of perplexing care, how
much of weary and unhagging attention
has been given to the minutest details,
from its inception to it's present
advanced condition. It is, as
you see, nearing completion, and the
owner hands it over to you tonight for
your inspection and enjoyment. Those
who have borne an honorable part IN
working cut the. plans are worthy of all
honor and OF kindly remembrance. Their
names appear upon the souvenir present
ed to the ladies in the audience as keep
sake memorial of this pleasant occasion.
Their work does them more honor than
any words of praise which I can speak.
This new Grand opera house is now form
ally at your disposal. You can make it a
grand success or a sad failure. The owner
has done his part. He feels assured from
the many kind words he has received and
from the hearty and magnificent ovation
accorded the house on this opening night
that you will do yours. The management
will try to secure the best attractions, the
finest artists, the greatest celebrities. The
character of all entertainments, as long as
they can be controlled, will be of the high
est order, pure, refined and elevating.
The patronage Of the house will deter
mine whether you can afford the high
priced and costly entertainments of larger
and older communities. The stage and
its appointments and this auditorium will
accommodate any attraction usually placed
upon the boards in New York or Boston.
1t remains for You to say whether you will
be as generous IN patronage as the owner
has been in building. He has furnished
the house, you must furnish the audiences.
1t opens fittingly tonight with one of the
queens of song, whose sweet voice, woman
ly virtues and sterling merit has justly
placed her in the forirost rank of Amer
cas- sweet singers. She is one whom you
al hoy frh to
Miss Emma Abbott, supported by artists
equally distinguished, well known and be-
loved by the musical people of this city.
A week of rare enjoyment awaits
you. 1t is proper for me to
say, the Emma Abbott English Opera
company has made unusual sacrifices to re-
turn to st. Paul and open this house at a
very much later date than was originally
anticipated. Perhaps, you have come par
tally to see the new house tonight, bat
you will also have rare musical treat.
You will come to every performance this
week, trnst, and you will hear as sweet
music, by as worthy a company as will
ever greet an audience from this stage. In
conclusion Ithe9 owner earnestly desires
that men and women may be made better
and purer Shy holding the mirror up to
nature" and by the facilities that will here
be afforded under good auspices for health
full amusements.Heh hopes that when young
people come within thess walls for social
enjoyment and recreation, whree music
and art and literature shall spread their
choicest feasts, while being entertained
may at the same time be educated and re-
fined, made better for this world and filter
for that other where kings and beggars
rank not by costliness or poverty of ap-
parel but the purity of heart and royalty
Of souls.
MAYOR o'BR1EN's Response.
When Col. Davidson had finished, Mayor
@. D. O'Brien stepped forward and re-
ceived the house on behalf of the public in
thesfollowing appropriate language:
1t gives me great pleasure on behalf of
our people to receive from the honored
hands of our worthy fellow citizen, Com
modere Davidorn, this magnificent evil
dence of the kindly feelings which he has
already evinced towards this community
it is not by any means the first time that
our fair city has been indebted to him fol-
permanent and substantial favors, fol
long before the advent of railroads it was
to his energy, uniring efforts and public
spirit that the upper Mississippi was made
and kept the highway Of our commerce,
and the broad avenue upon which were
transported the multitudes who have since
peopled our city and state.
This last and most perfect token of his
desire for our enjoy ent and comfort
demonstrates that he is equally supreme
On shore as on the turbid waters of the
Mississippi. 1t is peculiarly fitting, thai
this, his last great gift to US should be
presented as it is with music, song and
laughter. 1t is indeed a fitting gift to the
beauty of St. Paul, and the thousands OF
bright eyes that hereto-night smile theirap
prevail, show how worthily it has been be-
slowed. The magnificent ,casket you have
presented to US is we'll worthy of the bright
jewels that it now contains.
It is fstingly consecrated to its joyous
uses by the sweet melodies of that fail
daughter of song who has SO often delight
ed us. The passage of time will only the
more fully enable us to demonstrate oUl
entire and perfect appreciation of thi;
most lasting expression of the benevolence
and public spirit of its worthy owner. He
has well realized that higher ambition sc
beautifully expressed when it was said
''let me make the songs OF people and
care not who makes their laws" and IN the
name of the people whose songs he has
I41 20 L Il h net orfJ IL