The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-17
WORLDS EXPOSITION.
The Formal Opening at New Or
leans Yesterday.
President Arthur Starts the Machinery
by Electricity.
INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE
OPENING EXERCISES.

NEW ORLEANS, Dsc. 16-Ths day OF the iD-
| sugnration ceremonies st the Worlds exposi-
| tion opened bright and cheerful. Every public
and private building along the principal
| northern climates were astonished TO find hun
dreds of orange trees bending beneath ripe
| fruit, and TO see the bloom Of roses aud the
| rich verdure of kitchen and flower gardens.
| At IL o'clock Governor McEuery Of Louis
| lana, and Major General Glynn, commanding
| the State militia, and members of their stAtf5
in full uniform, the Mayor Of New Orleans.
members of the State Legislature, foreign con-
| suls and several hundred guests assembled at
| ST. Charles Hotsl from whence they we're to
| proceed to the exposition grounds. Tne pro-
| cesson was formed and, headed by the cele-
| bratsd Mexican band, passed through the
crowded streets to the river, where steamer
! vas III waiting to convey the officials, guests
4 and their escort to the grounds.
At II 30 m. the steamer started up the
river. The French mau-of-War Bouveta, ly-
| ing midstTeam, saluted the steamer ON her ap-
/ proaeh aud then steamed up the river in her
| company. AS thu boats approached the wharf
| at the exposition grounds artillery began firing
l a salute of one hundred guns. The guests
| landed and forming in line proceeded 10 the
| spacious building, where the Inauguration
| ceremonies were carried out in accordance
| with the programme. Rev. Dr. Talmage at
| O'Clock advanced to the front OF the stage and
node the opening prayer; CouFier's military
band OF Cincinnati then gave the gveat Ex-
the great applause which had greeted him had
subsided, said:
/ Mr. President:
Standing do under the flags OF all nations.
looking into the faces of people from every cline,
surrounded by evidences of industry gathered from
i every quarter of the earth, within sight of that
magnificent patheriug of the resources OF my
country with the duty devolving upon me of sur
| rendering into the hands of the management
| account of the stewardship of those in whom The
trust has been reposed OF preparing for this great
national aud industrial festival, have words OF
apology or regret to express. have only the pro-
found qualification. the profound satisfaction that
those countries of the world those representing the
industries of the world aud those representing the
! government Of my own country and the States and
Territories of the Union have all wed with each
other in contributing the success of this festival
and have worked in the cause with such degree Of
nnanimity. and with such spontaniety as the world
has never before seen.
In this great work, from every part Of the world
| and from every part OF this country we have had
only kindness, sympathy and good will. / will say
| in behalf of the thousands Of exhibitors who
not yet in position that the delay Is due 10
beyond cOntro; but say to the public who
titled to this explanation that there not day in
| all the buildings under our control one hundred
feet of space unal. tied or unappropriated which
viii not be occupied in the next ten fifteen days
NOS, Alr President We have discharged our trust
| and !, IN the name OF the workers and my asso-
catesgtender and place in your hands the buildings
| and grounds prepared for this Exposition. loud
| and long continued applause)
After the Mexican Band had rendered some
| selections, concluding with their national air,
| PRESIDENT fOlCDarO9Ou OF t06 EXPOSITION Ah8C-
| citation delivered tho following address to the
| President of the United States, which was
| telsgraphed to Washington, in which he said,
| sftar reciting history of the organization OF
| the movement and the various measures which
rendered its cODsummation possible, that
| from the commencement IL was determined
| that nothing should give a local or sectional
! character to the sWork but 10 should be as IL
! truly is national aad International exposition
| and consequently today are assembled here
4 of oil "a natl fONa NJ bn
| side by side with those of our own national
| government and of every State and Territory
| OF this Union. AL have contributed examples
| of their resources and Of their progress in this
| wonderful collection OF Industrial, CONNER
cial, educational and artistic obj acts now open
| to the inspection Of the world. How much of
/ good shall resolt from the means OF iDstrrc-
| ZION here furnished is beyond moral power to
measure, but certainly hot the least benefit to
| be derived from this exposition will be- closer
| and more friendly intsTcOurss OF onr own peo-
| pie with those of other countries, the develop
mept Of common interest aud hrmer estan-
| lishment of peace in our own country. 1t will
| be monument OF an era Of unity Of interests,
| OF harmony and good feeling, destined
| it is believed TO endure as long
| as the continent itself shall exist, on which
/ new and perfectly united States are establish
/ ed. now present to you this exposition ready
as our best efforts, with the brief period OF
| time at our command have been able to make
| 1t, and for the degree OF success attained we
| appeal to generous judgment.
| Col. Breaux read Presideot Arthurs address
| which bad just been received by telegraph, as
follows:
| WAsHINGToN Dec. 16.-There was consider
| able delay in the opening exercises at the New
| Orleans exposition. A large crowd of distn-
| g1ished people had gathered at the White
| House and every arrangement made for the
| President to oDen the exposition in an apprC-
| pirate style. The President took his station at
| the telegraph table aud remained sanding
| there surrounded by his cabinet for over half
| an hour before the signal that everything was
/ in readiness was received. The Marine Band
was present and had exhausted their pro-
| gramme of national airs for the occasion, aud
| the crowd became impatient and many people
| left. The sigual was received at half past two
O'clock and in few minutes the address Of
| President Richardson Of the exposition was re-
| ceved.
The following is the Presidents address in
reply;
In the name of the people of this Republic con-
gratulate the citizens of the Southwest their ad
vancing prosperity as manifested by the great in
ternational exposition now about to open. The in
terest Of the nation in that section of common
wealth has found expression in many ways, and
| notably in appropriations for the improvement of
| the Mississippi and by national loan to promote
the present exposition Situated it is at the gate
/ way of the trade between the United States and
Central and South America it will attract the at
enton of people of the neighborlng nations of the
American system, and they will learn the import
ance of availing Themselves of products as we
1 will of theirs and thus not only good feeling but
| profitable intercourse between the United States
| and the States of Central and South America will
| be promoted. and the people also Of our own
country thus brought clorer together will find in
this exposition of competitive industries motives for
| strengthening the bonds of brotherhood Railroads,
| telegraph lines aad submarine cables have drawn
| much nearer the nations of the EARTH and an as
sembly like this OF representations Of different
tions, is promoive of good will and peace, while il
| advances the national welfare of all.
The United ates extends TO those from foreign
countries who visit on this occasion cordial well
come; and now at the Executive Mansion in Wash
ington in the presence of the assembled representa-
| tives OF the friendly natioDs of the worli of the
| President of the enate of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives. of the Chief Justice and
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Of COM
| mittee from each House Of Congress and of the
members OF my cabinet, again and in their
| congratulate the promoters Of the exposition upon
the auspieoys Inauguration of an enterprise which
promises such far reaching results With my best
wishes for the fuillmsnt Of az us great purposes
| Centennial Exposition is now open.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
At the close of his remarks tho President
touched the button OF the instrument at ten
miautes past three o'clock and started the
machinery in the exposition buildings.
New ORLEANS, Dec. 16.-When Col. Breaux
concluded the sentence declaring the
| the Worlds Exposition now oDen, the Presi-
dent closed the electric c'rcait and the machiu-
cry was put in motion. AT the same moment q
Large pOrtl ait of the President was placed in
position in the centre Of the platform aud
greeted with great applause.
Mayor Guillotte then delivered q brief ad-
dress of welcome.
Ten thousand chairs had been placed 10 the
hall and galleries. These were soon filled,
every available standing place in the aisles
was occupied, aud thousands gathered on
either side of the hall from which view of
this platform could be obtained. Music
Hall, where the ceremonies took place,
was elaborately decorated with flags
OF all nations and coats of arms OF
all the States Governor McEnery delivered
an address in which he reviewed the history
of the organization Of the exposition and set
forth the great advantages TO accrue to the
State and the people of the whole country
from the grand enterprise. After this speech
poem in honor of the exposition by Mrs.
Townsend, known as 'Xsriffa," was read by
| Page NJ. Baker.
Among the representatives of foreign gov
ernments present on the platform were the
! consuls of France Mexico, Great Britain
Germany, Auslro-Hungary, Spaiu, Portugal
Brazil Netherlsnd, Italy, Be'oium, Russia
Denmark, Switzerland, Venezutl., Columbis
Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
mong other personages ON the platform
were the officers of the French war vessel
''Bouvet," Mrs. Julia Ward Howe and hei
staff of ladies of the women's department OF
the exposition, Secretary Teller, Postmaster