The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-16
The FALLS ARE FREE.
NlAeARHs WONDER CAN BE LOOKED
AT WITHOUT PRICE.
A Brilliant Celebration of the Opening
of the International Park -Emanei-
patton of One of Natures Great
est Works-The Ceremonies.

NIAGARA FALLS. n Y, July 1G-
Wednesday was Niagara's own day The
story of the emancipation of Niagara is an
interesting one, though, perhaps, familiar
to most readers. The idea originated in
1878 in an interview between Governor
Robinson and Lord Dufferin, then governor
general of Canada, and met with such favor
that Wednesday the view of Niagara Falls
was thrown open to the world without charge
Wednesday morning this unusually quiet
village was overlooking with visitors, and
trains were rapidly arriving from all direc-
tions crowded with passengers. Governor
Hill arrived from Buffalo about IL o'clock
and was met by reception committee and
escorted to the International hotel Flags,
bunting and banners flying in all directions
as far as the eye could reach on both sides of
the river, the Union Jack ming
ling with the stars and stripes in
adding brilliancy to the scene.
The decorations at the International hotel
were magnificent Private residences made
an elaborate display of bunting, each one
seemingly trying to Guido tho other in this
direction. Among the most handsome of
the decorations were those on the Jewett
block and the Spencer house.
The trains arriving about IL or 1880,
| brought many distinguished guests. The
weather was all that could be desired-cool
and pleasant
The first feature of the celebration began
by the firing of 100 guns at sunrise by the
Seventh battery, National guard The cere-
monies attending the transfer of the
lands selected for the park took place
| in Prospect park at noon in the presence of
| the governor AMI officers of the state mem
| bers of the Niagara Falls association, the
| distinguished guests and the citizens ass9m-
bled The Hon. Erastus Brooks then pre-
| sided, and the exercises vera
opened by prayer by Bishop Coke
| The presentation address was made by
the Hon. William DorSheimer, president of
| the commission, and responded TO by the
| governor. The military review occurred at
! 300 p. H., and in the evening the falls We're
| Illuminated by display Of fireworks from
both sides Of the rivers and from Goat
| island.
When the train bearing the gubernatorisl
party arrived here there was very little
demonstration, the party being received by
| the citizens committee and escorted to the
| International hotel The weather, which
up to this hour had been beautiful, then
turned out bitter disappointment, A driz-
zle set in which promised to last for the day.
At the ceremony OF declaring the park
free. after Mr. Dursheimor had performed
his part of the programme, Governor Hill
arose and said;
FELLOW CITIZENS: 1t has ever been the
custom of our people to celebrate with APP
| propriate ceremonies those great events
which have made tue history of our
state illustrious. A few "reminiscences of
this character may not be uninteresting
upon this occasion" The governor then re-
viewed the history of the grounds, referring
to the fact that De Witt Clinton and Others
had met hero TO talk of the construction
Of the Erie canal, then spoke of
other great state works, aud ar
irving at the present. occasion continued
These demonstrations of former years -
which have alluded were in recognition of
} the wonderful achievements secured by the
enterprise, ability, science and skill of cur
people. These ceremonieS to-day, how
ever, characterize a triumph of a diff
ferent character. We rejoice not at the
victories of science OF the sublime efforts of
mechanical genius, but over that exhibition
of elevated sen timent unselfiSh generosity,
creditable public spirit, and genuine patri
otism, which inaugurated and car
ried to final success this philan'
thropic project for the preservation TO the
world for its free use forever of the Majestic
scenery of the falls of Niagara
) natures grandest gift to man; thi,
testimonial to the wondrous fascination,
Of lively landscape, q token Of oul
grateful appreciation of the magnificent
grandeur of the rushing waters Of
yonder deep. The state accept
= this reservation. In its sovereign capacity
it assumes formal possession in behalf
of, and in trust for the people whom i
represents, and whose property it now be
comes Originally belonging to the state, i
j now fittingly returns to its primary, nat
s ural and appropriate ownership.
Speaking of TIE commissioners who had
charge of the work OF redeeming the fall
he said: All honor to their perSever
: ance, their foresight, their gener
: osity and their patriotism. Neve
was there a cause more worthy o
generous human effort l can certify tina
from the inception of this great proiec
G down to the present hour, involving, as
necessarily has, vast interests, man,
temptations, and the expenditure o
81, 500 900, there has not been the slightes
suspicion of wrong doing or the leas
d whisper of scandal affecting the proceed
e | ings of the commissioners. All has bee
= done honestly openly, fairly, and conscien
tiously, to their everlasting fame and credi
| and 10 the satisfaction oil The people. y
i As Niagara divides its waters betwee
= the Canadas and New York alone, so wi
| New York and the Canadas equally divid
together the honors OF this great enterpris
when it shall be fully perfected on til
P other shore as originally contemplated
). The project for the preserva
= tion of the beauties of the greatest wonde
of nature is indeed noble one. Its COZ
. ception is worthy of the advanced though
l. the grand liberality and the true spirit
the nineteenth century"
About 30 delegation representing IL
Canadian government drove over from ii
Canadian side to take part in the Ger
monies. 1t included Lieutenant GovenC
Il Robinson, of Ontario; Hon. Oliver Mowat
premier of Ontario; Provincial Secretar
Hardy; Lieut. Col Gzowski, chairman of Il
e Canadian Niagara falls commission; Con
missioner Langmuir and Governor General
IA Secretary Petello.
An informal reception was in progre
=, during the morning in the hotel parlor
= The Canadian visitors were presented al
remained until the time arrived for the &c
|. emonies Of the day.