Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-01-09

The French man-of-war B0NVette IN mid
| stream saluted and then assembled the river
In company. AS the official boats arr
proached the wharf built from the EXPOSE
| ton grounds the Washingtorartillery beg<tn
| firing a salute Of one hundred gulrs, and the
procession moved toward the spacious
| building. where the Inauguration ceremo-
, the previously announced programme.
Arriving at the grounds the procession
| moved to the Exposition Building Ten
| thousand chairs had been placed,in the hall
| and galleries. These were soon filled.
Every available standing place in the aisles
| was occupied, and thousands gathered i'll
| the side hall, from which a view Of the
! platform could be obtained. Music Hai4,
where the ceremonies took place, was elab-
orately decorated With flags of all narlOns
| and cOats-of-armS of all States. AT one
| o'clock DR.. Talmage advanced to the front
of the stage and made the opening prayer.
| Courier's Military Band of Cincinnati then
played "The Exposition March," Director
General Burke rose amid great cheering and
made an address. He referred with pleasure
o,thc efforts Of foreign countries and the
various States and Territories of the Union to
| contribute to the success of the festival.
From every part of the world the promoters
of the exposition had received Kindness,
sympathy and good will and they were
thus enabled to assemble under one roof Of
greater extent than was ever before seen in
the world. In all the buildings under con-
troll of the officers of the exposition there
was not now a hundred feet of space unal-
lotted or u~nappropriated which would not
be occupied within the next fifteen days.
After the Mexican Band had played some
selections, including the Mexican National
Anthem (the audience standing While the
latter piece was played), President Richard
son, of the Exposition Association, was in
trOduced and made a short speech. He
briefly %recounted the inception and prog
ress of the exposition, and said that not the
least benefit to be derived from the success
of the undertaking would be the closer and
more friendly intercourse between our own
and foreign countries.
Colonel G. A. BreauX then read President
Arthur's address, which had just been re-
ceived by telegraph from Washington. AS
Colonel Breaux read the closing sentence of
the address President Arthur closed the
electric circuit AMI the machinery was put
in motion. At the same moment a large
portrait OF the President was placed in po-
sition on the center platform amid great ap-
plause.
Mayor GuilIotte then made an address of
welcome on behalf of the city, saying the
citizens of New Orleans would endeavor to
make it as pleasant as possible for strangers,
and that his own efforts in that direction
would be u:Temitting.
Governor McEnery then delivered an adj
dress. in which he reviewed the history and
organization of the exposition, and SCI forth
the great advantages likely to accrue to this
State and the people of the whole country
from the grand enterprise. After this
speech a poem in honor of the exposition,
written by Mrs. Townsend, was read by
Page NJ. Baker.
Almost every country in Europe and on
this continent was represented on the plat
form. Among other perSonageS there were
officers from the French war vessel Bouvet.
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Of Boston, and a
staff of ladies of the women's department;
Secretary Teller, Postmaster-General Hat
ton, General Eaton Commissioner of Edu-
%cation), Ch~ief-Justiee Manning, Of Lou
isiana, and several Assistant Justices and
Judges, Federal officers, Senators, Repre-
sentatives and city officials.
Some of the Western railroads make fine
displays, and scores of manufacturers from
Eastern and Middle States have given proof
of ingenuity and interest in the success of
the exposition by sending large supplies
from their factories and workshops. The
South shows up with wonderful complete
ness in her mineral, agricultural and manu-
featuring resources, and is evidently taking
the greatest pride in the success of the eX-
position, and in the results which it is hoped
will follow it. Mexico and the southern half
Of the Western hemisphere are we'll repre-
scented.
Last night the city was brilliantly illumi-
mated. The most notable buildings were
the Ttmes-DcmocrGt, Which had erected a
triumphal arch in the street, and the Picd-
yu3c, which had superb multi-colored rows
Of lights and lanterns covering the entire
front. The Sky was brilliant with fire.
works and the air resounds with explosions
of gunpowder.
The general expression is that the day
Was a complete success and a credit to the
management. Possibly twenty-five thon-
sand people found their way to the exposi-
ton grounds. The only cause of regret is
that the delay Of some exhibitors prevented
the first day from presenting the displays
at their best. a complete array of exhibits
was presented by the States of Oregan, Col
orado, California and Nebraska. and the
Territory Of Dakota. The exhibit of Ne
braska attracted universal attention, being
magnificent.