The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-18
GREAT WORK COMPLETE
CHICAGO's AUDITORIUM DEDICATED
BY THE QUEEN OF SONG.

Tho President, Vice resident and Many
Governors In Attendance at the Opening
Ceremonies 80 President Iiarrison's Adj
dress-The Greatest Audience Hall I'm
America.
The dedication of the Chicago Audi
forum occurred on the evening OF
the 9th inst The event is one OF the
greatest landmarks IN modern history. lt
is without parallel In the new world.
or course the dedication draws its jmpor-
lance from the character of the building
and the scope of its objects. In this re-
spect the occasion appeals TO the nation
for rival In fact the. world can show
nothing like 1t in all the range OF history.
Ina 'front.' box sat President Harrison
and Mrs Mckee Mr.. and Mrs. f. w. Peck.
In front of their box stood a splendid bank
of red and white carnations and roses with
the legend "Welcome to our honored
guest" In the opposite box was Gov.
Fifer and party OF friends.
The orchestra, composed OF the orches-
ira of the opera company and 10 al must
clans with accompaniment on the organ,
rendered a trumphal fantasia by Du-
bois, and Mayor Cregier appeared. He
u
logan at once the delivery of his address,
which wns greeted W tn great applause.
Ferd w. Peck, president OF the Audi
torium association was called for and re-
sponded in few appropriate remarks.
In concluding Mr. Peck introduced the
President OF the United States. Hundreds
of people rose as Mr.. Harrison left his
box. and tossed their handkerchief, clapped
their hands, and shouted an enthusiastic
welcome Mr.. Harrison made a neat and
happy speech.
He SAID "Iadies and Gentlemen:
Some of my newspaper friends have been
puzZling thensel yes in order to discover
the reason why | left Washington TO be
here tonight. / do not think i need to
set In order the motives which have i'm
PEELED my presence. Surely no loyal citi-
zen of Chicago who sits here tonight un-
der this wtching, magnificent scene will
ask for any other reason than that which
is here presented. GApplause.
81 do most heartily congratulate you
upon the completion and inauguration of
this magnificent building, without an
equal in this country, and, so far as l
know without an equal in the world.
Applause We have here about us to-
night in this grand architecture in this
tasteful decoration. that which is an edu-
cation and an nspirat ton. Applause.
II might well attract those whose sur
roundings were altogether pleasant to
make longer journey than / have made
to stand for an hour here lapplaussl,
and if that be true surely there is reason
enough why the President NAV turn aside
for a little while from public duty to
minge with his fellow citizens in cele-
brating an event so high and so woi thy
as this. (Applause. Not speech, cer-
tainly not the careless words of extempore
speech, can fifty interpret this great occa-
sion. Only the voice of the immortal
singer can bring from these arches those
echoes which will te ii US the true purpose
of their construction. lApplause.l
You will permit me, then, TO thank
you, to thank the Mayor of Chicago. to
thank all those good citizens with whom l
have to-day been brought in personal con-
tact for the kindnes and respect with
which they have received me; and you
will permit me TO thank you, my fellow
citizens, for the cordiality which you have
witnessed here tonight. / wish that this
great building may continue to be 10 all your
population that which it should be, open
ing its doors from night TO night, calling
your people here away from care of bust
ness to those enioyments and pursuits and
entertainment viii. h develop the souls Of
men [applausel which will have power TO
inspire those whose lives are heavy with
daily toll, and in this ma gnifcent and en-
chanted presence lift them for time out
of these dull things into those higher
things where men should live" Jap
plause.
The President then returned 10 his box
and the Apollo club, 500 strong, sung
"Am,rica. >" The immense room is es-
pecially adapted to grand choruses The
second stanza was sung by female voices.
The male chorus repeated portion of it
and all joined in the conclusion. The
effect was electric. Strong men were
touched and tears glistened on many eye-
lashes The great hall seemed to take up
the chorus and roll it in triumphal tones
through the immense arches. 1t thrilled
ana held motionless the mighty thron g
! that had gossiped and gazed at everything
except the speakers. While the anthem
Numbered among the clouds no attention
wa' given anything except the wonderful
music.
The contata that followed was scarce
less effective, but "My Country IT'S of
Thee, ~ touched the heart while the can
tata only delighted the ear.
Mr.. John S. Runnells followed in a
polished grafton, full of beautiful and
eloquent phrases, tribute to American
oratory.
Then came the "peerless Patti" She
sang Home Sweet Home" No one
could criticise the singing Patti sets the
standard for the cultivation of ,he human
voice. She was as radiant as in her prime,
and wealth of sparkling jewels glittered
from her corsage. She was the queen OF
the musical stage, as always, and of course
she was recalled. She sung a Swiss echo
song that showed the marvellous compass
and exquisite timbre OF her voice.
burst of hearty applause greeted Gov.
Filter as he stepped forward to pronounce
the dedicatory address. Frequent rounds
of applause greeted the speaker when he
referred to the destiny of Chicago, the
vim and energy of its people, and the
beauty and purpose of the great hall which
IL was his honor 10 dedicate. In closing
he said
1--WE then dedicate this temple OF the
people TO the muses. Of art and song, anc
may they in turn be here dedicated to the
use OF man; and let their sister Clio, too,
with unerring pencil, write the Just
praises of all who love and serve theil
fellow men,"
At the conclusion of the dedicatory nd