Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1889-12-14
GREAT WORK COMPLETE
CHICAGO's AUDITORIUM DEDICATED
BY THE QUEEN OF SONG.

The dedication of the Chicago Audi
torium occurred on the evening of
the 9th inst The event is one of the
greatest landmarks IN modern history 1t
is without parallel in the new world.
OF 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.
In a 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 a 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 triumphal Fantasia by Du-
Lois, and Mayor Cregier appeared He
was greeted was a roar of applause and
Logan at once the delivery of his address,
which was greeted W tn great applause.
Ferd w. Feck, president Of the Audi
forum association was called for and re-
sponded in Il few appropriate remarks.
In concluding Mr. Peck introduced the
President of the United States Hundreds
of people rose as Mr.. Harrison eft his
box, and tossed their handkerchief, clapped
their hands, and shouted an enthusiastic
welcome Mr.. Harrison made a neat and
happy speech.
He SAID: Ladies' and Gentlemen:
Some of my newspaper friends have been
puzzlng thenlselv YES in order to discover
the reason why left Washington to be
here tonight ! do not think | 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 I'M
der this witchng, 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 |
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 inspiration Applause. ]
l 8 might we'll attract those whose sur
| roundings were altogether pleasant to
make a longer journey than | have made
to stand for an hour here [applause',
and if that be true surely there is reason
enough why the President may turn aside
| for little while from public duty to
mingle with his fellow citizens in cele-
brating an event so high and so wol thy
as this [1pplause. Not speech GER
tainly not tie 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 tell us the true purpose
of their construction. Applause.
You will permit me, then, to thank
you, to thank the Mayor of Chicago, to
thank all those good citizens with whom
have to-day been brought in personal con-
tact, for the kindness 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 to 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 develop the souls of
men [applausel which will have power to
inspire those whose lives are heavy with
daily toll, and in this ma gnncent and en-
of these dull things into those higher
things where men should live " Zap
plause
The President then returned to his box
and the Apollo club, 500 strong, sung
"Americo" The immense room is es
pecially adapted to grand choruses. The
second stanza was sung by female voices
The male chorus repeated a portion of i
/ oil III, 10, thn 81, u,
effect was electric Strong men wer,
touched and tears glistened on many eve
lashes The great hall seemed to take III
the chorus and roll it in triumphal tones
through the immense arches. 1t thrilled
ana held motonless the mighty throns
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 scare
less effective, but "My Country IT'S o
> Thee, - touched the heart while the can
r tata only delighted the ear.
Mr.. John S. Runnells followed in
r polished Grafton full of beautiful an
1 eloquent phrases, a tribute to America
= oratory.
HoH 'diile blle HbbIieSS j uIbls On
sang Home Sweet Home. " No on
could criticise the singing Patti sets tn
!, standard for the cultivation Of the human
i voice. She was as radiant as in her prime
= and "A wealth of sparkling jewels glittere
i from her corsage She was the queen O
> the musical stage, as always, and of cours
she was recalled. She sung Swiss ech
y song that showed the marvellous compass
u and exquisite timbre of her voice.
$ A burst Of hearty applause greeted Cox
d Fifer as he stepped forward to pronoun,
Il tho dedicatory address. Frequent round
u Of applause greeted the speaker when h
l. referred to the destiny Of Chicago. th
u vim and energy Of its people, and I'll
beauty and purpose of the great hall whic
y 1t was his honor TO dedicate In closin
u he said
- 1--WE then dedicate this temple OF IN
n people 10 the muses. of art and song, an
=, may they in turn be here ded icated 10 th
4 use OF man; and let their sister clio to,
with unerring pencil, writo the iu
,, praises of all who love and serve the
, fellow mon.
+, AZ tho conclusion II the dedieatory "a.
II drecs tho Apollo club uealod tho 'Halu
JAIN chorous from "Iho Messiah" ar
a.. tho audience dispersed. the stirring tom
a. fIs GREAT urrau f.II,u.Iass thr....