Thomas County cat., 1889-12-12
OPENED in sryLE.

WIN ~uomo. Sweet H0Ho.~
CHICAGO, Dec. l0.-An audience Of
o.00 people and an outside assemblags
OF lO.OOO enthusiastic spectators last
night witnessed the dedication Of tho
largest and grandest operatic structure
IN the world, the Chicago Auditorium.
Five thousand electric lights illumi-
mated the interior of the colossal
'tructure to the brightness of monday;
and the ! 600 incandescent border lights
OF varied c0lors that hung over tho
stage, the magnificent proscenium arch
and mammoth organ, the grand foyer
and carved mahogany pillars, the hand
soonest gilded rows OF boxes known to
modern decorative art, combined with
the presence Of one Of the most dis
tinguished and critical audiences in
America, rendered the occasion truly
one long to be a6membered by the
queen of the evening Mime. Adelina
Patti, the sovereign of song.
A few minutes past eight O'Clock the
Presidential party entered the boxes
reserved for them, and as the vast audi
ence fully recognized the chief magis-
trate of the Nation the momentary ap-
plause deepened into long continued
ovation. The magnificent 175-stop
organ with its 1000 pipes and bells
breathed forth in accompaniment with
the Iiumphal fantasia composed by
Theodore Du Bois for the memorial oc-
casiOn.
Among the prominent people who oc-
cupied the boxes were President Har-
rison, Vice-President Morton, Mrs.
Morton, Secretary Halford, Ferd w.
Peck and Mrs. Peck, Assistant POST
master General ClarksOn and Mrs.
Clarkson, Prof. David Swing. General
r. A. Alger and Miss Alger, United
States Judge Gresham and Mrs.
Gresham, Governor Fifer and Mrs.
Fifer, General George Crook and Mrs.
Crook, Hon. j. S. Runnells and Mrs.
Runnells, General II. C. COrbin, Mayor
Cregier and Mrs. Cregier, Governor
Merriman and Mrs. Merriman, Gov
ern6r Larrabee and Mrs. Larrabee,
Governor Hoard and Governor Gordon,
Of Georgia.
There was another burst Of applause
as the form of Mayor Cregier was seen
advancing to the front of the mammoth
stage. In appropriate language Mayor
Cregier welcomed the guests Of the
evening, and to every courteous allu-
sion to the President, tho Governors Of
tho surrounding States and the officers
Of the Canadian provinces, the audi
once responded with rounds of ap-
plause.
In concluding, the mayor invited the
city's guests to another occasion Of
even greater Importance. which would
be an era in Chicago's history three
years hence-the Worlds Fair Of 1892.
After the applause had somewhat
subsidized, President Harrison advanced
slowly to the front and, bowling with
majestic dignity to the great assem-
blage, spoke as follows:
LADIES AND GENrLEMEN: Some Of my
newspaper friends have been puzzling them-
selves In order to discover the reason why
had left Washington to be present here to-
night. I do not think I need. In view Of the
spectacle presented to us here
to might IN state tho motives which have
impelled my presence. Surely no loyal citi
xens of Chicago, who sit here to night under
this witching and magnificent scene, will ask
for any other reason than that which IL here
presented. Applause.
1 do most heartily congratulate you upon
the completion and Inauguration of this
neutrality-suspicious. an equal in
this country, and, 50 far as know, without
an equal in the world. [Applause.l We have
here about us tonight In this magnificent
in this tasteful decoration, that
plause.l It might well tempt one
whose surroundings were much farther
from this scene than is the
capital city to make longer
Journey than I have done, to stand for an
hour in the view of such spectacle OF mag
nincence and grandeur and architectural
triumph as this (great applausel. and IL that
be true, surely there is reason enough why
the President may turn aside for q little
while from public duty to mingle with the
citizens in celebrating an event so high and
80 worthy Of commemOration as this triumph
to might. Prolonged applause.
Not . speech-certainly not the careless
words Of an extemporaneous speech-can
express all the sentiments I feel
In contemplating the fitting culmination of
this deed. (Applause.l Only tho voice of
arches those echoes which will tell rs the
true secrets and architectural triumphs OF
their construction. tApplause.l
You will permit me to thank you. to
thank the mayor. to thank tho presi-
dent of this association and to thank
all those good citizens with whom I
hvae to-day been brought in personal
contact. for that Kindness and respect
with which you and they have received me;
and you will permit me to thank you. my
fellow citizens. for the eordiality which you
have kindly displayed here tonight.
Il Is my wish, and it may be tho wish Of all.
that this great building may continue to be |
70 all Of your population that which it |
should bean edffice opening its doors from
night to night. calling your people here
away from the care Of business to those en- |
loyments and pursuits and entertainments |
which develop the souls Of men. [Applausel |
It Is An hour to inspire those whose minds ]
are heavy with daily toll and in this mag. |
nincencc An enchanted presence to lift them |
for time out Of the dull things into those /
higher things where men should live. |
[Great applause.
A cantata, composed for the occa-