, 1889-12-12
THE PRESIDENT's ADDRESS.

" TNDDAhNF'N'
After the applause had somewhat sub
sided President Harrison advanced
slowly to the front, and bowling 10 tie
Ladies' and Gentleman: All of my
newspaper friends have been puzlling
themselves in order TO discover the rea-
son why left Washington to be present
here tonight. ] do not think / need
on view Of the magnificent spectacle pre-
sented to us here tonight to state the
motives which have inpelled my pres
ence. Surely no loyal citizen of Chi
cago who sits here tonight under this
bewitching and magnificent scene will
ask for any other reason than that which
is here presented. Applause l do
most heartily congratulate you upon
the completion and inauguration of this
in this country, and, so far
as | know, without an
equal in the world. Applause
We have here about us tonight in this
magnificent architecture and in this
tasteful decoration that which is an
education and an inspiration. [Ap-
plausel. II might well tempt one whose
surroundings were much farther re-
moved from this scene than is the capi-
tai city TO make q longer journey than
l have done and stand for an hour in
view of such spectacle of magnificence
and grandeur and architectural triumph
as this. Applause.l .
And ifthat be true surely there is reason
enough why the president may turn
aside for little while from public duty
to mingle with tho citizens in celebrat-
ing an event so high and so worthy OF
commemoration as the triumph tonight.
Prolonged applause. No speech, cer-
tainly not the careless words of an ex-
temporaneous speech, can adequately
al tho sanfimpnfe faol .,
contemplating the culminaton of the
deed. iApplausc. Only the voice OF
an immortal singer can cause to ring in
these arches those echoes which tell us
the true secrets and architectural tri-
umphs of their construction. [Ap-
you will permit me to thank the
mayor. to thank the president of this
association, and all those good citizens
with whom l to-day have been brought
in personal contact, for the kindness and
respect with which you have received
me, and you will permit me to thank
you, my fellow citizens, for the cordial.
me here tonight. 1t is my wish, and
may it be the wish OF all, that this
great building may continue to be to all
Of us the popular place II should be, an
edifice opening its doors from night to
night calling people here. away from
tn6 CaIcS vi W tHcst clJON-
ments and pursuits aud entertainments
which develop the souls of men. 1T Is
an hour to inspire those whose minds
are heavy with daily trials, and in the
magnificent enchanted presence to lift
them for time out of these
dull things into higher things, where
men should live" Great applause.
THE EVENINGS ENTERTAINMENTS
A contata, composed for the occasion,
was then sung by a chorus of 500 voices,
after which Hon. John \. Runnells of
Chicago delivered an address.
Then Madame Patti escorted by Man
ager Adams, appeared and was received
with tremendous applause. In tones
that had lost none of their sweetness or
power the world-famed cantatrice sang
the familiar melody Home, sweet
Home" Tho expected encore followed,
and Patti responded with the Hunters
Chorus" which afforded wonderful evI-
dencc OF the power and fexibility Other
marvellous voice. Repeated atten,pts
were made to elicit another song, but
she responded with smiling bows of
acknowledgement and retired.
Two selections were rendered by the
Apollo club. and a concert by the organ
and orchestra followed, after which Gov
ernor Fifer of Illinois delivered the ded-
icatory address. The exercises of the
evening closed with the "Hallelujah
Chorus by the Apollo club, which was
joined in by the audience.