Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-07
THE UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION.
President Carnot Touches the Elec-
trio Button,
AND THE MACHINERY MOVES
Nearly Every Nation Represented
Eciipses Everything Before At
temptcd-Thc President Makes
Sensible Speech.
Paris n Blaze of Sp,cnlor.

>
building to formally declare it open. The
preliminaries have been auspcious. The
ceremonial at Versailles, yesterday, while
not of first Importance, was dignihed and
discreet. The military display, which was
Inferior TO many have seen in Paris, was
wisely curtailed to give visitors an opportu-
nifty TO see the charms of the most beautiful
spot in Europe, whose natural loveliness is
rotcyermatcheh by it's historical associations,
in which romance and tragedy so
strangely commingled. The speeches by
the president and others were charac
terzed alike by tact and taste
and there was not solitary marring Incl
dent. The blank cartridge discharged by
the maudliu sensationalist, who today was
ascertained TO be n harmless imbecile, de-
serving only pity, has already been for
gotten. Everywhere the demonstrations
were unqualified. 1t discomfort prevailed,
it remained away from Versailles, and has
up TO this time, at least, uttered no sound
and gwen no sign. The talismanic spell of
thrift sOOtheS whatever OF political rancor
may seek vent under other circumstances.
The trivial episode of General Boulaugers
election to the municipal council OF st. Oucn
yesterday arouscs little interest.
AS he stands under the dome of the expo
siton building President Carnot is seen to
lvantage. He is small in physique, straight
wiry and resolute, while amlability OF char
thin lips that may be depended upon for rigor
when required. He impresses the observer
rs being II keen man, retlcent rather than
volble, more decisive than eager, a fair
and tenacious man. His political experience
is extensive in legislation and administra-
tion. While there are more renowned
statesmen than he in France, it is manifest
he has combined in an exceptional degree
those traits and attainments that adapt him
10 the epoch through which France is pass
ng-a constructive and defensive period, in
winch it is essential to maintain order with
out infringing upon liberty, and to encour-
age and strengthen the moral sense of pco-
pie in support of self government, while ed
ucation, manufacture, commerce and taxa
ton are brought into national equilibrium.
Premier Iirard who stands at the presi-
dents side overshadows him in the exter-
ais of manhood. He is a vigorous, even
powerful, man, of strong features, and has
finely developed head. He recalls Mr.
Blaine. He is older than President Carnot,
who is fiftytwo, and does not look more than
forty five. Near the president and the pre-
mier is the radical of the cabinet, the poIiti-
cal economist Guyot, the minister of pubic
works, whose functions include many OF the
most important of the secretary of
> the treasury, with most of those
of the secretary of the interior.
Other members of the cabinet surrounded
the president, reinforced by able men of
affairs who have successfully conducted the
exposition through four and u half years of
reparaton-Lockray, Rouvier, LcGrandc
Berger, Dautresme and Christophlle, the
aplcst of bureau heads
The presidents cortegc arrived at the eX-
position, escorted by a brilliant corps of
cuirassiers, whose breast plates and helmets
flashed back the pleasant May-da sun.
The crystal tones of the great
clock struck two, the trumpcts poured forth
their strains and the entire assembly under
the dome arose to its feet 1t was a spectacle
worth remembering. The nation has sup
piled during the centuries of its monarchy
and empire many gorgeous spectacles for
artists TO preserve, for POETS to chant and for
philosophers to discuss, but at no time since
the days of the great Louis were great lib
erty moral power, beauty and democracy so
picturesqucly harmonized as at this moment.
Conceive great circle formed under the
dome suggestive OF st. Pau $, decorations
reaching to the apex, noble in symbolism and
allusion, the art and literature of all
countries noted by ingenious and graceful
devices, the names of the worlds greatest
emblazoned i'll gold letters, the various en-
blcms of civilization arranged pictOrially
upon segment of arches and colossal
freize extending entirely around the base OF
the dome composed of magnificent process
sonal national types Of all races bearing ap-
propriate offerings. Beneath this luminous
and rich roof are hundreds of arm chairs,
single chairs and benches, all in gold
upholsterng, with arms in crimson
brocade or velvet, and das,
arrayed with heavy red draperies for the
president and his train. Extending IN the
lines of a parnlelogram, with an endless
places all in red velvet, for senators and
deputies, judges, heads of departments,
chiefs of bureaus mayors, members of the
great councils of the French academy, and
the Institute OF France, the clergy ana civil
functionarieS.
The surprise of the day was the presence
of all the diplomatic representatives now in
Paris. While their governments declined To
permit thom officially to assist in the open,
ing of the exposition personal goodwill, and,
possibly, private curiosity, have overcome
the prohibition, and they were all uuotllcially
present The letters of their instructions
have been kept, while the spirit is broken.
1t is Il sight that can be seen nowhere ex
ccpt in Paris. All, except the Japanese,
who have adopted the European
garb plus an unlimited amount OF
gold lace, all knots and tassels
are in the dress of their respective
courts. Only one foreign representative is
In aUsterc black unrelieycd by any deCora
ton. This is Robert McLane, the retiring
minister of the United States, who is greeted
with cordial warmth on every side. There
pass near his place, on the benches provided
for ambassadors, Orientals with white teeth
flashing from under their curled brown
moustachcs. Hiudoos in white cloaks and
capuchins, Africans with feathered cir
clets in their headgear, the Chinese
minister with long suite OF
yellow attendants among whom there is
not young man, and fuil-blooded Moors
the contrast between whose swarthy shihs
and silky white drapeIies of nuns velling il
occasionally relieved by the raising Of a deli
cate ieweled hand TO direct an opera glass
upon the gallery overhead. Everywhere is
seen the broad red ribbon of the Legion OF
Honor and the cross of the same distinction
Generals, Scared and feeble, are assisted TO
their places by young officers. Hoary veter.
ans occupy the front row of chairs near the
dais, some OF them on crutches, the survivors
of many wars,
After the Marseillaise had been played by
picked orchestra and sung by a chorus oi
mems voices, Premier rirard rose and de
lvcred the opening speech. At its Close
the au dience cheered enthusiastically anl
1irard was warmly congratulated.
President Carnot then rose TO read his
speech. His voice is shrill, but audible Hi,
speech is well thought out. His perora
tion is delivered with earnestness
Every word is safe, prudent
plausible and generous He has not sei2eI
upon national occasion 70 glOrify party
10 fiattcr faction, or 10 rritato the unthiuk
ing, he has made no allusou 10 hostile gov
crnments, but mas spoken magnaImuusl'
and Justly of foreign peoples. He has no
gorited France unduly, but humanity sti.
more.
AT the conclusion OF his speech and tn
finish of the musical programme, Presldcu
Garnet descended drom the dOs an'
N ahn atz