Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-07
BEYOND TEE ATLANTIC.
GRAND OPENING OF THE PARIS
EXPOSITION.
Address of President Carnot-De,
scription OF the Interior-Five
Lives Lost OF Nova Scotia.
lsrre1AL DISPATCHES TO THE RsoonD-usros.l
PARIS EXPOSITION.
President Carnot Formally Declares 1t
Open-Incidepts.

L kCSA0ohe SesAnOe AoA haby OcCAATtS IL
Open-Incidents.
PARIS, May 6th.-At o'clock this after
noon, surrounded by his Ministers and
many distinguished guests, President Car
not stood under the great dome of the Ex-
position building, formally to declare it
open. The prelimin aries had been au-
spicious. The ceremonial at Versailles yes-
terdav, while not of first importance, was
dignified and discreet. The military dis
play, which was inferior to many / have
seen in Paris, was wisely curtailed to give
visitors an opportunity 10 see the charms
of the most beautiful spot in Europe,
whose natural ] veliness is not over
matched by its historical association, in
which romance and tragedy are so strange
ly commingled. The speeches by the
President and others were characterized
alike by tact and taste, and the solitary
marring incident was the blank cartridge
discharged by maudlin sensationalist,
who to-day was ascertained to be harm
less imbecile, deserving only pity, and it
has already been forgotten.
Everywhere the demonstrations were un-
qualified. If any discomfort prevailed it
remained away from Versailles, and has.
up to this time at least, uttered no sound
and given no sign. A talismanic spell of
thrift soothes whatever of political rancor
may seek under other circumstances. The
trivial episode of General Boulanger' s
election to a municipal council yesterday
reused but little interest. As he stands
under the dome of the Exposition build
ing President Carnot is seen to advantage
He is small in physique, straight, wiry and
resolute. While the amiabillty of his charac-
ter is expressed in the relaxation of his
thin lips, they may be depended on for
rigor when required. He impresses the
observer as being keen man, more re-
ticent than voluble, decisive than eager, a
clear and tenacious man.
His political experience is extensive both
IN legislation and administration, while
there is no more renowned statesman than
he in France. 1t is manifest that he has
combined in an exceptional degree those
traits and attainments that adapt him to
the epoch through which France is now
passing-a constructive and defensive Pc
Rod, in which it is essential to maintain
order without infringing upon liberty, and
to encourage and strengthen the moral
sense of the people in support of self. gov
ernment, while education, manufactures,
commerce and taxation are brought into
national equilibrium.
Premier Tirard, who stands at the Presi-
dents side, overshadows him in the ex.
ternals of manhood. He is a vigorous,
even powerful man, of strong features,
and has finely developed head. He re-
calls to ones mind Mr.. Blaine. He is older
than President Carnot, who is fifty-two,
and does not look more than forty-five.
Near the President and Premier is the
radical of the Cabinet and the political
economist, Yoes Guyot, the Minister OF
Public Works, whose functions include
many of the most important of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury.
Other members of the Cabinet surround
the President, reinforced by able men OF
affairs who have successfully conducted the
Exposition through four and half years
Lockray, Rouvier, LIE Grand, Berger,
Dautresne and Christosehile, the ablest OF
bureau heads.
The Presidents cortege arrived at the
Exposition grounds escorted by brilliant
corps of cuirassers, whose ast-plates and
helmets flashed back the pleasant May day
sun.
When the crystal tones of the great clock
struck 2 the trumpets poured forth their
strains. and the entire assembly under the
dome arose to its feet. II was spectacle
worth remembering. The French ma
ton has supplied during centuries of its
monarchy and empire many gorgeous
spectacles for artists to preserve, for poets
to chant and philosophers to discuss, but at
no time since the days of the great Louis
were liberty and moral power of beauty
and democracy so picturesque and harmon
lied as at this moment. The concerve, a
great circle formed under the dome, was
suggestive of st. Pauls decorations, reach
ing 10 the apex, noble in its symbolism
and allusion TO art and literature of all
countries, noted by ingenious and graceful
-.
men emblazoned in gold letters, various
emblems of civilization arranged pictorial
ly upon segments of arches, and the colos-
sal freize extending entirely around the
base, composed of magnificent process
sion of national types of all races, bear
ing appropriate offerings. Beneath this
luminous and rich roof are hundreds of
arm chairs, single chairs and benches, all
in gold upholstery, with arms in crimson
brocade or velvet, and dias arranged with
heavy red draperies for the President and
his train.
Extending in lines parallelogram with
the endless vista through the palace of fine
arts are places, all in red velvet, for the
Senators and Deputies, Judges, heads of
Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, Mayors,
memb bers of great councils, French Acad-
emy, Institute of France, clergy and civil
functionaries.
The surprise of the day was the presence
OF all the diplomatic representatives now
in Paris. While their Governments de-
clined to permit them, officially, to assist
in the opening of the Exposition, their per-
sonal goodwill, and possibly private curios-
ity, have overcome the prohibition and
they were all, unofficially, present. The
letters of their instructions have been kept,
while the spirit is broken.
1t is sight that can be seen nowhere
except 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 repre-
sentative is in austere black unrelieved by
any decoration. This is Robert McLane,
the retiring Minister of the United States,
who is greeted with cordial warmth on
every side as they pass near his place. On
benches provided for ambassadors are
Orientals with teeth flashing from under
their curled brown mustaches, Hindoos
in white cloaks and capuchins, Africans
with feathered circle in their headgear, the
Chinese Minister with long suit of yellow
attendants looking like elegant grotesoue
figures, among whom there is not young
man, and full-blooded Moors, the contrast
between whose swarthy skins and the
silky white draperies of nun 8 yelling was &C.
casionally relieved by the raising of delicate,
jeweled hands to direct the 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
veterans occupy the front row of chairs
near the dais, some of them on crutches,
the survivors Of many wars.
After the "MaTseillaise" had been played
by picked orchestra and sung by a chorus
of mems voices, Premier Tirard arose and
delivered the opening speech. At its close
the audience cheered enthusiastically, and
Tirard was warmly congratulated. Presi-
dent Carnot then rose to read his speech.
His voice is shrill but audible. His speech
is well thought of, and his peroration was
delivered with considerable earnestness.
Every word was safe, prudent, plausible
and generous. He has not seized upon the
national occasion to glorify any party, to
flalter faction, or to irritate the unthink-
ing. He has made allusion to hostile Gov
ernments, but has spoken magnanimously
and justly of foreign people. He has not
glorited France unduiy, but humanity still
more.
At the conclusion of his speech and the
conclusion of the musical programme
President Carnot descended from the dais
and walked down the main aisle of the
gallery of fine arts toward the center, where
he touched several electric buttons. In 9
moment the fountains of the Exposition