The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-22
THE DEDICATION.
The Splendid Programme Carried out-A
Magnificent speotnole.

Magnificent Spectacle.
WORLDS FAIR GRouSDs, CnIcAGo, Oct
2l.-The throng OF a century. The
scene of lifetime. A spectacle that
should in the coming years mark an
epoch in the march Of the nations OF the
earth. And when away on in the time
that is to come, American history shall
DO written, no man in the chill OF calm
thought will be able ever to paint with
words the dedicatory scene OF this day.
1t must be done on thespot, but nanght
save pen of light and thought OF in
finite flush could hope to draw out with
faithful accuracy the great picture that
was rooted by the hall OF dedication
when the ceremonies had begun. How
then with finite man should the people
OF the earth be led to see and feel the
pulse OF the occasion?
Does one who was not present gain
any notice of the meaning OF the mass
es OF packed humanity. Will New
Workers have an impression OF what
could be done in building where the
Grand Central station and the Pennsyi-
yania depot at Jersey City might be
placed without crowdIng and then sew
eral city blocks be tucked away in the
interstices? What does it mean to say
that 10000 persons may be comfortably
seated and room left for seventy-fve
thousand more, too?
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
The programme was opened at 1880
by the rendition OF the columbian
March" followed by prayer by Bishop
G. IL. Fowler, of California, aud the in
troductory address by the director gem
eral, who said:
DRECToR-GESERAL DAVIS.
LADIES AND GENrLEMEE:-By virtue OF
my official position it is my pleasurable
duty to present the noted personages
who, at this hour, in their several iunc-
tions, are to contribute to the exercises
with which we here dedicate the
grounds and buildings OF the Worlds
Columbian Exposition.
In presence so vast, on an occasion
so pre.cminent in the progress OF uni
versal affairs, am moved by emotions
that can sweep q human heart but once
in life. Awe overmasters inspiration,
and both are lost in gratitude that am
permitted to inaugurate these ceremo-
nies.
Tho citizens OF our common country
may be pardoned the pride and satis-
faction with which We study the his
toric steps by which our people have
been led to their present exalted posi-
ton.
OF the great nations OF the world, the
United States is the youngest; our re-
sources are equal to those OF any other
nation. Our sixty millions OF people
are among the most intelligent, cul-
tured, happy and prosperous of man
kind. But what we are and what we
possess as n nation is not ours by pur-
chase, nor by conquest, but by virtue OF
the rich heritage that was spread out
beneath the sun and stars, beneath the
storms and rains and dews, beneath the
frosts and SHOWS, ages before David,
a Homer, or u Virgil sang, or before
Italy's humble and immortal son had
dreamed his dream OF discovery.
Nature has given us virgin soil OF
incompatible richness and variety. Our
climate is so diversified that all the
fruits Of tree and vino r!pen under our
autumnal skies.
The great seas that form our boun-
daries, and with their ebb and flow
bathe our shores, are rich with all the
treasures OF the deep.
The granite vaults OF our mountain.
chains are stored with untold mineral
wealth.
In the prodigality OF nature, bounti-
full provision has been made for our
multiplying people, and in times of
emergency, from our grea. abundance
wo may succor and comfort the dis
tressed and afflicted OF other lands.
A single century has placed this peo-
pie side by side with the oldest and
most advanced nations Of the world;
nations with 4 history OF thousand
years.
The Worlds Columbian exposition is
tho natural outgrowth OF this nations
place in history. Our continent, dis
covered by Christopher Columbus,
whose spirits were revived us his cause
was espoused by the generous-hearted
Queen OF Spain, has, throughout all the
years from that time 10 this, been q
haven to nll VINO saw here the promise
| OF required toll, oil liberty ana OF peace.
The ceaseless, resistless march OF
civilization. westward, ever eastward,
has reached and passed the great lakes
OF North America, and has founded on
their iarthest shore tho greatest city OF
modern times. Chicago, the peerless
has been selected tor the great celebra-
,ion which to-day gives new FIRE to
progress, and sheds its light upon ayes
vet to come. Established in the heart
OF this continent, her pulse throbs with
the quickening current OF our national
life. And that this city was selected as
the scene OF this great commemorative
festival was the natural outgrowth OF
prodestiHed events. Here all nations
arc to meet in peaceful, laudable omu-
laeon in the fields OF art, science and
industry, on tho fields OF research. iu-
veation and scholarship, and TO learn
tho universal value Of the discovery we
commemorate; to learn, as could be
learned in no other way, the nearness
Of man 10 man, the Fatherhood OF God