New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-22
DEDICdTION DAY.
accordingly

Tho greatest day in Chicagos history mas
,oo, ooiobrated with splendid pomp and match
less eloouence The Columbian Exposition haS
heen dedicated with imposing military paseah's,
with impressive ceremonials, with the granu
choral music of Handel and Haydn and WIN
oratory of the highest order. Inc largest
strncture ever built by the hand OF man was
tbronged with the greatest concourse OF spec
tators ever brought together under sinse
roof What is destined to be National under
tak;np of unexamplcd magnitude and OF world
lido interest was consecrated to the highest
onds Of peace and civilization. 1t was CHI
capo's browning opportunity for demonstrating
its capacity for directing Natlohal eh'c'p'i
and worthily has it fulfilled public expectation.
The Worlds Fair, judged by the ceremohialS
Of Dedication Day and by the facility WIN
which an enormous assemblage was handieu'
nromises 10 be supreme triumph OF 1aiikcc
organizing power.
Tho Presidents place was filled by the gra-
c;ous presence of the Vice-Presldent, ana by
his side were the members of the CaDlhe' inc
Justices of the Supreme Court, the "oVeiho'S
of the States and a great company Oh uIs'ih-
ouished men from every section OIL the Union
and from every nation i'll the world. III Nds
a scene to fire the imaginations and to INSPIRE
the orators of the day with noble eio1'chce'
There was the white city of the EXposi'loh' WIN
IFS industrial palaces and harmonious aichi-
toctural lines built with Incredible raPiui'!,
fashioned with incompatible artistic SKILL and
hearing the impress of unity OF purpose ana
symmetry of design; and it was tenanted LOT
tho dav with an assembage vast In proper
tions fervid in enthusiasm, and representing IN
ronublican fellowship and democratic simplicity
all that is progressive in American CIVILIZATION.
T. was a day when the orators needed. ike
Chicaoo TO rise TO the height of supreme
opportunity. .o, ho
MIR. Depew is always at his best when DC
has theme which requires historical retrospect
and philosophical exposition. HIS Coiumoan
Grafton. in nobility of thought, in anayucai
power. in lucidity of style and IN per1ecuoh
Of literary finish, excels the many adniiraple
addresses which he has made on similar occa-
sions. Beginning on a high plane with the
flashing enigram. 1.-THE cross on Calvary was
home the cross raised Oh San Salvador was
onnortunity.'' he revealed the westward course
&c nropress and empire as his central theme,
and with sustained power and impassioned elo-
ouonco evolved from the faith of Columbus,
d,.amer and man of action the mighty works
of civil and religious liberty, and those mar
wells of American progress of which the Co
umbian Exposition is to be the transcendent
miracle. II was oratory with elements OF
statelipess betting 50 grand an occasion, ana
was characterized alike by elevation OF thought
and symmetry of form.
Mr.. Watterson's Grafton was more discursIVe
in method more rhetorical in style, and less
oomprehensive in scope but it was not without
fire and passion and was delivered with char
acterstc fervor and energy. II he found IL
difficult at short notice to emerge from the low
levels of current politics, and betrayed cyl
dence of his consciousness of the storm ana
stress of an American Presidential election, he
succeeded in fulfilling tho obligations of great
occasion in the delivery Of an exceedingly
brilliant address.
While the Worlds Fair was dedicated with
stately pageants, splendid oratory, scenes OF
he liday revelry and the tumultuous press OF a
iovous multitude, there was Pickering shadow
across the threshold of this National enterprise.
That was the absence of President Harrison,
from causes which are deplored by every sym
pathetic heart from one seabOard to the other.
The throng of spectators and Americans every
where knew why the place OF honor reserved
for the President was empty, and sorrowed for