The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-08
A DRESS REHEARSAL.
PRELIMINARY DEDICATION OF THE
WORLDS FAIR IN OCTOBER.
Grand Pageants on Land ana Lake 10
Re Reviewed by tho President-Three
DAYS Festivities. for Which 100000
Has Eeen Appropriated.
lsnecIal Correspondence.l


city are aware of the fact. and hence Ii Is
not perhaps 10 be wondered at that this
correspondence will practically be the ilrst
intimation 70 the people OUTSIDE OF tho
Windy City that the buildings OF the
Worlds fair are 70 be Dedicated with cere-
monies on a scale Of grandeur and impress
iyeness which would do honor 10 tho coro-
nation Of king or queen.
At least tbree-quarters Of million OF
people from outside Of Chicago, and pretty
well the entire population Of the city IL
self. ought 70 face President Harrison
when he rises in his place upon the plat
form and declares thestructures dedicated
to the Uses for which they have been de-
signed and constructed. At any rate, this
is what Secretary Culp thinks, and as tho
festivities are 10 cover a period OF three
DAYS and three nights, and as, moreover,
something in the neighbOrhOod OF 22OOOOO
are 10 be spent upon them, there seems 10
be no reason why the three-quarters of
million should not come and go away con
tented and satisfied. Certain it is that it
will not be tho fault of Chicago If they do
not.
Appropriately enough-for will not the
exposition be, 20 very large degree,
great dress parade of the handiwork OF
men and women citizons the world over
the ceremonies will commence with a civic
procession. This will take place on Tues
day, oct H. The details Of this event are
now being arranged, and it is pretty GER
tain that it will be representative OF about
every known trade and profession. IL will
be reviewed by President Harrison, and
the patience of the chief executive Is likely
TO be taxed for very many hours will
needs be occupied in passing the reviewing
stand
In the evening there viii be a dress re-
hearsal of what is confidently expected
will be one Of tho greatest attractions OF
the fair, "1he Procession OF the Centu-
ries." a water pageant illustrating the
early condition of this country, important
events in the life OF Columbus, salient facts
in American history and subjects illustra-
tive of mechanical invention and the de-
velopment Of the industries of this country
The floats, which have been designed by
W. I. Wells and will be built by Fawcett
Robinson, TO whose genius in this direction
many of Lond0ns lord mayor shows have
been indebted for their most striking fea-
lures, will number twenty-four, each
manned bymen and women in appropriate
costumes Here are the SUBJECTS
/. The Aboriginal Age; representing
American Indians O. The Stone Age
representing the Cliff Dwellers and the
Toltecs. B. The Bronze Age; representing
the Aztecs, their religious rites etc. 4
Columbus before the court Of Ferdinand
and Isabella. o. Departure Of Columbus
from Palos. O. Discovery Of America. T.
Columbus before the court Of Ferdinand
and Isabella, presenting natives and the
strange products Of the new country.
English cavaliers and the settlement OF
Jamestown o. Hendrick Hudson; discoy-
cry of the Hudson river; Dutch settlement
at New Amsterdam. 10. Landing OF the
Pilgrims and illustrations Of Puritan
life. II. Ferdinand de Soto; discovery OF
the Mississippi Il. Pierre Marquette,
Chevalier La Sale and the northwest
- Washington aud his contempt
raries Il. Signing Of the Declaration
Of Independence. -. Union OF the
colonies the thirteen original states; tho
sisterh0Od Of the great republic; welcOm-
ing the territories 20 the constellation
Of states. 1G Westward the Course Of
Empire Takes It's WayW H. The genius
Of invention; application Of steam, etc lS.
Electricity aud electrical appliances. IS.
War; representing yalOr, sacrifice, power,
death, devastation 20. Peace; represent
ing tranquility security, prosperity, hap
piness. 81. Agriculture. ~. Mining. %.
Science, art and literature b. Universal
freedom Of ma1 equal rights, law and
justice; liberty enlightening the world.
The booming OF cannon and the steady
tramp, tramp of military will usher IN the
morn of dedication day Contingents TO
the number Of 10, GOO will bee here from the
national guards OF every state, and they
will fraternize with some 5000 members Of
the regular army under the command Of
General Nelson A. Miles, L. 3. A. Soon
after the sun has made his appearance in
the heavens the procession will be on the
move and President Harrison will act as
reviewing officer
Upon the grand stand, to the right and
left OF the president Of the United States
and his constitutional advisers, will be
ranged the Justices of the United States
and state supreme courts, the governors Of
the states and territories the representa-
tives at Washington Of foreign countries
numerous delegations from abroad, the
members Of the national and local commits
sions and distinguished people from every
walk Of life 10 total Of az least $500
souls. Below, covering every foot Of space
and filing every nook and corner, will DO
a vast concourse Of humanity The mu.
steal features will be rendered by a chill
dren's chorus Of 1000 voices, which has
been in training for nearly "a year.
Bishop Charles II. Fowler, the eminent
Methodist divine, will come all the way
from California TO deliver the opening
prayer President Harrison will pronounce
the formal dedication, and as his voice
dies away the tens OF thousands Of voices
will join in the hallelujah chorus from
Handel's Messiah" Congressman w. G.
+. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky, has been
chosen 90 deliver the dedicatory Grafton,
and Miss Harriet Monroe is now engaged
upon the dedicarOry ode. IL will alone DO
worth coming a long distance TO hear this
vast assembly join n singing the Star
Spangled Banner"
OF course the ladies are 20 be heard from,
and on the third day, oct. -, they will
have their inning. The programme con
templates the dedication OF the Women's
building with elaborate ceremonies, To be
participated in by women from every state
in the Union and from many foreign
counties. In the evening the novel and
extraordinary water pageant will be re
peated. Magnificent displays Of fireworks
are also on the programme, and these will
cost not less than 10000 night. Secretary