The record-union., 1892-10-20
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

CHICAGO, Oct 19.-The dedicatory ex
ercises OF the Worlds Columbian Expo
sition were inaugurated to-day, begin
ming with the reception and entertain
ment of distinguished visitors, and fol-
lowed this evening by a formal inaugural
reception by citizens to the guests Of
honor. a pleasing prelude was the Co
lumbus Day" celebration this afternoon
by thousands of school children through
out the city.
ELABORATE arrangements had been made
to give the ceremonies that official char
acter which should attend an enterprise
of such international and representative
Importance, and the Worlds Fair city
was attired i'll costumes of many colors.
From every important edifce in the city,
from every peak and pinnacle, from every
balcony and window, suspended colors
We're invoked for adornment of the occa-
sion. The stars and stripes naturally
~predominated but col0rs of all nations
. mingled in producing a grand effect.
Though sometimes the stars and stripes
were omitted, d triangle banner of terra
Gotta and white, selected by the city for
the occasion, was never wanting in the
decorations. Portraits of Columbus were
seen everywhere, and for the first time
since the National Conventions familiar
features of political leaders were called
down and obscured by portraits of CO.
lumbus, Isabella or Washington.
Every train brings hundreds of visitors,
and many of the most important partici-
pants III the official ceremonies are al
ready on the ground. To be added to
ul
being here must be Cardinal Gibbons and
party, consisting of Archbishop Satolli
Papal delegates; MOnsignor O'Connell and
others.
To the ball tonight four thousand
prominent citizens have been hidden TO
participate in the reception rendered to
the Nice-President, eX-President of the
United States, representatives of foreign
Governments, Governors OF States and
Territories and other distinguished citi-
zens. 1t took place at the Auditorium
ballroom. ana early in the evening bril-
liant scenes We're witnessed thereabouts
a dense crowd of people, closely packed
for hours, viewed abe brilliant decora-
tons and notables as they arrived.
Once within the great auditorium, the
first impression was that resulting from
the flood of light, almost dazzling to the
unaccustomed eyes. The stage curtain
was raised, and the flooring extended
over the entire orchestra pit. smooth
and tempting to dancers. The lower
tier Of boxes extended in a circle
around the rear of the stage, above which
was located the orchestra. 4 siIken ban
ner of the Spanish royalty. was sus-
pended directly over the center of the
stage. On either side and Immediately
over the boxes were banners, each con-
tanning initials of Ferdinand and Isabella.
In front of the organ was displayed a
large United States shield, surmounted
by a stand of colors, stars and stripes in
the center, flanked on either side by flags
of all the American Republics. The cor
responding position on the south side
bore shield of Spain, surmounted by
Spanish colors. On either side were flags
OF every nation in the Oh world, the
colors of Spain and Italy being given
preference. OF flowers, there was none
among the decorations, but FROM Ala
bama had been brought a carload of wild
smilaX, which festooned the faces of the
balcony and gallery.
And so the great hall greeted the COM
ing throng.