The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-22
A MEMoRARLE scENE.


The scene presented by the vast
gathering in the dedication building
was ono never to be forgotten. In many
respects it was without precedent.
Everything was on the order OF the su-
perlatiye. The dedication hall-the
manufacturers and liberal arts building
is the largest structure ever erected,
and in 1t was gathered the largest crowd
ever assembled beneath single roof.
In the audience were probably more
distinguished Americans than has ever
been seen together on any commemora-
tive occasion in the history OF the re-
public.
Christopher Columbus. This was the
name that was on every lip, in every
odeandsong, that crownedevery perora-
ton that found utterance in the open
jng prayer and was softly breathed in
closing benediction. All did him honor;
and time, that ripens and nellows the
gratitude OF nations after four hundred
years, gives greatest homage to his
memory, The president oil the exposi-
tion claimed him as tho author OF the
national development OF this age and
hemispherei the eloquent Depew char
acterizCd him as II pioneer Of art,
science, invention and higher civiliza-
ton, who had sailed from a country
where force was the solo source and
exercise OF authority both by church
and state" and the great Catholic Car
dinal Gibbons, almost the same min
ute claimed him as q jealous represen-
tative OF Rome, an "apostlo who was
inspired with the sublime ambition oil
carrying the light Of the gospel to q
people buried in the darkness OF idola-
try"
II remained to a woman to pronounce
the only suspicion of disparagement OF
Columbus. In an address nearly twice
as long as the average orations of the
day, Mrs. Palmer, OF the board oil lady
managers, only mentioned the great
navigator once, and that was to declare
tho fact that the general government
has just discovered women to be Of
more importance than Columbus dis
coyery Of America.
The addresses OF Chauncey NJ. Depew,
Of New York, and Henry Watterson, of
kentueky, wore we'll received and &C.
cepied as highly appTeciative to the
occasion. The reception accorded the
great Kentucky editor amounted almost
10 an ovation, and il was evident there
vas an intense decision on tho part Of
the Chicago portion OF the audience to
alone for that discourtesy aud criticism
which impolled Congressman Brecken-
ridge TO decline the honor OF delivering
The chief grafton Of the day.
as the morning wore on the people
began to turn themselves loose, and by
Soclocs tho thoroughiares in tile CEN
Ter could be likened to nothing else
Than flowing streams OF humanity,
rushing, crushing, but good-natured
vthal. The million and hall OF visit
ors, for verify such crowds, such
hrongs, such loaded down street cars
and carriages and wagons, such great
masses Of living and breathing clay had
never before. been seen in any city on
this continent.
The procession OF invited guests
iormed near the Auditorium aud pro.
eeeded southwark to jackson Park,
Where tho exercises took place. In tho
Unavoidable absence OF President Har-
nson. Vico President Morton was the
guest Of honor. Ho occupied ear.
nnase with the president OF the Worlds
columbian Commission. In other car
Hases were the members Of the cabinet