The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-21
The Columbian oslebrat,ons.

Aus OGAGOLaLAOuE.
The dedication of the worlds fair, which
takes place in Chicago to-day, is an affair
of national Observation-Disclosures i'm
p1rtance, in fact, because the fair will show
the march of progress Of the civilized world
during the past 400 years. The festivities
Of the week in Chicago really began on
Wednesday, with public school celebrations,
ball and reception to certain official
visitors Yesterday a great civic parade
was held, and last night there were various
receptions to army, navy and national
guard men. To-day, however. is to be the
great day Of the week, when a long pro
gramme OF singing. speech-making, ETC.,
viii be carried out, the principal address be-
iug delivered by the Hon. Henry Waiter
son, Of Kentucky.
History says that Columbus landed on
Oct. u, and the celebration in New York
city last week commemorated that date.
Nevertheless the exercises In Chicago will
cover the anniversary Of the real day on
which the discovery of the new world was
made. This results from the correction Of
the Julian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII.
in 1882, when ten days were stricken out in
order TO restore the equinox to its proper
place. By this correction all dates previ-
GUS to 1882 fall ten days later, and oonse-
queutly Oct. II Of the old style Of reckon
ing is really Oct. % Of the present style.
The selection of Friday, Oct. 81, as the day
for the principal exercises in Chicago was
because Columbus set sail from Pelos on
Friday, discovered the island which is sup
posed to be Guauahani on Friday. began
his return voyage to Spain on Friday, and
made the port of Palos on Friday. March
Is, 1893. Friday seems, therefore, the most
appropriate day for tho chief dedicatory
exercises. but, in fact. the exercises on Sat-
urday, Oct. %, will commemorate the
actual day of discovery.
The extraordinary rush of visitors to
Chicago, as reported in the MORNING NEWS
yesterday, indicates that the events OF to-
day will be worthy of the occasion. The
advanced condition of the fair grounds and
buildings justifles the belief that those visit
ors who see the grounds this week will be SO
much pleased with the enormous and splen-
did affair that they will return TO their
homes determined to do all in their power
to increase the exhibits Of their states and
make the fair what it should be-a standard
by which future worlds fairs will have to
be measured.
The expenditures for all departments OF
the fair, so far, have amounted to 81, 800
III. OF this large sum S8,5l5, 4S9 ~ have
gone into buildings. the size and beauty of
which, when finished, will surpass those
constructed for the housing OF any previous
international exhibition. 1hs park in
which they are placed forms an appropriate
setting for these marvellous structures, and
all the accessories will be In accord with
the generous plans on which the exhibition
is projected. But probably more interest
ing than the fair itself, 70 most visitors,
will be the city in which 1t is held
However, Chicago is not the only city
that will hold Columbian celebration TO-
day, In the majority Of the cities and towns
Of the country there will be exercises of
some kiad held In oommemoration of the
great discovereT aud his great discovery.
The day has been made a holiday In most Of
the states, Georgia Included, by guberna-
torial proclamation, and business In many
cities will be partly suspended during por-
ton Of tho day. In this city the celebration
of the day will be confined to the public
schools, in which Columbus literature will
be read and Columbus addresses made.