The record-union., 1892-10-22
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oN.

CHICAGO, Oct. 2l.-In the presence of
100000 people, amid the echoes of the
largest chorus assembled in the history
of modern times, and under the arches of
the largest building ever constructed in
the history of architecture, the Worlds
Columbian Exposition was formally ded-
icated to-day in the great Hall of Manu-
features and Liberal Arts by the digni-
taries of the Nation. The event is one
well designed to inspire the loyalty of the
American heart, marking as it did the
first international exposition to be par
ticipated in by every civilized nation of
the globe. The occasion was equally sig
nificant in being DEVOID of that pomp
and pageantry which have characterized
the worlds fairs of monarchicaI Europe.
The scene presented by the vast gather
ing in the dedication building was one
never to be forgotten. In many respects
it was without precedent. Everything
was in the order of the superlative. The
dedication hall is the largest structure
ever erected, and in it was gathered the
largest crowd ever assembled beneath a
single roof. In the audience there were
probably more distinguished Americans
than have ever been seen together on
any commemorative occasion in the his
tory of the republic.
- Learned jurists from the bench, Cabi-
net officers, Governors of States, Sem
ators, Congressman, Admirals and Cen
erals, with all their regalia of authority,
Cardinals with their insignia of apostolic
faith, scientists who are fast wrestling
from tho Of
all these are gathered here to-day to do
honor to the great silent student of four
hundred years ago, who in his way was
the pioneer of them all, who led the van
of human thought and manly daring and
gave the world new continent and to
posterity imperishable reverence for
Christopher Columbus. This was the
name on every lip, in every ode and song;
that crowned deverypreroration; that found
utterance in the opening prayer and was
softly breathed in the closing benedic-
ton. All did him honor, and time. that
ripens and mellows the gratitude of ma
tons, after four hundred years gives the
grandest homage TO his memory and
name. AS seven Grecian villages claimed
the birthplace of Homer, after he had
begged his bread throughout their streets
anu ulOlue16u unnOnOTCQ INTO aust, so art
and science and invention and religion all
We'd to-day in claiming Columbus as their
own.
At o'clock this morning the cannon
out IN the darkness on the lake in front of
the park was set ADJOINING. That was
the way the notables in nearby hotels
were awakened to the fact that the day of
the dedication had been born and was
moving on toward daylight and its COM
ing should make it heavy in history AS
the dawn broke the skies were clear and
the sun broke bright and red over the
eastern lake horizon, bringing assurance
TO the assembled thousands that they
should see and hear and shout and 90
way unsoaked. Business houses were
closed and everybody afoot early to par
uclpate in the momentous exercises
Hours before the time for them to begin
Lines OF pilgrims toward the magnificent
city OF white palaces at Jackson Park
began to wend their way. There were
10000 chairs in the great Manufacturers
Hall, and tickets were issued to MANY
thousands more for admission to the
park, but the great mass of unticketed
began to line up along Michigan avenue
to see the notables of the occasion pro-
ceed under military escort down that
magnificent thoroughtare to the exposi-
ton grounds.
THE START.
Soon after o'clock this morning there
was the clatter OF hoof and the clank of
side-arms along Michigan avenue of the
troops of the United States cavalry from
the military camp in Washington Park.
on the way TO the Auditorium to escort
the notable guests to the dedicatory cere-
monies at Jackson Park, seven miles
away. Behind the galloping troopers
came pounding along the great avenue
the batteries OF the nited States artil-
lery. The rumble of the wheels. the
clatter of harness-chains and the occa-
siOnal shout OF the mounted riders woke
the people. who saw that Chicago's great
Columbian Day was on, and here were
the foreriders of the pomp that should
make 1t as big day III local as IL would
be III national history.
Taxing position near the Auditorium.
these regulars awaited the appearance OF
the notabiities upon whom they should
attend. Shortly after troop of beauti-
fully mounted and richly uniformed
cavalrymen from the State of New \ York
clattered In from a side street and took
position as an escort to Governor Flower.
These Were followed in turn by the State
mllltiamen from Pennsylvania and other
states as escorts to their respective Gov
ernors.
All O'clock the distinguished men of
the occasion entered their carriages and
the start for the fair grounds was made,
the United states troopers, artillerymen
and other mounted escorts taking up the
Laarch OF attendants.