The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-16
,lrrALplNG rIIE WORLDS FAIn.

r,puu s iiaiisJ's Mig Spectacle, to BIO
rrodacrd horo on Thuradny.
The majority OF the big events in the
3 history Of this planet have been herald
al by a something or other that put the
nations in u receptive mood for what
was to follow. In later time, for exam.
plc, instance, might be multiplied Of
mi, phenomena. There we're periods
oJ mnt,crings on tho horizon before the
6psl thunder crash OF the French Rev.
nin,ion. Hot water for tho Boston tea
marty was %simmcring long Gro that
want. and secession was q reality years
Sciore Il was voiced by tho guns OF
Sump,er. Columbus was tho impcrson.
alton Of the beliefs and traditions that
limited nj lands OH tho other side OF the
y,,t expan Sc OF tho Atlantic. Addi-
%,ionolly. he was tho ''ono going be-.
iorcH whose sublime faith In him.
.rli and his beliefs were so
clorlously rewarded, Tho coming
Worlds Fair at Chicago Is in a sense rs
inportan. IN event in tho history OF
The nations MS were either OF the three
frst named vpoChs In question, perhaps
more so, for revolutions, struggles, for
i~nIependcnce or rcbellions arc q tear
irr down, a blowing up and q sowing
ior tho times that are to follow. The
blood and agonics and throcs Of tho
nations arc then tho seed OF tho har.
vests Of tho nations that aro to be gar
rered later. Such n garnering is to
take place at Chicago next year.
snperb will be tho result, magnificent
the showing. But while mind and eye
will DO alike impressed, tho true
significance OF the fair, Us a high water
mark Of the worlds progress, will to
the thoughtful mind, at least, DO OF
more intense interest and value.
II the falr is all this tho question al
ready suggested will be asked:
"Who or what is its herald? Talk
interminablc, discussion unmeas urable,
suggestion fathomloss, criticism acrid
has there been. But docs a something
exist that in itself is a fit, proper and
pertinent prophet OF tho exposition"
Assurcdiy. A something eminently
appropriate. a thing impressive and
beautiful. A matter that like tho pre-
liminary sauces OF a Russian dinner
whet the appetite and prepare the pal
ate iorwhat is TO follow.
Really?
UnQucstionably.
You intend to visit the fair, Of course.
You arc already reading up Columbus
and his achievements. You feel q sort
Of personal interest in him very differ
ent 10 the vague way in which you re-
:arIed him 4 year since. Good.
Now suppose that it were possible to
roll back the centuries and once moro
live and move and have your being in
the times OF the navigator himself.
Suppose that you could come into per-
sonal contact with him and his people;
witness his defeats and victories; his
voyage and landing on these shores;
note tho scenes in which he lived; the
types OF people who wero his contem-
porarics; the aspect Of the old Spanish
cities; the costumes OF the ;~populace;
the garb Of the grandees, and the thous-
and and one details that take color and
interest from their association with
Columbus himself. Wouldn't that be a
fitting preparation for your trip west
ward? And furthermore, would not
such a spectacle be a fitting heralding
for that same fair?
OF course you agree to the PROPOSE
ton. Well, then, this apparently i'm
possible task, this transportation to
the fifteenth century, this hobnobbing
with the great Genoan is a thing at
tempted-nut accomplished. The
magicions are the proprietors Of tho
Barrum & Bailey Greatest Show on
Earth, and the gorgeous spectacle OF
Columbus and the discovery OF Amor
lea is the vehicle which takes you out
OF your own times back to the period OF
Ferdinand, Queen Isabella and the hero
OF the Atlantic.