The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-05-17

Nations Of the world, and point 70 tne great
achievements We here exhibit, asking no al
lowance on the score Of youth.
.saThe enthusiasm with which we oontem-
plate our work intensi1es the warmth OF the
Greeting we extend to those who have come
from foreign lands to illustrate with us the
growth and progress Of human endeaYor In
the direction OF higher civilization.
eve who believe that popular education
and the stimulation Of the best impulses OF
our citizens lead the way TO realization OF
the National destiny which our faith prom
ises, gladly welcome the opportunity hare al
forded us to see the results accomplished by
efforts which have been e1erted longer tia tnan
ours In the field Of an'simprovement, while
In sppreciative return we exhibit rne unpar-
slleled advancement and wonderful accom-
plishments Of young Nation and present the
triumphs Of q vigorous, self-rel1ant and 1nde-
pendent people, We have built these splendid
ediflces, but we have also built the msgnlf-
cent fabric of e popular Government, whose
grand proportions aro seen throughout the
world. we have made and here gathered to-
gether objects Of use and beauty, the prod
ucts OF American skill and Invention; we
have also made men who rule themselves.
sIt is an exalted mission In which we and
our guests from other lands are engaged, as
we cooperate in the Inauguration of an en-
terprise devoted to human enlightenment;
and in the undertaking we here enter upon
we exemplify in the noblest sensethe brother
hood Of Nations.
"Let us hold fast to the meaning that un-
derlies this ceremony, and let us not lose the
impressiveness of this moment. AS by touch
the machinery that gives life to this vast Ex-
position is now set in motion, so at the same
instant let our hopes and aspirations AWAKEN
forces which In all time to come shall In
lueace the welfare, the dignity and the free
dom Of mankind"
AS the President was concluding the final
sentence his eyes wandered tC the table
that was close at his left hand. Upon this
was the button, the pressure upon which
was to start the machinery and make
the opening of the Exposition an accom-
plished fact As the last words fell from the
Presidents lips he pressed his finger upon
the button. This was the signal for dem
onstration, In fact, difficult Of imagination,
and infinitely more 30 Of description. AT one
and the same instant the audience burst
into laundering shout, the orchestra
pealed forth the strains OF the Hallelujah
!! chorus, the wheels Of the great Allis
engine in Machinery Hall commenced
to revolve, the electric fountains IN
the lagoon threw their torrents toward the
sky, q flood OF water gushed forth from the
MoMonnies fountain. and rolled back again
into the basin, the thunder OF artillery came
from the vessels in the lake, the chimes in
Manufacturers Hall and on the German
Building rang out q merry peal.
At the same moment hundreds Of flags, OF
all Nations, and all colors were unfurled
| within sight Of the platform The largest was
| o great sold Glory" which fell into graceful
| folds from the top Of the center staff in front
of the stand. The roof OF the Manufacturers
Building was gorgeous In red gonfalons,
| while the Agricultural Building was dressed
| In ensigns of orange and white. 1t was
| wonderful scene Of transformation, and amid
! 1t all cannon continued to thunder, and tho
crowd to cheer. It was fully ten minutes be-
| fore the demonstration subsidized. Then the
band played America" and the exercises
| were at an end. The Columbian Exposition
was open to the Nations Of the world
The inner wants of the distinguished
F! guests now demanded the consideration OF
| the Committee Of Arrangements, and, with
President Cleveland at their head, arm-in-
arm with President Palmer, they were &c.
corted for lunch to the third floor Of
| the Administration Building. At The
| conclusion OF the luncheon President
| Cleveland was escorted to the foreign section
| Of Manufacturers Hail. where he received
the commissioners from foreign countries.
Afterwards he IVES driven over to the Wo.
man. Building, and witnessed portion OF
the exercises incident to its formal dedlca-
tion. From here he was driven directly back
to the terminal station on the Worlds Fair
GrourLs. That evening at o'clock he LETT
| for Washington on special tain.
| The throng OF people was 80 great dur
| ing the progress Of the exercises that num-
Der Of persons tainted and had to be re-
moved to the hospital.
The total attendance on the first day OF the
Fair was given out as 100000 people.