Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-04
THE GREAT FAIR OPEN
Imposing Ceremonies at the
Columbian Exposition.
THE PRESIDENT ON HAND
He Pressed the Button That Set All
the Machinery in Motion.
THE MARCH TO THE GROUNDS
Great Crowds Cheer the Dis
tinguished Guests.
Mr.. GLEYELAND'S OPENING ADDRESS
THE PRESIDENT ON HAND
THE MARCH TO THE GROUNDS
Great Crowds Cheer the Dis
tinguished Guests.
Mr.. CLEVELAND'S OPENING ADDRESS


dent Cleveland Makes the introductory
Address and Touches the Electric Bur
ton That starts the Machinery Thous-
ands of People Attend the Interesting
Ceremonies.
CHICAGO. Ill, Nav l-Groyer Clcve-
land, President of the United States sur
rounded by members Of his Cabinet bv
the officials Of the various stats, by 4
numerous and distinguished Representa-.
tion from lands across tile seas, ana a
mighty throng of American citizens. To-
day pressed the electric button which set
in motion the miles Of shllting. the IN.
Vulnerable engines and machines aud the
labyrinth Of betting and gearing which
make up the machinery OF the World
Columbian Exposition.
At the same moment national salutes
pealed forth from the guns Of the Andrew
johnson. living off the exposition ground,
IN Lake Michigan. several hundred tlsE,,
released from their stops at Il concerted
signal, swung loose and streaued ant
under the sky in scarlet. yellow ana blue
over III Machinery Hall great roar arose
and the tUrTets OF the building modified as
the wheels began u turn, and greater
volume Of sound arose from the tAr0lts
of the concOurse Of people who thus
acclaimed the opening Of the Lraufe,t
achievement of American pluck, eutrr.
prise and generosity,
Before the first faint streaks Of light in
the east heraiied the approach ii the
dawn, the downtown streets We're astif.
Crowds We're hurrying from the railroad
depots on the north and west sides AMI
the cable lines were disChargiug load after
load OF passengers. Carriages ana omui-
buses began to hurry through the soyth
side and pedestrians iAnumerable set their
faces southwark III the direction Of Jack
son Park.
Nine o'clock saw every available means
of transportation tested to its full CAPACITY
and in some cases Deyuniit. All sorts vi
vehicles were pressed into service. From
carriages with Crests emblazoned on their
panels down TO the humble hut stryICablr
express wagon. whose owner c&acted a
round price for the use Of The vehicle
drawn by an aatiqnated and decrppit
horse, everything on wheels was utilized
in the conveyance of the crowd bound for
the fair,
Owing to the small part taken BY the
military in the days ceremonies there
was little marching ami commemorative
and the streets were left free for the Great
mass of civilians. There were some dele.
cations from out Of town who had brought
brass bands with them, and these blAred
+. and footed up and down the pruclpal
thoroughfares, attracting small boys and
idlers. Most of the expeditions, however,
split into small parties ana when they
reached the dePots the bands We're LETT to
shift for themselves
As 10 O, clOck-the hour for the opening
exercises--drew near, the rush reached lis
height. subSidng as II O'Clock was reached,
The jam az the railroad deppts became less
thick, the cable cars moved along only
comfortably iil!cd. The boats carried or
Smaller loads Ot passengers pedestrians
became fewer and fewer, and BY noon the
fFrKfF 80 V,F..r 20 ,..l-
clearer than On ordinary days, When Ao
Worlds Fair is being opened.
lhe weather was mild and cloudy, but
there was no rain.
THE DEsCESnkSTs OF COLUMBUS.
The Duke pf Neragua aud party had
rarely concluded their breakfast, at the
auditorium when the reception committee
'rrlved. The party were shown To car.
lages and the start was immediately made
.or the Lexington Hotel, s. here President
cleveland WAS waiting III the blue parlDr.
While the President va. exchanging grect.
ngs with the ducal party, Wee president
stevenson and party entered having been
escorted by committee from lie Palmer
House
Meanwhile procession had formed Oh
the avenue and the dIstIngu!shct guest all
being in readiness, the start was prlmp,Iy
made. The procession was headed by a
platoon Of policemen IN horseback, Who
We're followed By Two com pan!es If cavalry
from the regular army the GhigPgu
HulLars, and mounted Troop 4 OF tie
Illinois National Guard. Then followed
carriages in which Rode the asuagtitsnet.
guests and their escorts.
MASSEY ANp EAlAEuIN LISE,
Iii the first six carriages we're the I'M,
nonal commissioners and l0ral directors Of
the Fair. Iii the seventh carriage 4.n ma
. 5.t