The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-02

tiOn. We who believe that popular educa-
tion and the stimulation of the best impulses
OF our citizens lead the way to a realization
OF the proud national destiny which our peO-
pie have achieved. gladly welcome the oppOr-
tunlty here afforded us to see the results ac-
comphShed by Efforts which have been eX-
efted longer than ours in the field Of man S
improvements, while in appreciative return
we exhibit the unparalleled advancement
and wonderful accomplishments of
young nation, and present the triUmphS Of
a vigorous, self reliant and Independent peO-
pie. We have built these splendid edifices,
but we have also built u magnificent fabric of
popular government, whose grand proper
tonS are seen throughout the world. We
have made and here gathered together objects
OF use and beauty, products of American
skill and invention, but we have also made
men who rule themselves. It is an exalted
mission IN which we and our guests from other
lands are engaged, as we cooperate in the in
auguration of an enterprise devoted to human
enlightenment; and in the undertaking we here
enter upon we eXemplify in the noblest sense
the brotherhood of nations. Let us hold fast TO
the meaning that underleS this ceremony,
and let us not lose the impressiveness Of this
moment. AS by the touch the machinery that
gives life to this vast exposition IS now set in
motion so at the same instant let our hopes
and aspirations awaken forces which in all
time to come shall influence the welfare, dig
nifty and freedom Of mankind.
TOUCHING TIE BUTTON.
As the President was concluding the
final sentence his eyes wandered to table
that was close at his left hand Upon
this was button, pressure upon which
was to start the machinery and make the
opening of the exposition an accomplished
fact. 1t was an ordinary form of Victor
telegraph key, such as in most telegraph
offices, except that it was of gold instead
of steel and the button of ivory instead of
rubber. 1t rested upon a pedestal up
holstered in navy blue and golden yellow
plush and on the sides of the lower tier
in silver letters was the significant dates
1892 and 1893 AS the last words fell
from the Presidents lips he pressed his
finger upon the button. This was
the signal fer demonstration,
in fact difficult of imagination
and infinitely more so of description. At
one and the same instant the audience
burst into laundering shout, the orches-
ira pealed forth the strains of the halle
lujah chorus, the wheels of the great engine
in the Machinery hall commenced to re-
volve, the electric fountains in the lagoon
threw their torrents toward the sky, a
food Of water gushed forth from the Nc
MonnieS fountain and rolled back again
into the basin, the thunder of artillery
came from the vessels in the lake, the
chimes in the Manufactures hall and on the
German building rang out a merry peal,
and overhead the flags at the tops of the
poles In front of the platform fell apart
and revealed two gilded models of the
ships in which Columbus first sailed to
the American shores
FLUTTERING FLAGS.
At the same moment also hundreds Of
flags of all nations and all colors were un-
furled within sight Of the platform. The
largest was great "Old Glory" which
fell into graceful folds from the top of the
4fa,sc ct1ff ~, Sf 1,n rfo -
roof of the Manufactures building was
dressed in ensigns of orange and white.
1t was wonderful scene of transforma-
tion, and amid it all cannon continued to
thunder and the crowd to cheer. 1t was
fully ten minutes before the demonstra-
tion subsidized. Then the band played
America and the exercises
were at an end. The Colum-
bian exposition was open to the nations
of the world. 1t was precisely the hour
of noon when Grover Cleveland touched
the button and thus declared the opening
an accomplished fact. The crowd in at
tendance was enormous and was various
ly estimated at 10000 to 1000.
MANY WOMEN FAINT.
While awaiting the arrival of the pres
idential party number of women in the
crowd who had been on their feet for
hours, tainted, and the services of several
Red Cross ambulance chairs were in con-
stant requisition for over half an hour.
No sooner had the opening ceremonies
commenced than bad police arrangements
were shown in an unfortunate manner.
For SO many people hand
full Of Columbian guards had
been detailed for duty to keep
the inside border of tho mass of human
ity from encroaching on the press seats,
which were arranged below the grand
stand on either side. The rushing and
crOwding at the northeast end of the Ad-
ministration building soon became so Sc
we're that many women tainted, while
others became so sick that they had to be
lifted bodily over the railing into the
press seats until the arrival of the Red
Cross corps with wheel chairs.
A PANIC IMMINENT.
While the poem was being read it
looked as though panic with fatal con-
sequences could not be averted. The
guards were powerless, their work. being
no more effectual than child's play
Women continued to faint, and the
weaker ones who were getting in fainting
condition were lifted over the heads Of
the crowd by the guards and newspaper
men into the press seats and the
grand stand reserved for distinguished
guests. City police mingled with the
RudruS anu eUuedNOfGU 10 quiz Jne excl
ted swaying mass within the bounds of
personal safety, For several minutes it
looked as though terrible catastrophe
could not be averted. The multitude con-
tinued TO sway to and fro and the air was
filed with the shrleks of women, the
hoarse shouts Of men, the cries of little
children, of whom there were many hun
dreds, il not thousands, and the warning
yells of the occupants of the grand stand
THE PRESIDENT LEAVES.
With a view of facilitating the disposal
of the throng, President Higginbotham
escorted President Cleveland and the
ducal party from the platform with all
possible haste, but this did not suit the
temper Of the spectators and they yelled,
tCome back, we want to see more Of the
President" Finally, by breaking into
the throng from half dozen points, the
Columbian guards succeeded in turning
into half as many channels, but not be-
fore the section Of the platform occupied
a few moments before by the President
and his party had been turned into
harbor Of refuge for no less than twenty
six sick or unconscious women and chill
dren.
LUNCHEON SERVED.
When the opening exercises had ended
the President and his party and the vice
presidential and ducal parties were es-
corted to the third floor of the Ad-
building, where covers had
been lald for seventy people and lunch
was served. At the conclusion Of the
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