The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-10-31
THE FAIRS CLOSING.
A fearful Tribute Of Respect to
0hioago's Murdered Mayor.
H1erNBoTHAMs PATHETIC SPEECH

CHICAGO, Oct 9,-IThe official life Of the
Worlds fair has ended. Last night was
10 have been one Of gaiety and brilliancy,
but the death of Mayor Harrison changed
al that. The meeting at Festival hall
during the afternoon was brief. The audi
lnce was detained just long enough to
dear an earnest prayer by the Rev. Mr..
Barrows and few explanatory remarks
regarding the change of programme by
President Palmer, the reading of an ap-
propriate speech by President Higin-
botham and the resolutions of sympathy
for Mr.. Harrison's untimely end. These
were read by President Higinbotham, who
began in clear, firm voice, which grew
husky and trembled for a moment with
emotion when certain passage in the res
olutions was reached. Mr. Harrison and
Mr.. Higinbotham had long been asso-
slated.
The fair was declared closed by Thomas
W. Palmer, president of the national
commission, in the following words: 1T
was intended to close the fair simultan-
eously with the sound of this gavel, the
firing of artillery and the lowering of the
flag. All that has been changed by the
sad circumstances which bring us together
now. announce that when the sun sets
the closing will be marked only by a sa-
lutte and the letting down Of the flags
When that takes place l declare, in obe-
dience to the act of congress-, the exposi-
ton is officially closed"
Before giving the benediction Rev. Mr..
Barrows announced that he had been re-
quested by the committee to read the
speech President Higinbotham had writ
ten for this day prior to Mr., Harrison's
death. The speech was as follows;
This is not the time for oratory. A
duty calls us together which we must per-
form, though it fills us with sadness. The
hour is at hand when our festival must
close, and when the material things of
which it is composed must turn back to
the four quarters Of the globe and the
structures which sheltered them to the
elements out of which they werr created.
'tThis is not the time for exultation over
our victory, except In so far as to recog-
nize that without the favor of the God
that guided the frail craft of the voyager
400 years ago TO this land 1t could not have
boen achieved. Exultation would be un-
dignifed. Gratitude to the Almighty is
the only feeling that / can harhor in my
breast except the sorrow which. this clos
ing hour evokes. We are turning our backs
upon the fairest dream of civilization, and
are about to consign il to the dust. 1t Is
like the death of dear friend. 1t is like
bidding farewell to ones youth. II is like
all those times in the life of a man when
tho thoughts of the present are choked
with the emotions of the past.
"At such times the call OF duty alone
can uplift the heart and arouse it to meet
the things that are yet to come. That call
Is upon each of us now.
Let us go forward to meet the duties OF
kha Prrtt, without faor meta mad hxyt ba
faith that what we have wrought will en-
dure and forever stand as belcon light,
guiding others to loftier heights and
greater achievements"
Following are the resolutions that were
adopted:
A deep and heartfelt sorrow has fallen upon
the closing hours of the Worlds Columbian
exposition. Death, come as 1t may, leaves as
a heritage to the living mental pain and suf-
fering, immeasurably intensified when its
agency Is a cowardly and infamous assassin.
Nothing has ever occurred in our midst that
has 10 disturbed and distressed our citizens az
the very wicked and wanton termination of
the life OF Hon. O. II. Harrison. The tran
quility of the city has been shaken as IL by an
earthquake.
The officials of the Worlds Columbian FIX.
position, tho commissioners ond representa-
tives of all foreign countries and the commits
sioners Of tho several states mourn the loss of
an honored official, and lay upon tho altar
prs.sr vod and kept sacred hls memory In the
hearts of all his friends this humble tribute of
respect and admiration.
Speaking for all here assembled, represent
htives of the various interests that have made
this exposition so grandly successful, both In
Its national and international character we
claim that Carter II. Harrison was something
more than chief magistrate OF this metropol.
itan city As director of tho Worlds Col
umbian exposition he at all times sought to
Impress upon the exposition a true national
and international character, and to emphasize
the fact that II was promoted by and In the
interest Of the people of the world.
To all our friends, without distinction of race
or nationality, his welcome has been cordial
generous and unstinted. And none in his rep
sentative capacity could have more thoroughly
pttested the generous hospitality of this city,
whose chief magistrate he was. Your com.
mission begs leave to submit the following res
olutions:
Resolved, That the foregoing minute be
adopted by this assembly, and that a duly On.
crossed copy thereof be transmitted to the
family of our deceased brother, Carter II.
Harrison, and that copies thereof be also do.
llvered to the World s Columbian commission
and the Worlds Columbian exposition
Resolved, That we commend and approve
the order Of the director general Resembling
the order heretofore issued for closing cere.
monies. but we deem 1t proper and advisable
that the several officers appointed to address
this assembly be requested to deliver such
papers to the secretary Of the Worlds Colum.
bisn commission, to he filed and made part
nf fha of he