The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-05-12
OPENING EXERCISES.

OPENING EXERCISES.
How the Machinery of the Great
Worlds Fair Was Started.
All was now in readiness for the in
auguration of the exercises proper. It
had been intended to preface the speech
making with grand chorus of 1000
voices, but owing to an oversight in
drawing the plans of the platform, this
feature was eliminated, and in its place
was rendered Columbian march COM
posed for the occasion by Professor
John K. Paine. Theodore Thomas
welded the baton, and 600 instruments
responded to the wand of authority. AS
the music died away the blind chaplain
of the United States senate, Rev. DR..
w. H. Milburn, was led forward. Fac
ing the throng with clasped hands and
bowed head, he besought the blessing
of the Almighty upon the proceedings
of the day, and the enterprise about to
be inaugurated.
The Prophecy.
Many of those about him Joined in the
"Amen" with which the man of God
concluded his invocation. AS he retir-
ed to his seat, Miss Jenl lie Gouthoui, a
Chicago reader and elocutionist of
national reputation. was escorted to the
speakers stand, and in clear, impressive
tones, commenced to read the opening
stanzas of the poem of the day. This
was entitled 1.-The Prophecy. and is
the production of w. A. Croffut, a
member of the journalistic profession
of the national capital.
Hearty applause rewarded the reader
as she retired, and it was renewed
when. after the orchestra had rendered
the 'Rienzi" overture by Wagner,
Director General Davis arose from his
seat, and after bowling to the chief
magistrate and those surrounding him,
faced the assem- blage and spoke briefly.
President Cleveland Speaks.
1t was now the turn of the president
of the United States to present himself,
and as he slowly arose from his seat
there went up cheer that seemed to
shake the massive dome of the building
behind, and which reverberated through
the grounds like the rafting of mus
kerry. All the while Mr.. Cleveland
stood erect, his left arm behind him,
his right nervously lingering the but.
ton of his frock coat At last, when all
threats and arms alike We're tired and a
sem blance of quiet had once more come
over the throng, he commenced his
address.
This Is What He Said:
am here to join my fellow citizens in
the congratulations which betit this occa
sion. Surrounded by the stupendous re
suits of American enterprise and activity
and in view of the magnificent evidences
of American skill and intelligence, we need
not fear that these congratulations will be
exaggerated. We stand today in the
presence of the oldest nations of the world
and point to the great achievements I'VE
here exhibit, asking no allowance on the
score of youth.
The enthusiasm with which we oontem
plate our work intensifes 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 en-
deavor in the direction of a higher civiliZa
ton. We who believe that popular edu
cation and the stimulation of the best i'm
pulses of our citizens lead the way to &
realization of the proud national destity
which our faith promises, gladly
welcome the opportunity here afforded
us to see the results accomplished
by efforts which have been eXerted longer
than ours in the field of mans improve
ment while in appreciative return we ex
hibit the unparalleled advancement anC
accomplishments of young nation, anC
present the triumphs of vigorous, self
reliant and independent people. We have
built these splendid edifices, but we have
also built the magnificent fabric of pop
ular government, whose grand proportions
throughout the world. We have ma
and here gathered together objects OF u {
and beauty, the products ofAmerican skill
and invention; but we have also made mel
who rule themselves.
1t is an exalted mission in which we anC
our guests from other lands are engaged
as we cooperate in the inauguration OF al
enterprise devoted to human enlightment
and in the undertaking we here entel
upon, we exemplify in the noblest sense
the brotherhood of nations.
Let us hold fast to the meaning thai
| underlies this ceremony, and let us mo-
| lose the impreSSlveneSS OF this moment
AS by a touch the machinery that give
| life to this vast exposition is now set il
motion, so at the same instant let our hopes
and aspirations awaken forces which in al
time to come shall influence the welfare
the dignity and the freedom of mankind.
AS the president was concluding the
final sentence his eyes wandered to thu
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 accomplished fact. 1t was an or
binary form of Victor telegraph key
such as is in use in most telegraph of
fees, except that it was of gold instead
of steel and button of ivory instead O
rubber. As the last words fell from thu
presidents lips he
Pressed His Finger on the Button.
The audience burst into thunderin!
shout, the orchestra pealed forth thu
strains of the hallejuliah chorus, thu
wheels of the huge engines in Machin
cry hall commenced to revolve, thu