The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-02

they were destined by the Congress OF
the United States. This 10 not the time
nor the place, neither will it be expect
cd Of me, to give comprehensive To-
sume OF the strenuous efforts which
have bcen put forth to complete tho
work TO which we invite your inspec-
ton to-day. / may be permitted, how
ever, to say word In praise of, and in
gratitude to my co.otIicers and official
staff, who form the great organization
which made this contamination posi-
Bile.
"This exposition is not the concep-
ton OF any single mind; it is not tho
result Of any single effort; but the
grandest conception OF all the minds
and the best 06saiaable result OF all the
efforts put forth by all the people who
have in any manner contributed to Its
consideration.
"The great commanding agencies
through which the government has
authorized this work TO proceed are
the national commission, consisting of
l0S men, and their altornates-aelected
from the several states and territories
presided over by the Hon. Thomas W.
Palmer, OF Michigan; the corporation Of
the state OF Illinois known as the
Worlds Columbian Exposition, con-
sisting Of 40 directors, presided over by
Mr.. II. N. Higginbotham, OF Chicago;
aud the board Of lady manRgers' con-
sisting Of ll5 women and their alter
nates--aelecsed from the several states
presided over By Mrs. Potter Palmer,
OF Chicago. To those great agencies,
wisely selected by Congress, each per-
forming its special function, tho graft
tude OF the people OF this country aud
the cordial recognition OF all these
friendly foreign representatives are
due.
"To perfect from these agencies an
efficient organization was our frst duty,
and It was successfully accomplished at
the outset through committees, subse-
quently by great executive depart
ments, and through these departments
the systematic, vigorous and effective
work has progressed, Through tho do
partment Of administration, the do.
partment Of finance, the department Of
works and the great exhibit depart.
ment, the plan and scope Of grand in-
terna;ional exposition have boon
worked out. The department offinRnce,
composed Of eight mombers OF the
Illinois corporation, has, with disintor-
estedness remarkable, with courage un-
dRunted, successfully financed tho OK
position, and has provided for the great
work upwards Of S20,0O0,000. Tho de-
partment Of works and Its many bureaus
OF artists, architects, engineers and
builders, have transformed these
grounds, which twenty-one months ago
wore an unsightly, uninviting and un.
occupied stretch OF landscape, into the
beauty and splendor OF to-day. They
have conspicuously performed their
functions, and those grand avenues,
these Venetian waterways, tho finished
landscape, the fountains and sculptures
and colonuades, and those grand pal
aces, stand out as monument to their
genius and their skill, supplemented by
the labor OF that great army OF skilled
artisans and workmen, all citizens Of
this republic.
"The chiefs Of tho great departments
who have exploited this mighty enter
prise and gathered hero the exhibits
forming the picture that is set in this
magnificent frame, have confirmed the
wisdom OF their selection. No state or
territory Of the union has escaped their
voice; no land on the globe that has q
language but has been visited, and the
invitation Of tho President Of the Un-
tied States personally presented. For
tunately, at tho inception OF this enter
prise our government was and still Ia At
peace with the whole world. Commis-
sioners were sont to Europe, 10 Asia, to
Australia, British North America, and
10 the islands Of the seas 30 that to-day
tho whole world knows and Is familiar
with tho significance OF tho great peace
festival we are about to oinaugprate on this
campus and all the nations join In cello.
brating tho event which 1t commemo.
ratos.
"This enclosure, containing nearly
700 acres, covered by moro than four
hundred structures, from tho small
state pavilion, occupying IN ordinary
building site, TO tho colossal structure
OF tho manufactures and liberal arts
building. covering over 30 aorev, 10 filled
and crowded with display Of tho
achievements aud products Of tho mind
and hand Of man, such as has ncyor be-
lOro bcon presented to mortal vision.
"Tho habits, customs and liio Of the
peoples OF our own and foreign lands
arc shown In tho varicgatod plaisanco
those stately buildings arc filled with
historical treasures aud natural products
Of our several states. Tho artistic, char
ncteristlC and beautiful odihces, the
headquarters OF foreign commissions,
surrounding tho gallery Of fine arts,
which In itself will bc an agreeable sur.
prise to tho American bnholdOr, Consti.
tuto the grand central zone Of porlnl
and friendly amenities among the dli.
ierent people Of tho earth.
Surrounding this grand plaza whofc
we stand aud reaching from tho north
pond to tho extreme south. Ia tho great
mechanical, scientific industrial ant
agricultural exhibition Of the resources
and products Of tho world. 1heso hayo
been secured from tho four quarters NJ
the globo and placed In systematic or.
dor under tho supervision Of these
great departments aud while all the
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