River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-05-04
Address of Director General Davis.

The following is a synopsis OF the address OF
Director General Davis: He said the exhibi-
ton was not the conception of any single
mind; IL was not the result Of any single effort;
but IL was the grunocst conception Of oil the
minds and the hest ObtaiEablc result Of
all the Efforts put forth by all the peo-
pie who have IN any manner eontrbut-
ed TO it's creation. In this connection
he praised the work Of his eo.laborers ami OF
the various chef OF departments. Referring
90 the expenditure eniailed by the various gov.
erumcnts he said the government had appro-
priated about s5,m0O0l, the various
states sum in excess OF s6ooh-
90 and the foreign nations another
s6,O00Oo1 Chicago and it's citizens besides
contributing sil0O.00J furnished loan Of
55,0U0,OO1 more. The total expenditures on
account of the fair exceed slO001100l He
expressed his obligation to the thousands Of
exhibitors and 10 the women OF the land, and.
closing, expressed the hope that the cxposi-
tion may inaugurate a era Of normal and
material progress and fervent aspiration that
the association Of the nations here may secure
not only warmer and stronger friendships but
lasting peace throughout the world.
Address of President Cleveland.
Mr. Davis was literally applauded during the
delivery Of his address but as he took ms seat
and the burly form OF President Cleveland
arose and took a step forward. the applause
broke out with sponianeity that was ire
pressible Mr. Cleveland bowed slightly and
smiled and then spoke as follows:
Il am here 10 join nay fellow citizens in the
congratuatioTs which beft this occasion.
Surrounded by the, sturendous results Of
American enterprise and activity and in view
of magnificent evidences OF American skill and
intelligence, need not fear that these
CONGRATULATIONS will be exaggerated We
stand to-day in the presence OF
and point to the great achievements here cx.
hibited, asking 70 allowance on the score OF
youth. The enthusiasm with when we
contemplate our work intensihes the warmth
OF the greeting We extend 10 those
who have come from foreign lands to Illus
trate with Us the growth and progress OF
human endeavor in the direction of higher
civilization. We who believe that popular
education ana the stimulation OF the best i'm
pulses of our citizens lead the way 20
realization Of the proud national des-
tiny which our faith promises, gladly wei
coming the opportunity here afforded Us
10 see the results accomplished by CT
forts which have been exerted longer than
ours in the field OF mans Improvements while
in appreciative return we exhibit the I'M
paralieled advancement and wonderful &C
complishments OF young nation ana
present the tTiumphs OF a vigorous, self
reliant and independent people. We have
built these splendid edit ces. but we have also
built the magnificent fabric OF popular gov
eminent, whose grand proportions are seen
throughout the world We have made and here
gathered together objects OF use and beauty
the products OF American skill ana inNenuoni
but we have also male men VINO
rule themselves. 1t is on exalted mis-
sion in which we and our guests from
other lands are engaged, as we cooperate in the
Inauguration Of an enterprise devoted 10 human
enlightenment and IN the undertaking we here
enter upon we exemplty IA tne hoDitst
sense the brotherhood Of nations. Let rs nosd
fast 70 the meaning that Gndorlies this cere-
~ - 1TstEl 81 q
Of this moment As hy touch the machinery
that gives life e this vast exposition + scr ~
motion. 50 at the same iRstanEsiet our hopes
and aspirations awaken forces which IN al time
20 come shall influence the welfare the dignity
and the frcedomof mankind
Touched the Button.
As the president was concluding tho final
sentence his eyes wandered 10 the 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 tact II was
an ordinary form OF Victor telegraph key.
such n in use IN ulost telegraph offices, except
that ii was Of gold instead Of steel, aud button
Ct ivory instead OF bone lt rested upon
pedestal upholstered IN navy biue ana
golden yellow plUsh and on the siees OF TIE
lower tier in silver letters, were the sigiihcanl
dates 1852 and lsgS a the last worGs fell
from the presidents lips be pressed bis finger
upon the button
a Never-fo-Be Forgotten Scene.
The demonstration wheh President Cleve-
land pressed the key 70 start the machinery IN
motion was one long 70 be remembered At
that same instant the electric fountains in
the lagoon began 20 play, The chimes
in Manufactures hail and on the Ger
building sounded the news q me
exposition opening and steam "hls Us
footed all over the grounds Overhead lh@
hags al The tops Of the flagstafs IN front q tEe
platform unioided ana revealed Two gliGed
models OF the ships ia which Columpas nfst
sailed % American shores the star anu
stripes and the sa.es Of all other nations that
Top the pixies % every bIlding within view