Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-05-04


Nilburn, was led forward to the front OF
the platform and made prayer.
As he retired to his scat Miss Jessie eau
thcui of Chicago was escorted to the speak
sr's stand and in clear, impressive tones
commenced to read the opening stanzas OF
The poem Of the day. This was entitled
The Prophecy, " and is tho production of
W, A. Croffut, a member of the journals
tic profession of the national capitol
Hearty Applause Rewarded the Neadoi
as shs retired and it was renewed, when
after the orchestra had rendered the
"l<ienzi" overture by Wagner, Director
General Davis rose from his seat and nfter
bowling TO the chief magistrate and to these
surrounding him began his address.
At the conclusion Of MIR. Davis address
the president of the United States slowly
arose from hie seat and swept his eyes first
over the occupants OF the plattorm5aud
then over one of the greatest audiences that
ever man faced. There went up cheer
that seemed to shake the massive dome of
the building behind him aud which re-
verberated through the grounds
Like the Eattling of Musketry.
Foreigners and native. alike Joined ia the
acclaim to the highest representative OF the
was flutter of white handkerchiefs from
the ladies' side OF the platform and instant
ly it was taken up by the thousands of the
sex that occupied tho gondolas and launches
on the water far in tho distance. The more
the handkerchiefs were waved the louder
the cheers and for space of several min
utes the men We'd with the women in main
tanning the demonstration.
All the while Mr. Cleveland stood erect,
his left hand behind him and his right ner-
vously lingering the button of his frock
coat At last when throats and arms alike
were tired and semblonce of Quot had
once more come over the throng he COM
nleuced his address. This is what he said
Address of President Cleveland.
al am here to join my follow citizens in
congratulations which beiit tdis occasion.
Surrounded by the stupendous results of
American enterprise and activity, and in
view OF tho magnificent evidences OF Amer
lean skill and intelligence we need not fear
that these congratulations will be exagger-
atcd.
We stand to-day in the presence of the
Oldest nations of the world and point to the
great achievements we here exhibit, asking
no allowance on the score OF youth. Inc
enthusiasm with which we contemplate our
work intensifies tho warmth of creating we
extend to those who have come from for
egn lands to illustrate with us tie growth
and progress of human endeavor in the di-
rection Of higher civilization.
We who believe that popular education
and the stimulation OF the best impulses OF
our citizens lead the way to realization of
the national destiny which our past prom
ises, gladly welcome the opportunity hero
dad tha al 70 ,1y,li had
by efforts which havo been exerted longer
than ours in the field of mans improve
ment; while in appreciative return
We Exhibit ;he Unparalleled Advance
mept
and wonderful accomplishments of young
nation and present the triumphs OF u vigor-
orous, self-reliant and Independent people.
We have built these splendid odt fees, but
we have also built tue magnificent fabric OF
q popular government, whose grand proper
tions are seen throughout the world. We
have nude and here gathered together OBJ
iects of use and beauty, the products of
American skill and invention; we have also
made men who rule themselves.
1t is an exalted mistion in which we and
our guests from other lands are engaged, as
we cooperate in the Inauguration of an en-
| terpse devoted to human enlightenment
and in the undertaking we here enter upon
we exemplify in the noblest sen SO the
| brotherhood OF nations. Let US hold fast to
| the meaning that underles this ceremony
| and lot Us not lose the impressiveness of this
moment. AS by touch the machinery
that gives life to this vast exposition is now
set in motion, so at the same instant our
| hopes and aspirations awaken forces which
| in all time to come shall influence the wei
fare, dignity and freedom of mankind"
AS the president was concluding the fna
sentence his eyes wandered to the table that
was close at his left hand. Upon this was
the button, the pressure upon which was tc
| start the machinery and make the opening
| of the exposition an accomplished fact. Al
the last words fell from tie presidents lip,
he pressed bis finger upon the button.
This was the signal for demonstr atior
| in fact difficult of Imagination and infinitely
more so OF description. AT one and tn
same instant the audience burst into
laundering shout, the orchestra pealed fortl
the strains of the Hallelujah chorus, thu
wheels of the great Alis engine in machin
cry hall commenced to revolve, the electric
fountains in the lagoon threw their torrent
toward the sky, a flood OF water gashet
forth from the McMonnies foun
tain and rolled back again into tn
basin, the thunder OF artillery came from
the vessels in the lake, the chimes in manu-
facturers' hall, and on the German buildin
Rang Out Merry Peal
and overhead the flags at the tops of tn
poles in front OF the platform fell apart au'
revealed two gilded models of the ships il
which Columbus first sailed to America
shores. At the same moment also hundred
of flags OF all nations and all colors were un
furled within sight of tho platform. Th
largest wa. great cold Glory" which fe!
into graceful folds from the top of the cen
ter staff in front Of the stand. The roof c
the manufacturers building was gorgeou
in red gontalons, while the agriculture
building was dressed in orange and white
1t was q wonderful scone of transforms
ton and amid it all cannon continued
thunder and the crowd to cheer. 1t wa
fully ~ minutes before the demonstrate
subsidized. Than the band played "Amer
can and the exercises were at an end. Th
Columbian exposition was open to the mt
tions of the world. 1t was precisely at th
hour of noon when Grover Clevelau