The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-05-09

CW ed on this planet to
man or deity, and the Imagination falters in
attempting to conceive how this can be
approached in grandeur earlier than Il CEN
fury hence.
AS it stands today. the exposition repre-
sents $50,OOO,OO0. On the grounds and
buildings, excluding those erected by the
states and foreign nations, $2O,OOO,OOO
have been spent. The states and territories
have expended $4,0OO,OO0 and the foreign
countries S6,UO00OO. There we have $50
100000, and the exhibits represent all of
S2OOOO,OOO more. One firm, a Paris house,
has sent half million dollars worth of
diamonds. Aladdin could not begin
TO do with 4 store full of
his magic lamps what modern
brains and hands have accomplished with
these many millions of dollars.
The vastness of it all cannot be grasped
at once. Any impression which approaches
an adequate idea must be a growth, ex-
banding and broadening under continued
observation and study. No intellectual pro-
cess of comprehending the infinite has been
found so far as | am aware, but man Will
be much nearer its attainment once he
graspS the scope and magnitude of the
worlds fair.
Christofero Columbo's memory is pre-
eminently distinguished above all the hui
man race by this tribute of the world Illus
trated in the great white city.
While primarily and principally Amerl-
can. the fair is largely cosmopolitan. More
tongues are heard here than there were at
Babel's tower the day of the confusion.
More types of the human family are TO be
seen in an hour than q congress of nations
will show. Fortunately, there is Il harmony
in the proportions here as elsewhere The
interesting strangers from various lands
are neither overshadowed as to be hid In
the mammoth aggregation nor do they III
trude upon the pre-emlnence which belongs
to the Caucasian as family and to the
American as the special promoter of the
fair.
The Days Ceremonies.
Among the prominent people conspicuous
On the grand stand were: Governor Alt
geld. of Illinois; Mayor Harrison, of Chica-
20; the earl and countess OF Aberdeen;
General John G. Black, General Miles,
Hon Lambert Tree, Speaker Crafts, of the
Illinois house; Lieutenant Gill and other
state officers. of Illinois; President Paul
Palmer of the national commission; Lyman
]. Gage, of Chicago; f. w. Peck, Presi-
dent Higginbotham, Senator Cullom, OF II
lnois: Ashley, of Massachusetts; Campbell,
of New York: Barwig. of Wisconsin; Nc
Donald. of Illinois; Buclner, OF Wisconsin.
Senator Mitchell, of Wisconsin,; Senator
Allison, Congressman Springer, OF ILLINOIS;
IL. -
Durburow. of Illinois; Henderson, of Iowa;
Black. of Illinois and Mccain, of Illinois.
The multitudeS which thrOnged the world S
fair grounds today were greater III number
than had been anticipated, considering the
inausDciouS condition of the weather. Prob
ably 100000 people were assembled when
ut II O'Clock the advance guard of the c0rtege
signaled the approach of President Cleyc-
land and the dignitaries of the day to the
worlds fair grounds. After entering the
u H.. 1i1arL. t..ltI ~
building was made with all possible dispatch,
the presidential party not stopping to ac-
knowledge any of the popular Ovatlons ex-
tended to the chief executive.
phe Exercises Opened
At 1880 O'Clock to the minute the pro-
eranme opened with Il blast from the or
chestra. which rendered the martial air OF
the Columbian march of John X. Paine.
The overture of 'Rienzi,' by Wagner,
was next rendered by the orchestra, and then
Director General Davis, Oh behalf OF the
exposition, delivered an address.
As the director general stepped back, the
president of the United States stepped for
ward and the climax of the ovatlons OF the
day was reached. For minutes the crowd
cheered over and over again, and men-0OO
feet away-tossed their hats in the air. way-
cd their umbrellas and otherwise dlsported
themselves in frantic exhibition of their ell
thusiasm. The president bowed once or
twice and then spoke as follows;
The President's speech
| am here to join my fellow citizens in
congratulations which befit this occasion
surrounded by the StupendouS results or
American enterprise and activity, and in view
of the magnificent evidences Of American
skill and Intelligence we need not fear thlt
these congratulations will be exaggerated
We stand today in the presence ut the Oldest
nations of the world and point to the great
achievements we here exhibit, asking no
allowance on the score of youth.
The enthusiasm with which we cont e!nl'laI"
our work intenSihes the warmth Oh Inc EItet-
Ing we extend 10 those who have come rom
foreign lands to Illustrate with us the grown
and progress Of human end"av0r in me On
rection Of higher civilization. We who ne
lieye that popular education ana the stimuli !,
ton Of the best impulses of our citlZenS ied
the way to a realization of the proud Matlolal
destiny which our past promises Eiadiy Wei
come the opportunity here ailordSd us 10 Sc
the results accomplished by EFFORTS Whlch
have been exerted longer than ours IN the
field of mans improvements. while IN i. ap,
preciative return we exhibit the unparailelto
advancement and wonderful accompSnlnenlS
OF the young nation and the present lrluhpns
Of n vigorous self-reIiant and indepcndent
peonIe We have built these splendid edi-
fees but we have also built ElaEnlncent
fabric of popular government whose sIhId
proportions are seen throughout the Woflu
We have made and here gather together the
objects of use and beauty. the products or
American skill and invention, but we have also
made men who rule themselves. 1t is an
exalted mission in which we and our guests
from other lands are engaged as we CO.
operate I'm the inauguration Of our enterprise
devoted to the human enlightenment and In
the undertaking here enter unon, we eX-
emplify in the nobest sense, the brotherhood
of nations.
Let us hold fast to the meaning that under
lies this ceremony. 3nd let us not lose the
imnreSSiyeneSS Of this moment. AS by the
touch Of machinery that gives life to this vast
exposition Is now set in motion. so at the
same instant let hopes and aspirations
awaken the forces which in all time tn come
shall influenr" the welfare. dignity and free
dom of mankind.
H. Touched the Fulton.
AT the conclusion of his address, the
president touched the electric button and
the worlds Columbian exposition of 1S9:
was ushered into official existence. The
huge fountain. three hundred feet away
from the grand stand, threw volume OF