The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1893-05-06

tor General Davis, as master of cere-
monies, faced the multitude and made
The opening speech, which closed with
the presentation of President Cleve-
and. In opening he paid due tributes
IF praise to the national commission,
The state and local directory and the
board of lady managers and to the
various departments among which the
work was divided. Then he briefly
sketched the worldwide scope of the
great exposition, which had drawn the
-esources and productions of the four
quarters of the globe and placed them
On exhibition through 60,000 exhib-
tors. Then he returned the sincere
thanks to congress and the Off
GERS of the government, to the states
which had expended $6, 6,000,O ,OGO, to the
foreign nations which had spent more
than ST. OO0, 200 for their exhibits, to
the citizens and corporation of Chicago
which had furnished SIG, 200, 900, to the
tens of thousands o." exhibitors and to
the women of the nation. n'closing
he dwelt upon the fact that the total
outlay for the great exhibition in
every way was largely in excess of
S1OO, 100000. Then turning to the
president he asked him to direct that
It be opened to the public and touch
the magic key starting the activities
of the exhibition.
Mr.. Cleveland having arisen was
kept waiting until the applause should
subside, after which, with barred head,
he began speaking. He said:
am here to join my fellow citizens in the
! congratulations which befit this occasion:
Surrounded by the stupendous results 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 ma
: tions of the world and point to tho achieve
ments we here exhibit asking no allowance on
the score OF youth The enthusiasm with
which we contemplate our work intensifes
the warmth of the greeting we extend TO those
who have come from foreign lands to illus
trate with us the growth and progress of hui
man endeavor in the direction OF higher civ
tliZation.
We who believe that Popular education and
our citizens lead the way 10 realization of the
proud national destiny which our faith
promises, gladly welcome the opportunity
here afforded us TO see the results accom-.
plished by efforts which have been eXerted
longer than ours in the field of mans i'm
exhibit the unparalleled advancement and full
accomplishments OF q young nation and pre-
sent the triumphs OF vigorous, self reliant
and independent people.
We have built these splendid edinces, but
4 we have also built the magnificent fabric of O
are seen throughout the world We have
made and here gathered together objects Of
| use and beauty, the products of American
| skill, the grand result OF the efforts OF men
| who rule themselves.
It is an exalted mission in which our guests
| from other lands are engaged, as we cooper
| ate in the Inauguration OF enterprise de-
voted to human enlis htenment, and In the un-
dertalSing we here enter upon. we eXemplify
! In the noblest sense the brotherhood of ma
| tions Let US hold fast to the meaning that
| underlies this ceremony and let us not lose the
| impressivenesS of this moment AS by q
touch machinery that gives life to this vast
exposition is now set In notion. so at the same
instant let our hopes and aspirations waken
forces In which all time TO come shall influence
| the welfare, the dignity ana freedom OF man
! kind
| When the vast throng witnessed the
movement of the presidents hand by
which they knew he touched the
golden key to release the pent up
steam in the great engines, each one
was aware that the wheels had begun
to move and that the great enterprise
was finally in full swing.
The president and officials then
made q round of the buildings.
| In the afternoon the Woman's build
ing, the Missouri state building and
other structures were separately dedi-
Gated and opened amid great enthusi-
asm which the bad weather could not
quench or even dampen.