The Bessemer indicator., 1893-05-06
THE FAIR OPENED.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND SAYS 50
Two Hundred thousand People Flock
to the Great Exposition to sss
the Button Pressed.

opened on the LIST M per programme. The
weather WIS not good but the citizens OF
Chicago and the throng OF visitors were de-
termlned not TO miss the ceremonlous in
augura,ion OF the grca, show.
AT II O'Clock the coming OF the Presiden,
was heralded and every eye was strained 10
see the chief executive, aud he was greeted
with a tremendous roar OF applause when be
mounted the stand
Il was the largest audience ever faced by an
American citizen.
Following the President and the director
general wcro the members OF the cabinet
under the escort Of the World. Fair officials,
the Duke de Ncragua and his family, mem
bers Of the diplomatic corps, members OF
Congress, senators and other prominent
diguitarles, who were given seats on the
grand stand The 1000 Columbian guards
which surrounded the administration build
!ng, made a full effort 10 keep back the
crowd, but they were swept forward by the
restless wsve and jammed against the railing
until they themselves became an un Iecosniza-
BILE part of that incohcrent, struggling, bat
sood-natured and cheering. arena OF human
ity.
AT II 80, 10 the minute, the programme
opened with blast from the orchestra which
rendered the martial air OF the Columbian
march OF John X. Paine. Tie music lasted
for fifteen minutes. and at It's conclusion
Director General Davis stepped to the front
of the platform, waved his hand supplicat-
ingly two or three times 70 the vast audi
ence and then announced 10 a tone which was
lost in the hum OF voices that the Rev. w. H.
Mllhurn would pronounce the invocation.
The blind chaplain Of the United States
House OF Representatives stepped 10 the
front, guided by aw oinan's hand, his adopted
daughter, Miss Luo! Gemley escorting him,
and faced the multitude which he could not
even see, but whosc presence he felt by the
very animation that permeated the atnos-
phere. After a brief pause when the mur-
mur OF voices had ceased. the blind chaplain
uttered the opening prayer.
The Prophecy an ode written by W. A.
Crofutt in honor OF the exposition, was next
on the programme. 1t was read by Mss
Couthoui, delicate young woman whose
cnunc!stlon wa4 perfect. but whose voice was
OF course, Lost TO all except the immediate
circle.
The overture Of "Rleazl," by Wagner, was
next rendered by the orchestra, and then
Director General Davis. on behalf Of the ex-
position, delivered the opening address
Mr., Davis In his speech described the sys-
ten OF management under which the exposI-
ton has been built, and the cooperation that
had been given by states, foreign nations aud
Individuals. In closing he said
The grand concerted Illustration of modern
progress which ia here presented for the en-
couragment OF art, of science of industry
and commerce has necessi.ated the erpendi-
ture, including the outlay of our exhibitors,
largely In excess of 300 600. We have
given 1t our constant thought, our most de-
voted service, our best energies, and now, IN
this central city OF this great republic, on
the continent discovered by Columbus, IL
only remains for you, Mr.. President, If IN
your opinion the exposition here presented Is
commensurate IN dignity with what the
world should expect o. our grea; country, TO
direct TINT It shall be opcned to the public
poudcrous machinery VIII start ia Its reyoiu-
tons and the aetiy.t!e. o, this exposition vii.
begin,
As the director general stepped back the
President Of The United States stepped for
ward and the climax Of the oyatlons OF the
day was reached Three or four minutes the
crowd eheere,. over md over again, and men
500 feet away tossed their hats IN the or,
waved their uinhrelias and otherwise deported
themselves Ia frantic exhibitions OF the!r en-
thuslssm, The Prcsl1cn; bowed oscr OF
twice and spoke as follows:
! sin here TO !oln my FELLOW citi us lu the
congratulations which beht this occasion.
Surrounded hy the stupendous results o,
American enterprise EUd activity, sGd In
view OF magnificent evidences Of American
skill and intelligence, We need rot fear thai
these congratulations will Io exaggerated.
We stand to-day IN the presence OF the oldest
nations Of the wD-id and point 10 he great
achievements we here exhibit, asking no al
lowance on the score o. youth.
The enthusiasm with which we contemplate
our work lntensiiles the warmth o, the greet
ing We extend to those who have come from
foreign lands 10 Illustrate with us the growth
and progress of human cDdeayor in the direc-
tion OF higher civilization. We who be-
llevc that popular education and the stimula-
tiou OF the best impulses Of our citizens lead
the way to a realization OF the proud national
destiny which our faith pronises. gladly well
come the opportunity here afforded. To zee
the results accomplished by efforts which
have been excIted longer than ours In the
field Of mans Improvement; while ia nppre-
clatlve return We exhibit the unparalleled ad-
vanceinent and wonderful accomplishments
OF young nation and pre- eat The trinmphs
OF vigorous, splf.re!iagt oul Independent
people. We have built ihese .picndid eiifices
but We have also built the magnificent fabric
ton. ere seen throughout the world. We
have made and here gathered together ob-
1ccts OF use and beauty the products OF
American ski.l and Invention. hut we have
also made men who rule themselves.
1t "a an exalted mission in which We and
our guests from other lands arc engaged as
We cooperate Ia the Inauguration Of an eu-
terpfise devoted to human enlightenment;
and in the undertaking We here enter upou,
We e1emplfy IN the nob!c7t sense the brother
hood OF nations.
Let us hold fast 10 the meaning that under
lies this ceremony and let US not lose the i'm
presslveLess oi this moment As by = touch
the machinery that g yes lie 20 this vast cx
position Ia now set IN motion, so at the same
instant let our hopes and aspiraiions awaken
forces which in all time TO come shall nfiu-
ence the welfare. tue dignity and the freedom
Of mankind.
Al the conclusion oi lis address. tho prcs!-
dent touched the button, and the Worlds
Columbian exposition Of 1893 was ushered
into official existence. The huge fountains
200 feet away from the grand stand threw q
volume Of water seventy feet into the air,
aud the roaring Of the engines in machinery
hall. quarter OF mile away. told the multi
tude that the electric spara had done It's
duty.
"Old Glory was released from IL. embrace
by the same subtle fluid, and proudly fou,ed
in the breeze. Ele ciric fountains reflected
their prismatic colors through the plaza. and
tho huge figure OF the Republic parted with
its drapery and stood forth in all its golden
beauty, welcoming all The nations of The earth
10 the imperial city OF the West. The chimes
IN Manufacturers Hall and 10 the German
building pealed forth the Intelligence tha,
The great exposition Is now open Ont in the
harbor the Micb.gan's guns pealcd forth the
national salute, while every steam whistle
added its din 10 the confusion. The crowd
made all the noise that It could, while Theo-
dore Thomas seemed disgustcd thar bis mus!-
clans playing Handel'- A'Halleiujah Chorus
could not be heard.