Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1893-05-04
The Worlds Columbian Exposition

Was opened on Monday, May i, with
becoming ceremony. In the midst OF
mighty throng Of American citizens. sur
rounded by members of his cabinet, by
high officials OF various States. by numer-
Gus and distinguished representatives
from lands across the sea- President Cleve-
land at noon pressed the button which
started the machinery and declared the
exposition open to the nations of the
earth.
1t was notable day-one that will
mark an epoch in the history of America.
The ceremonies were in keeping with the
genius of our people. The crowd in
attendance is estimated from 10000 to
100000. Ate o'clock a great procession
was formed and The march to the grounds
was begun Along the streets OF Chicago
moved concourse of the highest digna-
ta.ies of earth, and the march was at
tended by an almost unbroken diapason
Of cheering.
From the center of the platform proper
there was raised special stand, and
upon this were chairs for President Cleve-
land. Vice President Stevenson, the Duke
Of verangua and his party, and highe-
national and local officers OF the fair
Immediately in the rear were sections
assigned to members of the diplomatic
corps. while to their right and left other
officials and guests of the occasion were
arranged. Behind these we're placed the
orchestra. In front of all, occupying
two wings of the right and left9f the
speakers stand were some 800 lepresen-
tatives of the press, who represented
nearly every civilized nation on the face
OF the globe.
1t was an inspiring scene that met the
vision of the Chief Executive Of the nation
as he was escorted to his seat. Before
him was such throng as he had never
faced before, preempting every foot OF
space between the platform and the edge
OF the bas:. behind, covering the walks
and lawns 10 the East and West as far as
the eye could sweep. All was now in
readiness for the Inauguration OF the
exercises proper.
1t had been intended to precede the
speech making with a grand chorus Of
1000 voices. but owing to an oversight in
drawing the plans of the platform. this
feature was eliminated and in its place
was rendered the Columbian March, COM
posed for the occasion by Prof. John X.
Paine. Theodore Thomas welded the
baton and coo instruments responded to
his wand of authority.
As the music died away the blind Chap
lain of .he United States Senate, the Rev.
DIR. ". II. Milburn. led in solemn invo-
cation for the divine blessing. AS he
retired to his seat Miss Jessie Couthoni,
the Chicago reader. and elocutionist of
national reputation, was escorted to the
speakers stand, and in clear and impress
sive tones that could be heard distinctly
by the 1000 guests upon the platform,
and which penetrated far into the audi
torium, commenced to read the opening
stanzas of the poem of the 6ay. This
was entitled "The Prophesy,' and is the
production of w A. Cruffut, member
of the journalistic profession at the
national capital. Hearty applause re-
warded the reader.
When President Cleveland was intro
duced he arose slowly from his seat and
swept his eyes over the occupants OF the
platform and then over the greatest audi
ence that ever man faced. Then went up
a cheer that seemed to shake the massive
dome of the building behind him. which
reverberated through the grounds like
the rattle of musketry. Foreigners and
natives alike joined in acclaim at the
sight of the representative of the, ,sover-
eign people of the republic At last,
when throats and arms alike we're tired
and semblance of quiet had once more
come over the throng, he commenced his
address. He said:
Il am here to join my fellow-citizens
in the congratulations which befit this
occasion. Surrounded by the stupendous
results of American enterprise and actig-
ity, and in view of the magnificent evi-
dences of American skill and intelligence,
we need not fear that these congratula-
tions will be exaggerated. We stand
to-day in the presence of the Oldest