St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-02
dignitaries who had seats on the grand
stand.
The 1900 Columbian Guards

dignitaries who had seats on the grand
stand.
The 1900 Columbian Guards
who surrounded the administration
building made futile effort to keep
back the crowd, but they were swept
forward by the resistless wave and
jammed against the railing until they
themselves became an unrecognizable
part of that incOherent, struggling, but
good-natured and cheering area of hu-
manity.
At IL 80, 10 the minute, the programme
opened with blast from the orchestra.
which rendered the martial air of the
"Columban" march Of John K. Paine.
The music lasted for fiftean minutes,
and at its conclusion Director General
Davis stepped to the front of the plat
form, waved his hand upplicatingly
two or three times to the vast audience,
and then announced in tone which
was lost in the hum of voices that Rev.
w. II. Milburn would pronounce the in
vocltion. Tho blind chaplain of the
United States house Of representatives
stepped to the front, aided by a Woman's
hand, his adopted daughter. Miss Louie
Gemley, escorting him, and faced the
multitude which he could not even see,
but whose presence he felt by the very
animation that
Perncated the Atmosphere.
He Is one of the historic characters of
American politics, first receiving his
appointment as chaplain Of the house
of representatives some years ago, and
lately being selected chaplain OF the
United States senate. During his long
residence in Washington Mr.. Milburn
has been the intimate acquaintance of
presidents, cabinet officials, senators
and congressman, until today, although
blind, he probably recognizes by the
timbre.of their voices more men PROM
inent in American life than 1t has been
the lot of most men to ever know. After
brief pause, when the mrrmur of
voices had ceased the blind chaplain
uttered an eloquent prayer.
1.-The Prophecy" an ode written by
w. A. Crotfut in honor Of the eXposi-
ton, was next on the programme. 1t
was read by Miss COuthoui, a delicate
young woman whose enunciation was
perfect, but whose voice was. of course,
lost to all except the immediate circle.
The overture Of "Rienzi," by Wagner,
was next rendered by the orchestra,
and then Director General Davis. on
behalf Of the exposition, delivered an
address.
As the director general stepped back
the president of the United States
stepped forward, and the climax of the
minutes the crowd cheered over and
over again, and men 500 feet away
tossed their hats in the air, waved their
umbrellas and otherwise disp0rted
themselves in frantic exhibitions of
their enthusiasm. The president bowed
once or twice, and then spoke as fol-
lows:
An Exalted Mission.
~ am here to join my fellow citizens
In the congratulations which befit this
oc casion. Surrounded by the stu
pendous results of American enterprise
and activity. and in view of magnificent
evidences of American skill and intel
ligence, we need not fear that these
congratulations will be exaggerated.
We stand today 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. The enthusiasm with which
we contemplate our work intensiies the
warmth OF the greeting we extend to
those who have come from foreign
lands to illustrate with us the growth
and progress OK human endeayor i'll the
direction of a higher civilization.
We who believe that popular edu-
cation and the stimulation of
the best impulses OF. our citizens lead
the way to realization of The proud
national destiny which our faith prom
ises, gladly welcome the opportunity
here afforded US to see the results ac-
complished by efforts which have been