The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-02

our citizens lead the way TO the realiza-
tiop of a proud national destiny, which our
past promises. gladly welcome The oppoI-
tunity here afforded us TO see me re-
suits accomplished by efforts Whlch nave
been exerted longer than ours IN lhe heiu
of mans improvements Wmle lN "fft
ciqtive return We exhibit unparalleled
advancement and wonderful accomplish
ment of a young nation, and present the
triumphs Of vigorous sclf-reliant ana IN
dependent people. We have built these
spiendd edihces. bat we have also built
"a magnificent fabric of popular Govern
ment. whose grand proportions are seen
throughout the world. we have made
and here gather together objects oil use
and beauty products OF American shlii
and invention. but we have also made
men who rule themselves. IL is an exalted
mission i'm which we and our guests from
other lands are engaged, as We cooperate
I'm Inauguration of am enterprise DEVOTED
10 human enlightenment. and 10 the uh-
dertalling we here enter upon we eA-
emplifv in the nOblest sense the br1thef-
hood Of nations. Let us hold fast To lhe
nearing that underlics this ceremony
and let us not lose the imprefsNeness
of this moment, as by touch the ma
chinery that gives life 20 this vast tx
pOsitiOn is now set iu motion, 50 al lhe
same instant, let our hopes and asplfa-
uoDs awaken the forces which 10 an
time TO come shall influence me MtllaIe'
dignity and freedom Of mankind
As the President was concluding lhe
last sentence his eyes wondered 10 the
table which was close al bis lelt mana.
TTpon this was a button, the pressure
upon which was 20 start the machinery
and make the opening ~ the Exposition
an accomplished fact IL was an Ordinary
form of victor telegraph key, such as ls
/
was of gold Instead Of steel, and a button
OF ivory instead Of rubber. IL rested
upon pedestal, upholstered In navy hiue
and golden yellow plush, and on the sides
of the lower tier in silver letters were the
significant dates 1892 and lb93. As tne last
words fell from the Presidents lips he
pressed his finger upon the button. Ihls
was signal for the demonstration, I'm
fact difficult OF imagination, and infinitely
more so Of description. AT one and the
same instant the audience burst into
laundering shout the orchestra pealed
forth the strains OF IiallaluJah chorus
the wheel OF the great Allis engine M
Machinery hall. commenced 10 reFolFe'lhe
electric fountains i'm the lagoon threw
their torrents toward the Sky, q hood OF
ryater eushQd forth from the McAinnics
fountain and rolled back again into the
basin. the thunder Of artillery came from
vessels in the lake, the chimes in Manu-
facturerS' nall ana on iHi W. H"A N.'-tf
ing rang ont merry peal and overhead
the fags al the tops Of the poles in front
OF the platform fell apart and revealed
two gildcd models of the ships In which
Columbus first sailed 20 the American
shores.
Al the same moment also hundreds on
aoes of all nations and ail colors were
unfurled within sight Of the platform:
Tbe largest was the great "Old Glory
which felI into graceful folds from the
ton of the centre staff in front or the
stand. The roof cf the manufacturers
bunding was dressed in ensigns OF orange
and white. It was a wonderful scene or
Transformation and amid II an cannon
continued 10 thunder, and the crowd 10
cheer. IL was fully ten minutes before
the demonstration subsided Then the
band PLAYED America. and exercises were
az an end. The Columbian Exposition
was open 10 the nations Of the world. IL
was precisely the hour Of noon When
Grover Cleveland touched the button,
and thus declared the opening an ac-
complished fact
The crowd I'm attendance WAS enormous
and was yariousiy estimated AZ lMep 70
i75 COO Before the ceremonies we're halt
over. twenty women and nalf as many
man had been removed unconscious 10
the hospital. where a corps OF physicians
was In waiting. Most OF them had simply