The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1893-05-11
THE WORLDS GREAT FAIR.
Grover Pushed the Button that
Set the Big Show In Mo-
ton In the Presence OF
rs, 900 People.
Cleveland's Speech.

ClcAao, May 8, 1898.
Editor Post:
Since the pressing Of the button on
the LIST inst. by President Cleveland,
which set to whirling and buzzing the
many thousand wheels and different
kinds of machinery, enclosed in the
Exposition's great magnificent build
ings, Chicago has presented the
picture of world almost within
itself.
On the first instant q gathering Of
at least $4,000 people from all quar-
tcrs of the globe witnessed thc open
ing ceremonies of the great fair. 1t
was simply immense, and no eye
witness can begin to give more than
mere idea as to it's unbounded great
ness.
When the President reached tho
platform, an orchestra Of six hun
drcd musicians played a Columbian
march composed by Professor John
K. Paine. Then the Rev. W. II.
Milbourn, the blind chaplin Of the
United States Senate, invoked div inc
blessing. After Miss Couthoui had
read w. a. Croffut's poem, "The
Prophecy" Director General Davis
STEPPED to the speakers stand and gave
short resume Of the Exposition from
it's inception to the opening day.
Amid cheers, which lasted for sew
eral minutes, the President then rose
to deliver his address.
He said: 81 am here to join my
fellow citizens in the cong:atulation
which BELTS this occasion. Surround
ed by the stupcndous results of
American enterprise and activity, and
in view of magnificent evidences Of
American skill and intelligence, we
stand to-day in the presence Of the
Oldest nation of the world and ask no
allowance on the score of youth.
Owe, who believe that popular
education and the stimulation of the
best impulses of cur citizens lead to
realization of our national destiny,
gladlyswelcomc the opportunity here
offered US to see the results Of efforts
older than hours in the field of man S
improvement.
"In return we present the advance
ment and wonderful accomplishments
of young nation, and the triumphs
of vigorous, self-reliant and indie
pendent people.
owe have built these splendid ed
itices, and we have also built the
magnificent fabric Of poplar gov
crnment. We made, and here gath
cred together, objects of use and
beauty, we have also made men who
rule themselves.
cit is an cxaulted mission Of which
we and our guests from other lands
are engaged, as we cooperate in the
inauguration of an enterprise devoted
to human enlightenment.
"Let US hold fast to the meaning
that underlieS this ceremony AS
by a touch the machinery that gives
life to this vast Exposition is now
set in motion, so at the same instant
lot our hopes and aspirtions awaken
forces which in all times to come
shall influence the welfare, the dig
nifty and the freedom of mankind"
1t is unpleasant to chronicle the
fact that the Fair is still in very
unfinished state.
The severely of the past winter,
and workmcns' strikes, have consid-
erably delayed the completion of the
buildings, and it has been impossible
as vet to arrange many of the cxhib-
its.
The constant rains have reduced
the grounds to a sea of mud, but it
is hoped that ere the first Of June the
Exposition will be completed and in
order every way.
Two years have witnessed the pre-
l;minary preparations-selection of
site, survey thereof, planting into
lots, boulevards, avenues, streets,
walks, lanes, and the crea ton of the
White City, the greatest and most
beautiful aggregation Of architectural
triumph the world has ever known.