Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-05-12

greeting We extend to those who have come
from foreign lands to illustrate with Us the
growth and progress OF human endeavor in
the direction of higher civilization
''We who believe that popular education
and the stimulation Of the best impulses OF
our citizens lead the vav to a realization OF
the National destiny which our faith prom
ises gladly welcome the opportunity here az
forded Us 70 see the results accomplished By
efforts which have been exerted longer than
ours in the field OF man 5 improvement. while
in appreciative return we exhibit the unpar-
alleled advancement and wonderful accom-
plishments of q young Nation and present the
triumrhs Of a vigorous. seif-reliant and indie
pendent people. We have built these splendid
edihces, but we have also built the magnif-
cent fabric of n popular Government. whose
grand proportions are seen throughout the
world. We have made and here gathered to-
gether objects OF use and beauty. the prod
ucts OF American skill and invention we
have also made men who rule themselves
1T is an exalted mission in which we and
| our guests from other lands are engaged, as
we cooperate in the inauguration Of an en-
te7prise devoted to human enlightenment :;
and in the undertaking We here enter upon
we eXemplify in the n05iest sense the brother
hood of Nations.
Let Us hold fast TO tIa meaning that IN
derlies this ceremony. and let not lose the
impressiyeness of this moment. As by a touch
| the machinery that gives life to this vast tx
position is now set in motion. 50 ar the same
| instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken
forces which in all time to come shall in
! fluence the welfare, the dignity and the free
dom of mankind"
As the President was concluding the final
sentence his eyes wandered to the table
that was close at his left hand. Upon this
was the button. the pressure upon which
was to start the machinery and make
the opening of the Exposition an accom-
plished fact. As the last words fell from the
Presidents lips he pressed his finger upon
the button. This was the signal for n dem
onstration, in fact. difficult of Imagination,
and infinitely more 50 of description. At one
and the same instant the audience burst
into a laundering shout, the orchestra
pealed forth the strains OF the Hallelujah
engine in Machinery Hall commenced
to revolve. the electric fountains in
the lagoon threw their torrents toward the
sky, a flood of water gushed forth from the
McMonnies fountain, and rolled back again
into the basin, the thunder of artillery came
from the vessels in the lake, the chimes in
Manufacturers Hall and on the German
Building rang out merry peal.
At the same moment hundreds of flags, OF
all Nations, and all colors were unfurled
within sight of the platform. The largest was
a great cold Glory" which fell into graceful
folds from the top Of the center staff in front
of the stand. The roof of the Manufacturers
Building was gorgeous II red gOntaiOnS,
W0ll6 the ACrlculLurdl was ureSStHl
in ensigns OF orange and white. 1t
wonderful scene Of transformation. and amid
it all cannon continued to thunder, and toe
crowd to cheer. It was fully ten minutes be-
fore the demonstration subsidized. Then tho
band played America" and the exercises
were at an end. The Columbian Exposition
was open to the Nations of the world.
The inner wants of the distinguished
| guests now demanded the consideration of
the Committee of Arrangements, and, with
President Cleveland at their head, arm-in-
arm with President Palmer, they were es
corted for lunch to the third floor of
! the Administration Building. At the
| conclusion Of the luncheon President
! Cleveland was escorted to the foreign section
| Of Manufacturers Hall, where he received
| the commissioners from foreign countries.
Afterwards he was driven over to the Wo-
mans Building, and witnessed a portion Of
the exercises incident to its formal dedica-
ton. From here he was driven directly back
| to the terminal station on the Worlds Fair
! Grounds. That evening at o'clock he LETT
| for Washington on d special train.
| The thrOng of people was so great dur
| ing the progress of the exercises that num-
| Der of persons tainted and had to be re-
| moved to the hospital.
| The total attendance on the first day OF tae
| Fair was given out as 44O, 900 people.