Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-05-13
President CIsysl and's Sp ,ech.

1t was now the turn Of the president
to present himself, and as he slowly
rose from his seat he swept his eyes,
first over the occupants of the platform,
and then over one of the greatest audi
cnces that ever man faced. There
went up a cheer that seemed to shake
the massive dome on the building be-
hind him and which reverberated
through the grounds like the rattling
of fnusketry. All the while Mr.. Cleve-
lanb stood erect. his left hand behind
him, his right nervously lingering the
button of his frock coat. At last when
semblance of quiet had once more
come over the throng, he commenced
his address This is what he said:
l am here to join my fellow citizens in
the congratulations which befit this occa-
sion. Surrounded by the stupenoous re-
suits OF American enterprise and activity,
and in view OF the magnificent evidences
of skill and intelligence, 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 10 the
great achievement here exhibited, asking
no allowance on the score Of youth. The
enthusiasm with which we contemplate
our work intensifies the warmth OF the
greeting we extend to those who have
come from foreign lands to illustrate with
us the growth and progress of human en-
deavor In the direction OF a higher civili-
cation. We who believe that popular
education and the stimulation OF the bes :
impulses of our citizens lead the way to a
realization OF the proud national destiny
which our faith promises, gladly welcome
the opportunity here afforded us to see
the results accomplished by efforts which
have been exerted longer than ours IN the
field OF mans improvement, while in appre-
ciative return we exhibit the unparalleled
advancement and wonderful accomplish
ments of young nation, and present the
triumphs OF vigorous, self-reliant and
splendid edihces, but we have also built
the magnificent fabric Of popular gov
ernment, whose grand proportions
are seen throughout the world.
We have made and have here
gathered together objects OF use and
beauty, the products OF American skill
and invention; but we have also made
men who rule themselves. II u an ex-
alted mission in which we and our guests
from other lands are engaged Is we CO.
operate ia the Inauguration of an enter
prise devoted to human enlightenment
and in the undertaking we here enter
upon, we exemplify in the noblest sense
the brotherhood of nations. Let
us hold fast to the meaning
that underlies this ceremony, and let us
not lose the impressiveness of this mo-
ment. AS by a touch the machinery that
gives life TO this vast exposition Is now
set in motion. so at the same instant lie,
our hopes and inspirations awaken forces
which in all time TO come shall influence
tho welfare, the dignity, and the freedom
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 pres
sure upon which was TO start
the machinery and make the
opening an accomplished fact II
was the ordinary form of Victor tele
graph key In use in most telegraph of.
fees except that IL was of gold instead
of steel with q button of ivory instead
of bone. 1t rested upon pedestal up
holstered In navy blue and golden vel
low plush, and on the sides of the
lower tier, In silver letters were the
significant dates, 1922 and 1893. Al
the last words fell from the presidents
lips he pressed his finger upon the but
ton. This was tho signal for demon
stration--a series of demonstrations, in
fact, difficult of imagination, and in
finitely more 30 of description. At one
an the same instant the audience burs,
into q laundering shout and the orches
ira pealed forth tho strains of ths
"Hailelujah" chorus, the wheels of the
great Allis engine in machinery hal
commenced to revolve, tho electri,
fountain In the lagoon threw their tor
rents toward the sky, Aood o.
water gushed from the McMonnie
fountain and rolled back again into th,
basin. A thunder of artillery came
from the vessels In the Lake, the chimes
In manufacturers hall and ON the Ger
man building rang out merry peal
and overhead the flags at the tops o
the poles in front of the platform fel
apart and revealed two gilded model
OF the ships In which Columbus firs
sailed to American shores. At the sam,
moment also 1000 flags, of all nations
and all colors, were unfurled withiE
sight Of the platform The largest wa
. great "old glory" which fell intt
graceful folds from the top Of the ceutel
sta6 In front of the stand. 4
ives . wonderful scene of ftransformatiou
and amid II all cannon continued x
thunder and the crowd TO ohOor, q