The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-05-02

Hncd with cheering thousands to the
grounds of the exposition. There the for
mal exercises were gone through with.
The blind chaplain Of the national con-
Rress invoked the blessing Of God upon
the undertaking about to be consum-
mated; poem celebrating the voyage of
Columbus was read in manner fitting
the time and place; Director General Davis
presented the completed buildings to the
president of the United States, and that
officer, representing the power and ma
testy of sixty millions of American citi-
Hens, after brief but sinGularly apt and
happy speech, declared the Worlds Col
umbian exposition fully opened. The
president spoke as follows:
The Presidents Speech.
81 am here to join my fellow citizens In
Che congratulations which betit this occa-
don. Surrounded by the stupendous re-
nults OF American enterprise and activity,
and in view of magnificent evidences of
American skin and intelligence, we need
not fear that these congratulations will be
exaggerated. Westand today in the pres
ence of the Oldest nations of the world,
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 illus
trate with us the growth and progress of
human endeavor in the direction of a
higher civilization.
.sWe who believe that popular education
and the stimulation of the best impulses
of our citizens lead the way to realiza-
tion of the national destiny which our
faith promises, gladly welcome the oppor-
tunity 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 apprecative
return we exhibit the unparalleled ad-
vancement and wonderful accomplish.
ments of young nation, and present the
triunphs of vigorous, self reliant and
Independent people. We have built these
splendid edifces. but we have also built
the magnificent fabric of popular gov
ernment, whose grand proportions are seer
throughout the world We have mad'
and here gathered together objects OF us'
and beauty, the products of American skill
aud invention; we have also maze mel
who rule themselves.
..It is an exalted mission in which WI
and our guests from other lands are en-
gagged, as we cooperate in the inaugura
tion Of an enterprise devoted to human en-
fiRhteument; and in the undertaking W
here enter upon we exemplify an tn
uoblest sense the brotherhood of nations
Let MS hold fast to the meaning that un
derlies this ceremony, and let us not los
the impressivcness of this moment. As b
touch tho machinery that gives life t
this vast enterprise is now set in motion
so at the same moment let our hopes an
aspirations awaken forces which in al
time to come shall influence the welfare
the dignity and the freedom of mankind.
A-BFftNnnt Transformation.
When tha.president finished he toeche
the button which was to start the ms
ehinery and open the exhibition. Th
teuehing of the button was the signal fc
the audience to burst into thunderou
shout The orchestra played the halleluja
chorus the wheels Of the great Allis engir
IN Machinery hall began to revolve, tt
fountains in the lagoon threw up the
fsts OF water. flood of water gushed frol
tho McMonnies fountain and fell into tt
basin, and the thunder of artillery can
frem the vessels In the lake. AT the san
time chimes In Manufacturers hall and c
the German building rang out merl
peal, and overhead the flags at the tops
Che poles in front Of the platform fell apa
and revealed two gilded models of Il
ships in which Columbus first sailed
American shores.
Hundreds of flags Of all nations and q
eolors were also unfurled within sight
the platform, and an immense Unit
States flag fell out from the top OF y
central stan in front of the stand. III
roof OF the Manufacturers building "
gorgeous ip red gonfalons, while the