The Washington bee., 1893-05-06
THE WORLDS FAIR OPEN.
THE PRESIDENT TOUCHED THE
BUTTON ON MONDAY, MAY !.

With Booming Cannon, Fluttering Ban
ners and Shouting Thousands,the Machin-
cry starts-Interesting Ceremonies-Much
Work Yet to be Done.
The great worlds fair at Chicago was
formerly opened to the public on Mon
day, May 1st. There were large num-
Der of guests present, including the
President and his Cabinet, the Duke &c
Veragua, members of Congress, many
Governors of States, and some 1900 other
distinguished persons. An immense
crowd witnessed the event.
The opening ceremonies were held IN
front of the east entrance to the Admin
istration Building. A grand stand had
been erected on which were seated the
1900 invited guests, 600 musicians and
$50 newspaper men, besides the distln-
guished government and fair officials
who occupied special platform thrown
out in front.
At the appointed time, the President
touched the golden electric button, and
the machinery of the great fair began in
stantly to move. At the same moment
the national flag broke from the hal
yards of the centre flagstaff of the Adj
ministration Building and 700 other flags,
and banners sprung to sight on the
various other buildings, a national salute
of 81 guns was fired from the warship
Michigan, and the mammoth electric
fountains began to play.
The opening day found the great build
ings of the fair all practically completed,
although some interior decorating yet
remains to be done. About half of the
exhibits were in place, and the general
work of clearing up and putting on the
finishing touches remains to be done. 1t
will be fully month before the fair is
in complete running order.
The ceremonies began at 10 o'clock,
with the performance of John K. Paine's
columbian March" w. H. Milburn,
chaplain of the National House of Rep
resentatives, then invoked the blessings
of heaven on the Columbian enterprise.
"The Prophecy" written for the Fair by
w. A. Croffut, of Washington, was
read, and after an orchestral overture
Director General Davis, as master of
ceremonies, made the opening address
and introduced President Cleveland
The President spoke as follows, in a
clear and far-reaching voice:
am here to join my fellow citizens in
the congratulations which befit this oc-
casion. Surrounded by the stupendous
results of American enterprise and activ.
ity, and in view of magnificent evidences
of American skill and intelligence, we
need not feel that these congratulations
will be exaggerated. We stand to-day
in the presence of the oldest nations of
the world and point to the great achieve.
ments we here exhibit, asking no allow
ance on the score of youth.
The enthusiasm with which we con-
template our work intensifes 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 q
higher civilization.
We, whS believe that popular educa-
ton and the stimulation of the best i'm
pulses of our citizens lead the way to a
realization of the national destiny
| which our faith promises, gladly well
come the opportunity here afforded us to
see the results accomplished by efforts
which have been exerted longer than
ours in the fields of mans improvement;
while in appreciative return we exhibit
| the unparalleled advancement and WON
| derful accomplishments of young ma
| ton, and present the triumphs Of Wig
| orous, self reliant and independent peo-
pie.
We have built these splendid edifces,
but we have also built the magnificent
fabric of a popular government whose
grand proportions are seen throughout
the world. We have made and here
gathered together objects of use and
beauty, the products 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 en-
gagged, as we cooperate in the Inaugural
tion of an enterprise devoted to human
enlightenment; and in the undertaking
we here enter upon we exemplify in the
nobest sense the brotherhood of nations.
Let us hold fast to the meaning that
underlies this ceremony, and let US not
lose the impressivenes of this moment.
AS by touch the machinery that gives
life to this vast Exposition is now set in
| motion, so aC the same instant leC our
hopes and aspirations awaken forces
which in all time to come shall influence
the welfare, the dignity and the freedom
of mankind.
After the address, the President ad.
vanced and placed his finger on the but
ton that started the great engine, amid
a scene of indescrible enthusiasm.
After the ceremonies, luncheon was
served to the presidential party, and a
reception was held. The President and
party then entered carriages and were
driven to the Manufacturers Building
where the President met the foreign
commissioners A tour of the various
buildings was then made, the Presiden
being present at the dedication of thu
Womans' Building.
The President was very much i'm
pressed with the beauty of the World
Fair buildings and the magnificence o.
the general effect as seen during pri
vate tour of the grounds on Saturday.
A Rush of Immigrants.
A New York dispatch says that ter