The state herald., 1893-05-05
THE FAIR OPENED.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND SAYS 80


weather was not good but the citizens Of
Chicago and the throng Of visitors were de-
termined not to miss the ceremonlous in.
auguratlon Of the great show.
At II o'clock the coming Of the Presiden,
was heralded and every eye was strained to
see tho chief executive, and he was greeted
with tremendous roar OF applause whom he
mounted the stand,
1t was the largest audience ever faced by an
American citizen,
Following the President and the director
general were the members Of the cabinet
under the escort OF the Worlds Fair officials,
the Duke dc vcragua and his family, mem,
bers Of the diplomatic corps, members OF
Congress-, senators and other prominent
d!gnitar!es, who were given seats on the
grand stand. The 1000 Columbian guards
which surrounded the administration build
Ing, made full effort TO keep back the
crowd, but they were swept forward by the
restless wave and jammed against the railing
until they themselves became an un tccognlza-
bic part of that incohcrcnt, struggling, but
good-natured and cheering, arena Of human.
lily.
At ll:30, to the minute, the programme
opened with n blast from the orchestra which
rendered the martial air OF the Columbian
march OF John X. Paine. The music lasted
for fifteen minutes, and AT It's conclusion
Director General Davis stepped to the front
OF the platform, waved his hand supplicat.
ingly two or three times TO the vast audi
cnce and then announced Ia tone which was
lost in the hum OF voices that the Rev. W, II.
Milburn would pronounce the invocation.
The blind chaplain of the United States
House OF Representatives stepped to the
front, guided by awoman's hand, his adopted
daughter, Miss Luol Gemlcy cscort!ng him,
and faced the multitude which he could no,
even see, but whose presence he felt by the
very animation that permea,cd the atmos'
phere. After brief pause, when the mur.
muir OF voices had ceased, the bl!nd chaplain
uttered the opening prayer,
"Thc Prophecy" an ode written by W, A.
Cro!utt In honor OF the exposition, was next
on the programme. 1t was read by Miss
Couthoul, delicate young woman whose
enunciatlon was perfect, but whose voice was,
OF course, lost TO all exccp, the immediate
circle.
The overture Of "Rlenzi,n by Wagner, was
next rend cred by the orchestra, and then
Director General Davis, on behalf Of the ex.
position, delivered the opening address.
Mr. Davis In his speech described the sys.
TEN Of management under which the exposi.
lion has been built, and the cooperation tina;
had been given by states, foreign nations md
individuals. In closing he said
The grand concerted illustration of modern
progress which is here presented for the en-.
eouragment OF art, OF science, OF industry
and commerce has necessi.ated the eSpendl.
ture, Including the outlay Of our exhibitors,
largely In excess OF Sl00,000,0V0. We have
givet 1t our constant thought, our most de-
voted service, our best energies, and now, In
thi. central city Of this great republic, on
the continent discovered by Columbus. II
only remains for you, Mr., President, If iu
your opinion the exposition here presented Is
commensurate IN dignity with what the
world should expect Of our great country. to
direct that II shall be opened to the public,
and when you touch hi. magic key the
ponderous machinery will start Ia It's rcyolu-
lions and the activities of this exposition will
begin.
As the director general stepped back the
President OF the United States stepped for.
ward aud the climax Of the ova,ions o. the
day was reached. Three or four minutes the
crowd chcered over and over again, and men
800 feet away tossed their hats In the cir,
waved their umbrellas aad otherwise depor,ed
themselye. IN frEntlc exhibitions OF their en-.
thuslasm. The President bowed once or
twice and spoke as follows;
am here 10 Join my feliov.citi Y ms Ia the
congratulations which bcit thi. occasion.
Surrounded by the s;upondous results OF
American enterprise aud activity, and 10
View OF magnificent ey!denets OF American
skill and intelligence, We need not fear thai
these congratulations Will I've exaggerated.
We stand to-day IN the presence Of the Oldest
nations OF The wp7id and point 10 the great
achievements We here exhibit, asking no al
lowancc on the score o! youth.
The enthusiasm With which we contemplate
our work inten-iiles the warmth OF the greet.
Ing We extend TO those who have come from
foreign lands 10 illustrate with US the growth
and progress OF human endeayor IN the dircc.
tion OF n higher civilization. We who be.
llere that popular education and the stlmua-
ton OF the best impulses Of our citizens lead
The way 10 realization Of the proud national
destiny which our faith promises, gladly vel.
come the opportunity here afforded. 10 see
the results accomplished by effort. which
have been exertcd longer than ours ia the
AtAA Va improvements NHltt IN hDtEc-
clhiiye return We exhibit the unparalleled Ai.
raneement and wonderful accomplishment.
oil young nation aud present the triumph.
OF vigorous, sclf.rcliaHt and independent
people. We have bult these splendid e,lgce,
but We have also built the magnificent fabric
OF popular government. whore grand proper.
ton. arc seen throughout the world. We
have made aud here gathered together oh.
jects OF use and beauty the products OF
American .klll and Invention: hut We have
also made men who rule themselves
II Is an exalted mission in which we and
Our guests from other lands arc engaged, "a
we cooperate IN the Inauguration Of an en-.
ierprlsc devoted TO human enlightenment
and In the undertaking We here enter upon,
We cfcmplliy In the mobiles, sensc the brother.
hood of nations.
Let Us hold fhs, 10 the meaning that under.
lies this ceremony aud let Us not lose the In.
prefslvetcss OF this moment ~ hy touch
the machinery that gives life 10 this vast *.
position i now act In motion, 80 ~ the same
Instant let our hopes and aspirations awRkcr
forces which Ia Rll time 10 come shall inau
cnoc the welfare, the dignity and the freedom
OF mankind.
A, the conclusion Of M. address. the pres!
dent touched the button, aud the World
Columbian exposition Of lsa9 was usherel
into official existence. Tho huge fountain
200 fee, away from the grand stand threw
volume Of water seventy feet into the air
aud the roaring OF the engines IN maehlnrr,
hall, quarter Of q mile away, told the multi
tudc that the electric spark bad done ii
duty.
"old Glory was released from II, embrnc,
by tho same subtle fluid, and proudly loaic,
In the breeze. Elc ctio iounlain, feleeie,
their rri'maiic coiof- through the plaza, an,
tho huge figure Of the Republle parted viii
rs drapcry and stool forth IN oil it, go'del
beauty, welcoming all the nations OF the enttl
to the Imperial city Of the West The chime
IN Manufacturers Hail and IN tho Gerfnal
building pcalcd forth the Intelligence tha
the great exposition Is noa open. on, In III
harbor tho Mlcblghn's guns pcnicd forth III
national salute, while every steam wbl,,l
added ia din 10 the confusion. The GROW,
made nil the noise that Il could, while Thea
doic Thomas seemed Disguised that his mus,
clans playing Handel. "IIallclujah Chorus
could nn, Las h,n,I