The Green Forest tribune., 1893-05-04

mains foI you, Mr.. President, if in your
opinion the exposition here presented
is commensurate in dignity with what
the world should expect of our great
country, to direct that it shall be open
ed to the public, and when YOU touch
this magic key the ponderous machin-
cry will start in it's revolution and the
activities of this exposition will begin. +"
Mr.. Cleveland having arisen was kept
several minutes waiting until the ap-
plause should subside after which, with
barred head, he began speaking.
MIR. CLEvELAND's SPEECH.
I am here to join my fellow citizens in the con-
gratuations which benefit this OCCASION Sur
rounded by the stupenudous results OLA merican
enterprise and activity and in view OF magnif-
icent edifce Of American skill snd intelligence
we do not fear that these congratulations will be
exaggerated. We stand today in the presence of
the oldest nations of the world and point to the
great achievements we here exhibit asking no
allowance On the score of youth. The enthu-
siasm with which we contemplate our work in
tensifes the warmth of the greeting we extend
to those who have come from foreign lands to IL
lustrate with us the growth and progress of hui
man endeavor in the direction of higher civiliza-
tion. We, who believe that popular education
and stimulation Of the best impulses of our citi-
zens 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 executed longer than ours in the field
of mans improvement; while i'll appreeiative
return we exhibit the unparalleled advancement
and wonderful accomplishments of young ma
tion and present the triumphs of vigorous, self
reliant, and independent people. We have built
these edihces, out we have also built the mag
nifcent fabric of popular government whose
grand proportions are seen throughout the
world. We have made and here gather together
| objects of use and beauty, the products Of Amer
lean skill and Invention, but we have also made
men who rule themselves tits the mission in
which we and our guests from other lands are
engaged as we cooperate i'll the Inauguration Of
skill to human enlightenment and in the under
taking We here enter upon we eXemplify iii the
| noblest sense the brotherhood of nations Let
us hold fast to the meaning that underlies this
ceremony and let us not loose the impressive
| ness of this moment. AS by touch the machin-
cry that gives life to this vast exposition is now
| set in motion, SO at the same instant let our
hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all
time to come shall influence the welfare the
dignity. and the freedom Of man.
| It was a greater task than the skilled
police force could do to keep the i'm
mense throng from packing into dense
mass where many suffered from fatigue
and embarrassment. The soldiers from
Ft. Sheridan were ordered to clear the
passages through the crowd before the
stricken people could get relief. A pam
ic seemed imminent and the ceremonies
came to an end.
At 12:0S O'Clock, amid cheers and the
deafening noise Of guns and whistles,
President Cleveland touched the golden
key and the greatest exposition in the
history of the world was opened.
The scene at the moment the great
enterprise was officially inaugurated
furnished the only thrill in the cere-
monies save the reception to the Presi-
dent as he came upon the stand. AS
he delivered the last word of his speech
he reached forward his right arm and
rested his forefnger upon the button of
the golden telegraph key which COM
municated with the engineer in charge.
The scene of interest in history, how
ever, was outside. The instant the
president touched the button the men
at the ropes at the. foot of the flag staff
laid hold with a vim of monstrous
American flag in balloon like wad at
the top of the center pole. It broke
forth and broadened out in the air while
at each of the poles at the corners of
the ADMINISTRATION building stout men
hauled aloft great banners upon which
were respectively emblazoned the arms
of CASTLE and Aragon, United States
and Spain. simultaneously from every
flag staff upon all buildings bannerettes
representing various nationalities were
shaken free to the air.
The great water founta gushed
forth and every vessel in the lake
within hearing OF the ground whistled
deafening blasts. Cheers roared forth
from thousands Of spectators about the
platform where the president had
pressed the magic button and then the
crowds melted away. The president
and party set forth to view the building.
The manufactures and fine arts being
the first visited. Thus passed the af-