The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-05-01


beauty, the produces of American skill and inven-
ton; we nave also made men who rule them
selves
1t is an exalted mission on which we and
our guests from other lands are engaged, as we
cooperate in the Inauguration of an enterprise
devoted to human enllahtment and in the un-
dertaking we here enter upon, we sexemplify III
the noblest sense the brotherhood of natioas.
Let us hold fast to the meaning that underles
this ceremony. and let us not lose the impress
siyeness Of this moment. AS by touch the
machinery 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 integrity, the freedom of mankind.
TOUCHING THE BUTTON.
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 pressure
upon which was to start the machinery.
and make the opening of the exposition
an accomplished fact. It was an ordinary
form of Victor Telegraph key such as is In
use in most telegraph offices, except that it
was of gold instead of steel, and q button
of ivory instead of rubber. 1t rested
upon pedestal upholstered In navy blue
and goldeu-yellow plush, and oD the
sides of the lower tier, in silver letters,
were the significant dates, 1899 and
1893. AS the last words fell from
the Presidents lips he pressed his
finger upon the button. This WAS
the signal for demonstration,
in fact. difficult of imagination and infn-
itely more SO of description. Az one and
tbs same instant the audience burst into
laundering shout, the orchestra pealed
forth the strains of the Hallelujah
Chorus, the wheels Of the great Allis- en-
gine in Machinery Hall commenced &c re-
volve, the electric fountains In the
lagoon threw their torrents toward the
sky, a flood Of water gushed forth from
rb N,.t t.si n md
again into the basin, the thunder of al
tlllery came from the vessels in the lake,
the chime in Manufactures Hall and on
| the German building rang out a merry
peal, and overhead the flags at the tops OF
the poles in front of the platform fell
apart and revealed two gi dsd models OF
the ships in which Columbus hrst sailed
TO American shores. AT the same mo-
msnt also hundreds of flags, of all
nations, and all colors were unfurled
| within sight of the platform. The larg-
est was great "Oid Glory" which fell
into gracefold folds from the top of the
center staff in front OF the stand. The
roof of the Manufactures building was
gorgeous in red goufalons, while the
Agricultural Building was dressed in
ensigus of orange ana white. 1t was q
wonderful scene of transformation, aud
amid it all cannon continued to thunder
and the crowd to cheer. 1t was fully
supsided, Then the band played "Ameri-
ca,nand the exercises were at an end. The
Columbian Exposition was open TO the
| nations of the world. 1t was precisely
the hour of noon when Grover Cleveland
touched the button, and thus declared
the opening an accomplished TACT.
AFTER THE OPENING.
The inner wants of the distinguished
guests now demanded the consideration
OF the Committee of ARRANGEMENTS. and
| with President Cleveland at their head,
arm in arm with President Palmer, they
were escorted to the third floor of the
Administration building. Here covers
guests. comprising he Presiden-
t,al, Vice Presidential. the Ducal
parties, Generals Schofield aud Miles,
Admiral Gherardi, Governor Allgeld and
Mayor Harrison. the officers of the Com
mission and Exposition, Mrs. Potter
Palmer and members of the Council OF
Administration. The party sat at a
Palmer at his right, and the
| Duchess of Veragoa 7at his
left. The luncheou. which was 4
simple one, was served by fofty-four
walters, Que for each State. The table
was set with specially imported china and
CUT glass, aud a silver service designed
for the occasion after an old English pat
tern, There were no toasts. aud The lun-
cheon occupied little more than an
hour. No wine, except champagne, was
served and cigars. owing to the presence OF
ladies, Were dispensed with. AT che coz
clusion of the luncheon President Cleve-
land was escorted TO the foreign section Of
Manufacturers Hall. where he received
the Commissioners from foreign coun-
rrios. Afterwards he was driven over
to the Women's Building and
witnessed portion of the exercises incl
dent to its formal dedication. From nere
he was driven directly back to the ter
minal station on the Worlds FAIR
grounds This evening at five O'Clock he
will leave for Washington on special
train,