The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-02


iahu on the globe that has language but has
Deen visited. and the invitation OF tie President
OF the United states personally presented For
tunately, az the inception OF this enterprise our
government was ard still Is at peace with the
world commissioners were sent TO Europe, TO
Asia, to- Australia, British North America and TO
the Islands or the seas; so that to-day the whole
world knows and is familior with the signif-
canoe OF the great peace festival we about 10
ihaugafate upon this campus, and all the nations
CRATES.
This Enclosure. containing nearly seven hun
uled acres. covered by more than four hundred
structures, from the small State pavilion occupy
INK an ordinary building site To the colossal
structure OF the Manufactures and Liberal Arts
Building, covering thirty acres. is filled and
crowded with display OF tie achieN ements aud
products OF the mind and hand OF man. such
as mas never before been presented TO mortal
vision. The habits. customs and life OF
tue people OF and foreign lands
are shown IN the variegated plaisance; those
stately buildings on the north are filled with the
historical treasures and natural products OF our
several States. The artistic characteristic and
beautiful editices. the headquarters or foreign
commissions surrounding the gallery OF fine arts.
which In itself will be an agreeable surprise 10
the American beholder, constitute the grand cen
tral zone or social and friendly amenities among
the different peoples OF the EARTH
surrounding this grand plaisance where we
stand and reaching from the north pond to the
extreme south Is the great mechanical. scien-
tlnc, INDUSTRIAL and agricultural exhibition or
the resources ana pr ducts or the world. These
have been secured from the four quarters OF the
globe ana placed in systematic order under the
supervision or these great departments; and
While all the material upon the grounds is not
yet In place. am gratfed 10 be able TO present
70 the PRESIDENT OF the United States at this time
the official catalogue containing a description
ana the location of the exhibits OF 10000 par
tclpants In the exposition. The number OF ex-
hioltors will exceed 10000 when everything is in
place.
The citizens of our country arc proud. and al
ways Will DO proud, OF the action OF the Congress
OF the United states OF America in authorizing
and directing the celebration to take place, for
the appropriations OF more than five millions Of
dollars In Its aid and for the answering sup
port and announcement of the officers OF the
government To the states OF the Union we are
largely indebted for active and substantial sup
port sum IN excess of six millions OF dollars
nos been raised and expended by the states
and territories for their official use
IN promoting their own interests conformity
with the general success of the exhibition. To
the foreign nations who have a representation
upon these grounds mover before witnessed at
any exposition, as shown by the grand exhibits
tney nave brought here and the hundreds OF
Official representatives OF foreign governments
who are present. We bow in grateful thanks.
More than six millions OF dollars have been OIL
clally appropriated for these commissions in
ftrtherance of their participation in the exposl-
uOn The great nations or Europe and their
dependencies are all represented upon these
grounds. The governments of Asia and OF Afri-
ca, and the republics of tho western hemisphere,
with but fSw' exceptions. are represented.
TO the citizens and corporation OF the city OF
Chicago, who have furnished Sll 600, 900 as a
contribution. and in addition have loaned the
management S5,00O,O 900 more. are due the crate
ful acknowledgment or our own people and OF
all the honOred guests who share with us the ad-
NantaEes OF this great and international festival
To the tens OF thousands OF exhibitors who have
contributed In larger amount than all Others
combined. we are now under the deepest
obligations for their interest and co-opera-
ton. To the women OF Chicago and
great land whose prompt, spontaneous and en-
thusiastic cooperation in our work turned tho
eyes OF the world toward the exposition as to-
ward a new star of the eaSt-an inspiration for
womanhood eyerywhere-we extend our cordial
and unstinted recognition. II ia our hope that
this great exposition may inaugurate a new era
or moral and material progress. and our fervent
aspiration that the association of the nations
here may secure. not only warmer and stronger
friendships, but lasting peace throughout the
The grand concerted illustration of modern
progress which is here presented for the en-.
couragement OF art. science. Of industry. OF
commerce. has necessitated an expenditure, in.
Guiding the outlay of our exhibitors, largely in
excess OF SlOO.OOO,OOO We have given IL our
constant thought. our most devoted service, our
best energy and now. in this central city of this
great Republic on the continent discovered By
CoIumous, whose distinguished descendants are
only remains for you, Mr.. President If, in your
opinion, the exposition here presented Is COM
mensurate In dignity with what the world should
expect Of our great country to direct that it
shall be opened 70 the public, and when you
touch this magic key the ponderous machinery
VIII start IN It's revolutions and the activities OF
this exposition will begin.
PRESIDENT CLEvELAND's ADDRESS.
As the Director general stepped back the
President of the United States stepped for
ward. and the climax of the ovstions of
the day was reached. For. minutes the
crowd choered over and over again. and men
five hundred feet away tossed their hats In
the air. waved their umbrellas, and other
wise disported themselves In frantic ex-
hibItions of their enthusiasm. The Presi-
dent bowed once or twice, and then spoke
as follows:
am here to join my fellow-citizens in the con-
gratulations which befit this occasion. Sur
rounded by the stupendOus results OF American
enterprise and activity and in view of magniti-
cent evidences of American skill and intelli
gence, we need not fear that these congratula-
tons will he exaggerated. We stand to-day in
the presence or the Oldest nations OF the world
and point TO the great achievements we have
here exhibited, asking no allowance on the score
OF youth: ,.,. -
our work intensifes the warmth of the greeting
we extend &c those who have come from foreign
lands 70 illustrate with US the growth and
progress OF human endeavor in the direction OF a
higher civilization. We who believe that popu-
lar education and the stimulation OF the best I'M
pulses OF our citizens lead the way 70 a reallZa-
ton of the proud national destiny which our
faith promises gladly welcome the opportun-
ity here afforded ms 10 see the results
accomplished by efforts which have been
exerted longer than ours In the field OF mems
improvement, while in appreciative return we
exhibit the unparalleled advancement and Won
derful accomplishments OF young Nation, and
present the triumphs or vigorous, seif-relianJ
and independent people. We have built these
splendid edifces, but We have, also. built the
magnificent fabric OF popular government
whose grand proportions are seen through that
work. We have made and have gathered to-
gether objects OF use and beauty, the products
OF American skill and invention; we have, also,
made mon who rule themselves.
1t is an exalted mission in which we and our
guests frsm other lands are engaged, as we CO.
operate In the inauguration or an enterprise de-
voted TO human enlightenment, and in the I'M
dertakng We here enter upon We exempllfy in
the nob!est sense the brotherhood OF nations
Let Us hold fast TO the meaning that underlies
this ceremony and let US not lose the impressive
ness OF this moment As by a touch the ma
chinery that gives life 10 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 mankind.
At the conclusion of his address the Pres
ident touched the electric button and the
Worlds Columb lan Exposition of 1893 was
ushereG into official existence. The huge
fountains three hundred feet away from
fifty to seventy feet into the air. and the
roaring of the engines in Machinery Hall,
n quarter of q mile away. told the mnlti-
tude that the electric spark had done it's
duty.
As soon as the ceremonies attendant upon
the formal opening OF the exposition were
over President Cleveland. Governor Alt
geld, Mayor Harrison, the Duke of NeraRua
and other notables were conducted to the
dining hall on the third floor of the Admin
istration binding. where they were enter
tanned at dinner by the worlds fair officials.