The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1893-05-06
THU COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION OPEN
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND SAYS so
Two Hundred Thousand People Flock
to the Great Exposition to See
the Button Pressed.

The Worlds Columbian Exposition was
opened on the LIST as per programme. The
weather was not good but the citizens OF
Chicago and the throng of visitors were de-
termined not to miss the ceremonious In
auguration OF the great show.
AT IL O'Clock the coming OF the President
was heralded aud every eye was strained to
see the chief executive and he was greeted
with tremendous roar OF applause when he
mounted the stand.
II 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 de veragua and his family, mem
bcrs OF the diplomatic corps, members oil
Congress, senators and other prominent
dignltaries, 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 unlecogniza-
BILE part of that incoherent, struggling, but
good-natured and cheering, arena Of human
lty.
At II 30 to the minute, the programme
opened with 4 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 Its conclusion
Director General Davis stepped to the front
of the platform, waved his hand supplicat-
ingly two or three times to the vast audi
ence and then announced In a tone which WAS
lost In the hum OF voices that the Rev. w. ii.
Mlburn would pronounce the Invocation.
The blind chaplain OF the United States
House of Representatives stepped TO the
front guided by a woman's hand, his adopted
daughter, Miss LuoI Gcmley escortins him,
and faced the multitude which he could not
eyen see, but whose presence he felt by the
very animation that permeated the atmos-
phcrc. After n brief pause when the muir
muir of voices had ceased, the blind chaplain
uttered the opening prayer.
''rhe Prophecy an ode written by w. n
Crofutt In honor OF the exposition, was next
on the programme 1t was read by Miss
Couthoui, delicate young woman whose
enunelatlon was perfect, but whose voice was,
OF course, lost to all except the immediate
circle.
The overture of 'Rlenzl," by Wagner, was
next rendered by the orchestra, and then
Director General Davis, on behalf Of the eS-
position, delivered the opening address.
Mr.. Davis in his speech described the sys
ten Of management under which the eSposi-
ton has been built, and the cooperation that
had been given by states, foreign nations and
individuals. In closing he said:
The grand concerted illustration OF modern
progress which is here presented for the en-
couragment OF art, OF science, OF Industry
aud commerce has necessitated the expcnJi-
ture, including the outlay OF our exhibitors,
largely in excess of 500, 100000. We have
given 1t our constant thought, our most de-
voted service, our best energies, and now, In
this central city OF this great republic, on
the continent discovered by Columbus, 1t
only remains for you, Mr.. President, II In
your opinion the exposition here presented IS
commensurate In dignity with what the
world should expect Of our great country, to
direct that 1t shall be opened to the public,
and do, When you ,oneh III, msgic sfS vo Rs
lions and the activities OF this exposition Will
begin.
As the director general stepped back the
President Of the United States stepped for
ward and the climax OF the ovatlons of the
DAY was reached Three or four minutes the
crowd cheered over and over again, and men
800 feet away tossed their hats In the air,
waved their umbrellas and otherwise dcported
themselves In frantic exhibitions Of their en-
| thusiasm. The President bowed once or
twice and spoke as follows
| am here to Join my fcllov-cltiz ems In the
/ congratulations which bctt this occasion,
| Surrounded by the stupcndous results Of
American enterprise and activity. and In
| view OF magnificent evidences of American
skill and intelligence, We need not fear that
/ these congratulations will be exaggerated.
l We stand to-day In the presence of the oldcs,
nation, Of the world and point to the great
achievements we here exhibit, asking no al
/ lovancc on the score OF youth.
/ The enthusiasm with which we contemplate
] our work intcnslies the warmth of the greet
| ing We extend to those who have come from
| foreign lands TO illustrate with IL. the growth
] and progress of human endcavor in the dircc-
! ton OF higher civilization. We who be
! licyc that popular education and the stimula.
| ilon of the best impulses of our citizens lead
the way to n realization of the proud national
destiny which our faith promises, gladly vel
! come the opportunity here afforded, to see
| the results accomplished by efforts which
/ have been eNcrted longer than ours in the
! field Of mans improvement, while IN appre-
! cativc return we exhibit the unparalleled adj
! yancement and wonderful accomplishment.
| of young nation and present the triumph.
/ of vigorous, sclf-rciant and independent
! people. We have built these splendid edficc.
but we have also built the magnificent fabric
of n popular government, whose grand proper
tons are seen throughout the world. We
have made and here gathered together oh
jects of use and beauty the products OF
American SKIN and invcrtion; but we have
also made men who rule themselves.
II is an exalted mission in which we and
! our guests from other lands are engaged, as
| we cooperate In the Inauguration OF en-
terpri.e devoted to human enlightenment
! and In the undertaking we here enter upon
we eIemplify in the noblest sense the brother
! hood of nations.
Let us hold fast to the meaning that under
lies this ceremony and let us not lose the i'm
pressiveness Of this moment. As by a touch
the machinery that gives life to this vast ex
instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken
forces which in all time to come shall inilu
ence the welfare, the dignity and the freedom
of mankind.
AT the conclusion of his address, the prcsi
dent touched the button, and the World
Columbian exposition OF 1898 was ushere,
into official existence The huge fountain
200 feet away from the grand stand threw
volume of water seventy feet into the all
and the roaring OF the engines in macliner
hall, quarter of mile away, told the multi
tude that the electric spark had done 1t
duty.
sold Glory was released from its embrac
by the same subtle fluid, and proudly foatc
In the breeze. Ele ctric fountains rcnecte
their prismatic colors through the plaza, an
the huge figure of the Republic parted wit
its drapery and stood forth in all its go!de
! beauty welcoming all the nations of the cart