Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-05-06

forts which have been exerted longer than
ours in the field Of mans improvements, while
in appreciative return we exhibit the un-
paralleled advancement and wonderful
complishments OF young nation, and
present the triumphs of a vigorous, self
reliant and independent people. We have
built these splendid edifices, but we have also
built the magnificent fabric of popular gov
ernmcnt, whose grand proportions are seen
throughout the world. We have made and here
gathered together objects OF use and beauty,
the products OF American skill and invention;
rule themselves. 1t is an exalted mis-.
sion in which we and our guests from
other lands are engaged, as we cooperate in the
inauguration OF an enterprise devoted to human
enlightenment and in the undertaking we here
enter upon we eXemplify in the noblest
sense the brotherhood of nations. Let us hold
fast to the meaning that underles this cere
mony and let us not lose the impressiveness
of this moment AS by touch the machinery
that gives life TO this vast exposition is 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"
Touched 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
Whlch was 10 start the machnery
and make the opening of the
exposition an accomplished fact, 1t was
an ordinary form of Victor telegraph key,
such as in use in most telegraph offices, except
that it was of gold instead OF steel, and button
of ivory instead OF bone. II rested upon
pedestal upholstered in navy blue and
| golden yellow plush, and on the sides of the
lower tier, in silver letters, were tho significant
dates 1892 and 1893 AS the Slast words fell
| from the presidents lips he pressed his finger
| upon the button
A Never-to-Be Forgotten Scene.
The demonstration when President Cleve'
| land pressed the key to start the machinery in
motion was one long to be remembered. Al
, that same instant the electric fountains in
| the lagoon began to play, the chimes
| in Manufactures hall and on the Ger
| man building sounded the news OF the
exposition opening and steam whistles
| footed all over the grounds. Overhead the
flags at the tops of the fagstafrs in front Of the
| platform unfolded and revealed two gilded
models Of the ships in which Columbus firsi
sailed 20 American shores, The stars and
| stripes and the tings of all other nations thai
| top the pixies on every building within view
| were unfurled. Salutes were fired from the
| Michigan and from the battleship Illinois, anG
| everything that could Innlse o racket to be
| heard joined in the great gloritlcauon. Nearly
700 men were employed to carry out this in
stantaneous display feature
over 100000 Persons Attend.
President Palmer of the national commits
sion telephoned TO New York Monday nigh
that the. total ,reeeipts for the opening
day OF the exposition, were SlIs, 900 50
He stated that S57 OoO people were admit
ted to the grounds and. paid admission. Tn,
number oi complimentRries would increase thi.
number TO more thar hiilf o.. million Tht
greatest number OF paid admissions for any on,
day at the Paris exposition was 3S7. 900 and a
the Philadelphia centennial 275,OOO