The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-24
TIE ATLANTA
FAIR OPENS.
CLEVELAND PRESSED THE BUT
TON. A GREAT PARADE.
The International and Cotton States
Exposition is Now In Full Blast.

With the auspiclous accompaniment Of nil
Itary pomp and civic dignity, leading an i'm
mense crowd Of people, and honorsd by th.
presence of the dignitaries OF the Church ane
representatives Of foreign countries. the Cot
ten States and International Exposition wa!
f:rnally opened to the world on wednesday
afternoon.
The parade was a brilliant one, lacking
the tedious encumbrance Of great niscella-
neous throng. 1t was composed entirely o.
military bodies and bands OF music, headed
by the United States Fifth Infantry and the
Washington Artillery, Of New Orleans, enc
followed by several regiments OF Georgia
l. State troops.
The parade moved promptly from the
starting point at tho center OF the city, al
the intersection Of Broad and Marietta
streets. and was about an hour in traversine
the distance of three miles to the exposition
grounds, reaching there about $50 o'clock
The exercises at the auditorium were i'm
posing and impressive. 1t was gratifying
surprise that the auditorium. though crowd.
ed, was comparatively cool and the acoustic
pIOpcIIles "clS dlIIOSI pellect, 80 LudG Gue
speakers could be distinctly heard in all
ceived great ovation when he arose to
speak. us did Mrs. Joseph Thompson, prest-
dent OF the Women's Board.
The speeches were all good, and the ora
ton by Judge Emory Speer, of the United
States Court. was profound utterance.
The hit Of the daywas by Booker T. Wash
ington, the representative Of the negro race,
who, in 20 minute speech. evoked greater
applause than all the others put together.
He seemed to have the ear. Of the audience,
and pleased both whites and blacks.
Some ultra conservative people who have
doubted the propriety Of inviting a negro to
take 4 prominent part in the programme
were enthusiastic in their praise Of his speech,
and it is generally conceded that its effect
will he happy one.
The exposition is much nearer completion
than the public had supposed. The actual
opening revealed a series of displays nearer
completeness than any ever shown by an ex-
position at its opening.
THE PRESSING OF TIE BUTTON.
A great crowd Of people gathered in the
Machinery Hall before the close OF the ex-
ercises in the auditorium, waiting to see the
majestic influence Of the touch that would
come over the wires for a thousand miles to
set the machinery in motion. The big Frick
engine was in readiness, and a row of bat
terins rested near the engine. Just at 5:54:20
&c President touched tho button, the
ssA Aistie sounded. the engine moved off at q
ffTa!y gait and al the machinery followed
s",; :'he great crowd sent up shout that
shook he roof. Almost simultaneously hun
dred, of are lights flashed out on the plaza,
,,J ,,,,,rio,Jc or iinhts ole od
and scintiIlated from the cornices and domes
OF the Woman's Building and the Govern
ment Building. 1t was just dusk. and in the
gathering darkness the shouts Of the crowds.
the flash OF the lights and the noise of the
bombs of the Presidential salute emphasized
the formal opening of the exposition.
The transportation facilities proved equal
to The occasion and there was no confusion.
With double tracks on the Southern Railway
to Atlanta and lines OF street railways the
crowds suffered no inconvenience. The ter
minal facilities were fully adequate. and
there was every facility for ingreSs and
eSress at the grounds.
At Buzzard S Bay the President received
the following telegram before o'clock from
Ex-Governor Bullock, chairman on the com
mittee OF arrangements:
The committee On ceremonies are in
and hv the board of directors to express tt
the President their high appreciation and
thanks for the great interest the President
has shown. both in this and on other occa-
sions. and in behalf of the success Of the eX-
position. Under the guidance Of the hand
Of President Cleveland, one Of the most i'm
portant commercial and industrial events
ever attempted in our section has now start
ed on its career for the upbuilding Of oul
material interests by closer commercial re-
lations with all portions Of our country ant
with sister republics South Of the United
States. The mingliDg of people from al
sections, made possible by the President!
approval and aid to our efforts. will rendel
future ill-will between the sections imposst
ble.'
At the request OF the committee, th'
President was asked to send his message be
fore the button was pressed in order that l
might be read to the vast assemblage. Mr
Cleveland kindly consented and wired tn
following at about $50 o'clock:
"To the President and Board OF Director
Of the Cotton States and International Expo
sition, Atlanta, Ga: Fully appreciating tn
value and importance Of the exposition in
eugurated to-day, am especially gratlfet
to be related to its inception and progress
and to participate in its opening ceremonies
I Isincerely congratulate those hose enter
prise and energy have accomplished suel
splendid results, and heartily wish that th
exposition they have set on foot will be com
pletely successful in consummating all IN
ssGRoT1a CLSIE1AND."