Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-19

like France and Germany, would have waited for the signal to loose the dogs of war No other condition would have been possible to the proud and resolute people of America. The blood-stained annals of our race prove this to be true. MilitariSm here, as on the continent of Europe, would have for years withdrawn the able-bodied population from the pur- suits of industry and the charms of home, and our young manhood, instead of pur- suing productive occupations, would have wasted the best years of their lives in military servitude. The sergeant and corporal would have been substituted for the professor and preacher. Destructive taxation would have reduced the people of this land of comfort and freedom to the level of the pauperism of Europe. Oh, my countrymen, we should be grate- full to God that He spared us the calam- ites I feebly picture. How unwisely l need not say, We marched down into the valley and shadow of death, but He who rules the destinies of nations was with us. His rod and His staff did comfort us, and He has restored our souls and is even now leading us through green pas lures and by the waters of comfort. And here and now, not before our enemies, for thank God we have none, but before the people of the habitable globe, He spreads the table that all may come and see and know the bounties and benefac- tons He has showered on this favored people. And shall we not be worthy of His loving kindness, His care for our past and His provision for oer future? Yea, we shall say with the psalmiSt Of old, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in.the house of the Lord forever
 Judge Speer was followed by Hon. Por- ter King, mayor of the city of Atlanta. In his address of welcome Mayor King acquitted himself in handsome style, and was interrupted by the boom of the pres idential salute, which began at $40, just as President Cleveland touched the but ton at Gray Gables.
 President Cleveland's Part.
 A great crowd gathered in the ma chinery hall before the close of the eXer- cises in the auditorium, waiting to see the magic influence of the touch that would come over the wires for thousand miles to set the machinery in motion The Dig Prick engine was in readiness and row of batteries rested near the engineer. Just at 5:54 the president touched the button the whistle sounded. the engine moved off at a lively gait and all the ma chinery followed suit. The great crowd sent up a shout that shook the root At most simultaneously hundreds or arc lights flashed out on the plaza ana my riads of incandescent lights gleameo alla d scintnlated fom the cornices ana domes of the woman's building and the government 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 boom Of the presidential salute emphasized the form- al opening of the exposition.
 The transportation facilities proved equal to the occasion and there was no confusion. With double tracks on the Southern railroad to Atlanta ana SIX lines of street railways the crowd sur, fered no inconvenience. The terminal facilities were fully adequate ana there was every facility for ingress ana esress at the grounds
 Tomorrow will be Georglas editors day at the exposition. President Caol- ness has called them to meet at noon at inc Hotel Oriental. From there they Will be taken in a body over the southern railroad to the exposition grounds' where they will be received at the audi torium and welcomed by President COT Her MT. Cabiness will respond 10 the welcome address. and then the editors will see the sights of the Midway ana disperse through the grounds. They VIII he given a reception in the afternoon a. tbe woman's building by the ladies or inc womanS board.