The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-25
Open to the World.
Gates of the international
and Cotton States Expo
sition Thrown Wide.

lmWSDSS Ct0WO Ot- t%OP'S, "'~
ed by the presence of the dignitaries
of the church and the representatives
of foreign countries, the Cotton
States aud international Exposition
was formally opened to the world
this afternoon. The parade was
brilliant one, lacking the tedious en-
cumbrance of a great miscellaneous
throng 1t was composed entirely
of military bodies and bands of music
headed by the United States Fifth
Infantry and the Washington Ar.
tiIlery,of.New Orleans, followed BY
several regiments of Georgia State
troops The parade moved promptly
from the starting point at the centre
-of@the city at the intersection OF
Broad and Marietta streets and was
about an hour in travers;ng the dis
tance OF three miles to the exposition
grounds, reaching there abont 3-5V
O'clock The exercises at the audi.
torium were imposing and impress
.siye. 1t was a gratifying surprise
that .he auditorium, though crowded,
was comparatively cool. and the
acoustic properties were almost per
feet. 20 that the speakers could be
distinctly heard IN all parts of the
building. President Collier received
a great ovation, when he arose to
speak. as. did Mrs Joseph Thomp-
son. president Of the woman's board.
THE HIT OF THE DAY.
The speeches were all good, aud
the oratiou by Judge Emory speer OF
the United States Court was a pro-
found utterance. The hit Of the day
was by Booker T. Washington, the
representative Of the negro race,
who, in twenty minutes speech,
evoked greater applause than all the
others put together Y He seemed to
have the ear of TIE audience, and
surprised both whites and biz ks
His speech is considered an aIeury
of the future friendship Of the races
The exposition is much nearer
completion than the public had sup
posed. From sensational reports
out, the impression had been con-
veyed that things were in a chaotlc
state, but the actual opening reveal
ed a series of displays nearer COM
pleteness than any ever shown by an
exposition at its opening The
government exhibit is complete and
is announced by persons who have
seen similar exhibits elsewhere to be
the finest ever gotten together by the
United States, because of its com.
prehensiveness and the great artectic
skill with which. the installation has
been made. The fish exhibit sur.
passes even the excellent one at Chi
cago and is continuous source of
delight to the great throngs of peo-
pie constantly passing through the
grotto All the government depart.
ments are strongly represented and
make superb showing.
The exhibit of fine arts is also en-
tirely completed. Every picture is
in it's place and the building is in
perfect order There is a msgnifi
cent display of sculpture, and the
exhibit of oil paintings is pronounc.
ed a collection OF masterpieces
There is not commonplace picture
in the whole lot NJ. Horace Brad
ley, chief Of the art department, is
being congratulated on bringing a
truly cosmopolitan exhibit of the
highest merit to Atlanta
The agricultural exhibit is practi-
cal|y complete and is an exceedingly
interesting ane attractive display
The exhibits in machinery hall, are
not all in place, but many are. Four
teen Of the seventeen engines began
to move when President Cleveland
touched the button. The minerals
and forestry display is complete and
makes one of the moet comprehen-
siye and beautiful exhibits of natural
resources ever gotten together
There is no rubbish in the building
and not pound of surplus material.
Every article is significant.
The exhibit of the Georgia manu-
facturers is somewhat behind, as are
also the exhibits in the electricity
But these will be in shape in few
days The exhibits in the manufac-
turing building and transportation
building are in good shape and very
near completion The European ex-
hibits occupying half of the big man.
nfacturers hall. are nearly all in place,
and by tomorrow night will all be
complete. Some of the Spanish.
American exhibits are completely in
stalled. Others are being put in
place and will be ready by the end of
the week. The Midway proves to oe