The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-21
TIE ATLANTA
FAIR OPENS.
CLEVELAND PRESSED THE BUT
TON. 4 GREAT PARADE.
The International and Cotton States
Exposition Is Now in Full Blast.

With the auzptcious accompaniment of mil
itary pomp and civic dignity, leading an i'm
mense crowd Of people, and honoced by II.
presence Of the dignitaries Of the Church and
representatives Of foreign countries. the Cot
ton States and international Exposition vas
formally opened to the world on Wednesday
afternoon.
The parade was brilliant one. lacking
the tedious encumbrance OF a great miscella-
neous throng. 1t was composed entirely Of
military bodies and bands OF music. headed
by the United States Fifth Infantry and the
Washington Artillery, Of New Orleans, and
followed by several regiments of Georgia
State troops.
The parade moved promptly from tho
starting point at the center of the city, at
the intersection CT Broad and Marietta
streets. and was about an hour III traversing
the distance Of three miles 70 the exposition
grounds, reaching there about $50 o'clock.
The exercises at the auditorium were i'm
posing and impressive. 1t was gratifying
surprise tha: the auditorium. though crowd
ed. was comparatively cool and the acoustic
~
Speakers could he distinctly heard in all
parts Of the building. President Collier re-
ceived great ovation when he arose to
speak. as did Mrs. Joseph Thompson. presi-
dent Of the Women Board.
The speeches were all good. and the ora
ton by Judge Emory Speer. OF the United
States Court. was a profound utterance.
Ths bit Of the day was by Booker T. Wa:h-
ingtoa. the representative % the negro ruce,
who, in 20 minute speech. tv1ked 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 rropriety Of inviting a negro to
take e prominent part in the programme
were enthusiastic in their praise Of his speech,
and it Is generally conceded that its effect
will he a happy one.
The exposition is much nearer completion
than the public had supposed. The actual
opening revealed series Of displays nearer
completeness than any ever shown By an e3-
position at It's opening.
The PRESSING OF The BUTTON.
4 great crowd of people gathered in the
Machinery Hall before the close Of the eN-
ercises IN the auditorium. waiting to see the
majestic influence Of the touch that would
come over the wires for thousand miles 10
set the machinery in motion. The big Frick
engine was II readiness. and a row of bat
teries rested near the engine. Just at 5:542G
the President touched the button. the
whistle sounded. the engine moved off at 4
lively gait and all the machinery followed
suit. The great crowd sent up shout that
shook the roof. Almost simultaneously hun
dreds Of arc lights flashed out on the plaza.
and myriads Of incandescent lights gleamed
and scintillated from the corniceS and domes
OF the Woman's Building and the Govern
ment Building. It vas Just dusk and in the
gathering darkness tie shouts Of the crowds,
the flash Of the lights and the noise Of the
bombs of the Pres dental salute emphasized
the formal opening ~ che 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 oi 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' $ Bay the President received
the following telegram before o'clock from
Ex-Governor Bullock, chairman on the COM
nittee Of arrangements:
The committee on ceremonies are in
structed by the President and director for
and by the board Of directors to express to
tuC lcSlOSAt lLVIl uISl opDArEiotlpI NoN
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 uphuilding Of Our
material interests by closer commercial re.
lations with all portions Of our country and
with sister republics South Of the United
States. The ningling Of people from all
sections, made possible by the Presidents
approval and aid to our efforts. will render
future ill-will between the sections impossi-
BILE
At the request Of the committee, the
President was asked to send his message be-
fore the button was pressed in order that il
might be read to the vast assemblage. Mr..
Cleveland kindly consented asd wired the
following at about $50 o'clock:
ITO the President and Board Of Directors
Of the Cotton Stats and international Expo
sition. Atlanta. Ga: Fully approaching the
value and importance IF the exposition in
augurated to-day. am especially gratlfed
to he related to its inception and pre- 'ess
and to participate in its opening ceremonies.
sincerely congratulate those whose enter
prise and energy have accomplished such
splendid results, and heartily wish that the
exposition they have set on f. t will be com
pletely successful in consummating all the
good results contemplated by its promoters.
"GRoyER CLEVELAND"