The times., 1897-05-02
Centennial Exposition Opened
at Nashville.
PRELIMINARY CEREMONIES
The Fair Marks the One Hundreth
Anniversary of the Admission of
the State Into the Union-It Rer-
resents an Expenditure of ST.
100000.

astio Southerners, with a fair sprinkiing
OF visitors from other sections Of the
country.
Former Vice President Stevenson, GOV.
Taylor, of Tennessee; Gov. Stevens, of
Missouri; Gen. Garfia, of Mexico, and the
members of the legislature, with their
families, occupy conspicuous places DUR
ing the formal ceremony OF opening the
: exposition. The machinery was started by
President Mckinley, who touched but
ton in Washington, and set the mechanical
exhibits in motion by electric current.
The day was fair, but hardly al pleasant
as the promoters OF the great show had
hoped for
The opening OF the exposition marks the
one-hundredth year OF the admission OF
the State into the Union. The inaugural
ceremonies, year ago, were attended
by a military pageant, but the formal
opening today was marked by the alb
sence of the citizen soldiery in uniform
The members OF both houses OF the iegis-
lature and their wives assembled at the
Union street depot of the Nashville, Chat
tanooga and st. Louis Railroad at 8 o clock,
and were conveyed in special trains TO the
terinina, station al the west side OF the
Exposition Park.
The place of rendezvous was the al
nlinistration Building, whence the officials,
the legislators, and distinguished guests,
including Gov Robert l. Taylor, Gen.
! Ignacio Garfia, postmaster general OF the
republic of Mexico, and suite, escorted by
vast concomse Of citizens, proceeded to
the Auditorium, which, liz few moments,
was crowded while perfect multitude
..-s.. kan
monies were opened with prayer 10y Right
Rev. Thomas T. Gailor, coadjutor bishop
of Tennessee.
After the singing of America, y Major ].
W. Thomas, president of the Exposition
Company, made an address reviewing me
work done He said:
"On June / 1896, these grounds and
the buildings erected thereon were dedi-
Gated to the honor and glory OF Tennessee,
IN commemoration OF an event which
trapspired on June 1 1896, and as tribute
to the men and women who endured the
hardships and braved the dangers OF
frontier life III The wilderness west of the
Alleghanies, that they might found this
great Commonwealth.
They loved the banner OF our country,
with its little cluster of fifteen stars; and
the lapse of 10o years has not impaired
the honor, integrity or patriotism OF the
people OF Tennessee, for we love the same
banner. with its glorious constellation of
forty-fiye stars, representing forty-five SOW
ereign States, which together constitute
the greatest ma tion in the world.
1.-THE objects OF this centennial exposi-
ton are TO commemorate the past, present
the advantages of the present, and inspire
hope for the future-the past, the present,
the future of Tennessee-objects 50 lauda-
bic that the enterprise has received the
approval OF the United States, Congress
having appropriated S130,000 that the
general Government might be properly rep
resented by grand object lesson, showing
the progress of the nation during the past
120 years. 1t has also been approved by
the authorities of the State Of Tennessee,
thelegislature having appropriated $4,000
In order that the history, the products. and
the resources of the State might be prop
erly presented. The county of Davidson
and the city of Nashville, realizing the
honor and advantage of having this grand
centennial jubilee within their borders,
have donated $l5O,000, and other cities,
counties, and States, corporations, firms
and 10000 individuals have augmented
these appropriations and donations until
q grand total of S1,000,000 has been
expended in preparing for this exposition
'While this celebration is prompted by a
reverence for the past, it is also prompted
by desire to so advertise and proclaim our
advantages that thousands from other
States and other nations viii come to see
what we have accomplished and realize
the marvellous wealth of our undevelopeG
resources"
Loudand continuous cheering followed the
conclusion OF President Thomas remarks,
and the band struck up THE Star Spangled
Banner"
Thenext address was by Hon. Robert L.
Taylor, governor of Tennessee AS he All
vanced tow ard the front of the platform the
crowd arose as one man, and it was
several minutes before his excellency could
proceed with his address. he said, in
part:
..Ifour fathers, who died hundred years
ago, could come back from the tongueless
silence of the dreamless dust, and see The
miracles that have been wrought; If they
could see their children talking across
oceans, and sweeping across continents In
palace cars swifter than the swiftest wing
ifthey could see the modern reapers sweep
fng like phantom ships through seas Of sun
song, and if they could catch glimpses OF
the myriads of cities and towns and country
homes, which are the habitation of seventy
millions of people; If they could look upon
this beautiful White Centennial City, rising
Ike q seraph here in the heard of Tennessee
under whose wings the nations of the earth
are gathering TO Join us in this glorious
jubilee, doubt not that they would shout
fer joy, and sing with US, Praise God, from
Whom All Blessings Flow"
At the conc clusion of the address the bani
struck M Dixie" and the applause was
tumuituous.
When order was restored, or, rather
when quiet once more reigned, Major E. G
Lewis, the director general of the asso
citation, under whose skilled guidance ths
project materialzed stepped forward Hi
address, was brief and very characteristic
Whatever credit may belong to other
for work done in connection with the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition, no On,
will contest the director generals claim
/. TO the chief part. Turning to President
Thomas, he said:
.'Twenty-one months ago you did Ms
the honor TO place in my hands the physi
Centennial of Tennessee scheme fo
the great work was presented to ant
adopted by you and your executive commit
tee Immediately the site was selected
and the work begun.
Eighteen parts, consisting of the depart
xnonts of art aerfculttlre commerce, chill