The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-02

the dominion of savage Indian and wild
beast yielding to the brain and proWess of
the Anglo-Saxon race until forly-lour stars
on our national flag symbolic the Irength
ana power and unity of the greatest repuD-
lie this world has ever known.
Il see the achievements OF a thousand
years crowded into a single century. / see
American genius walking in the gardens OF
the intellectual gods, gathering sweets Tor
the soul from a thousand unWitnerlnS now
ers, catching music from the spheres and
beauty from ten thousand fields OF hght-
IF our fathers, who died a hundred years
ago. could come back from the tonguelesS
silence of the dreamless dust and see the
miracles that have been wrought, II they
could see their children talking across
oceans. and sweeping across continents in
palace cars swifter than the swiftest wing;
II they could see the modern reapers sweep
ing like phantom ships through seas of sun
set gold, and hear the music OF the harvest
song, and If they could catch glimpses of
the myriads of cities and towns ana coun-
try homes, which are the habitation OF sew
enty millions of people, if they could look
upon this beautiful white centennial city,
rising like a seraph here in the heart of
Tennessee, under whose wings the nations
OF the earth are gathering to Join US in this
glorious jubilee, l doubt not that they
would shout for joy, and sing with us,
Praise God from whom all blessings
OPENING OF THE SHOW.
At the confusion of the address the band
struck up Dixie" and then the earth
seemed to shake with the thunders of APP
plause. When quiet once more reigned,
Maj, b. c. Lewis, the director general of
the association, under whose guidance the
marvellous project materialized, stepped
forward. His address was brief, and at its
conclusion he presented the keys to Presi-
dent Thomas. Chief Justice Snodgrass, J.
w. Thompson, speaker of the State Sen
ate, and Morgan Fitzpatrick, speaker Of the
House of Representatives, also delivered
addresses.
After the addresses President Thomas die
tated on the stage the following message
to President Mckinley: The people of Ten
nessee send greeting and request that you
now put in motion the machinery of the
Tennessee centennial exposition" In a few
minutes the roar of artillery was heard
echoing and re-echoing through the build
ings and over the grounds. President Nc
Kfnley had pressed the button, the EXPOSE
ton was opened. The machinery started at
l2:14 o'clock.
The exercises in the auditorium ended
and the people gathered around the inn
mense fountain representing electricity,
built by Moretti, to witness the ceremony
of it's presentation to and acceptance by
Mrs. v. l.. Kirkman president of the
Woman's board. Governor Taylor intro
duced Mrs. Kirkman in a brief. but happy
speech Mrs; kirkman briefly accepting the
honor, touched the button and the waters
gushed forth. A luncheon was then served
TO the members OF the Woman's board and
guests and a reception followed. During the
afternoon one of the most charming build
ings, the children's, was formally opened
with kindergarten exercises and this build
ing was one of the chief centers of attrac-
ton during the afternoon. Among the dis
tinguiShed visitors on the auditorium stage
weres eX-Vice President Adlai +. Steven
son. of Illinois, and Governor Stephens, of
Missouri.
Open air concerts and music in the Audi
forum attracted the growing crowds and
as the afternoon heightened the attend
ance increased until after A O'Clock, when
the tide set cityward. The agricultural
building had caught the fancy of the Wis
ttors. It's decorations, artistic, yet peculiar
ly unique, drew well and the building was
filled all day. The mineral and forestry
building, with exhibits nearly complete,
was much frequented. The government
building was not in good shape for view
ing and the commerce, transportation and
machinery buildings were thronged. The
railway terminal station, containing the ex-
hibit of several roads. was a center of at
traction. Only a portion of the Parthenon,
the art gallery, was open, the pictures not
being hung in tWo-thirds of the building.
But the pictures on the wall were viewed
by thousands. 1t was not an exhibit exam
lining crowd. the people had not come to
go from building to building as a duty to
be performed. They had come to view the
exposition as an entirety.
Tonight concerts by the band, extensive
fireworks and complete illumination of
grounds and buildings by electric lights
drew thousands in addition to those who
waited on the grounds for the night pro-
day and night attendance at 80. 900. Perfect
order nrQXraila1