Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-02
EXERCISES At THE AUDITORIUM.
Formal Opening of the Big show
with Music and Speeches.

While the crowd that was on the grounds
when the parade arrived did not approxi-
mate the crush that swarmed through the
buildings and enfiladed the main court year
ago, there were enough people to give the
re-created white city an animated appear
ance. The benches in the main court were
occupied by hundreds of happy couples who
had come to make day of it and the Audito-
rum was partially filled before the paraders
filed in and occupied the remaining seats.
The changes that have been made in the in
terror arrangement of the building effected a
marked improvement and the decorations of
bunting and tropical plants were simple but
effective.
The parade arrived just before l o'clock
and Godfreys British Guards band played a
professional march written for the occasion
by Mr. Willmers while the official party was
distributing itself among the reserved seats.
This was followed by a short program, in
which several of the soloists were given an
opportunity to win the pronounced approval
of the crowd. The rendition of Columbia"
introduced the exercises of the day and it
was followed by an earnest and appropriate
prayer by Rev. George Coombs OF Kansas
City.
The stirring melody of the "Star Spangled
Banner evoked a burst of enthusiasm that
continued when President George L. Miller
rose to make the opening address. In the
name of the people of Omaha and on behalf
OF the exposition management he extended
cordial welcome to every visitor inside the
gates of the White City. In this he ad-
dressed with especial emphasis the Nebraska
volunteers who sat directly before him.
ExpositiOns Are Educators.
Speaking of the exposition, he declared
that 1t has come to be admitted that great
expostions are the educators of the people,
They educate on a broader scale than any
other agency. They implant 1--we for the
beautiful as well as an appreciation OF the
practical. While it has been said that some
of them are inspired by the hope of gain,
he declared that had it not been for the
love of gain no cable would stretch under
the Atlantic ocean today and no railroad
would span this continent.
Continuing, DR.. Miller declared that II is
the purpose Of the management to keep this
exposition on higher plane than its prede-
cessors ever reached. Nothing will be per-
mitted either on the Midway or elsewhere
that would offend the modesty of any mans
wife or daughter.
The colonial phases of the show were
briefly emphasized. DR.. Miller declared that
the characteristics of our new possessions
can be more intelligently understood in
these grounds than even by trip to the
islands themselves. Here the children as
we'll as their elders, can learn much that
could never be acquired in school and at
the same time enjoy a recreation that will
be at once healthful and enjoyable. In con
! clusion President Miller explained that a
long process of red tape had delayed some
of the colonial features. but they are on the
way and will amply satisfy the most ex-
travagant expectations
Senator Hayward's Address.
Another selection by the band preceded
an address by Senator NJ. L. Hayward, who
| excused himself from making a more elabo-
rate speech on the ground that he was ia
tigued after week of continuous travelling
He eulogized Nebraska as the best place on
earth for man to make a living in and
ccmplimented Omaha on the magnificent en-
terprise that has been twice carried to com
pletion. In this connection he quoted a re-
mark made by President Mckinley a few
days ago in conversation in which he de-
clared that the Transmississipp Exposition
was the greatest achievement he had ever
witnessed.
There had been some criticism. continued
Senator Hayward because Omaha had gone
on with the show this year. For himself he
is for the exposition because he is for Ne
braska. No matter whether it was wisely
conceived or not it is our exposition and we
should make it a success.
Before introducing the next speaker Presi
dent Miller expressed the hearty thanks of
the executive committee, the directory and
himself for the able assistance that had
been received from Senator Hayward in
building up the exposition.
The final address was daliyared hv
eral Henderson, who also abbreviated his
remarks in Difference to the extreme heat
| in the building and the dinner hour that
had passed two hours before. He called at
| tention to the fact that the exposition marks
an era OF momentous significance. Looking
backward We can point 10 but few years
| that are really worthy of remembrance on
account OF the great events they brought
with them. He then referred briefly to the
! succession of events that has made these
last two years forever memorable in Ameri-
can history He traced the incidents that
! led to the acquisition OF new empire from
the proclamation of war and Deweys vic
| tory TO the valiant charges OF Nebraska
troops across the rice fields in Luzon. This
exposition is the expression of what these
| years have accomplished and hence comes
before the people with a deeper
and greater significance than any previous
! similar enterprise. In conclusion he referred
! eloquently to the magnificent surroundings
| in which the colonial spectacle is housed and
! bespoke a success scarcely less notable than
that which crowned the enterprise OF 1898.
The band played America" as a conclud
| ing selection and those OF the audience who
! had not already gone in search OF a long de-
| layed lun,h rose and sang the melody, Pres
| ident Miller declared the Greater America
Exposition formally opened
Concert Draws "A Good Crowd.
The first evening concert of the expo
stion entertained a crowd that fairly filled
! the Plaza Notwithstanding an unfortunate
| blunder on the part OF he seat concession
| ist that caused several hundred auditors
to leave in disgust When the concert be-
| gan the reserved seat tickets had not been