Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-10
APPROPRIATE CEREMONIES MARK OCCASION
Many Distinguished Visitors Present ohicagos Great
Day = Postmaster General Smith and Secretary
Gage Speak-Detas of the Mammoth Military,
Naval and Civic Parade-Prime Minister of
Canada and Mexican Minister Guests

Chicago, Oct. 9.-By Associated
Press. )--Surrounded by the men who
guide the diplomatic relations of three
governments, in the presence of many
thousands of spectators, President Nc
Kinley today formally laid the corner
stone OF the new federal building in
Chicago. The event was the crowning
feature of the weeks celebration,
marking the annual observance of the
great Chicago fire anniversary.
Long before the hour set for the GER
emonies the streets surrounding the
block on which the new building will
stand were packed from curb to curb
with pushing, jostling people anxious
to get a glimpse of the nations presi-
dent and the distinguished visitors
from other countries. Every window
in the gaily decorated slSyscrapers sur
rounding the building was occupied.
Even on the steel girders of the federal
building itself hundreds We're perched,
and the stands occupying all the avail
able adjacent space We're packed.
Shortly before 10 o'clock roar of
cheers from down jackson boulevard
announced the coming of Mckinley
and his party. With considerable diff
Guilty the cavalry and police forming
the presidents escort cleared space
for the carriages to pass. The applause
was terrific and a continuous hurricane
of cheers greeted the president as he
was escorted to the platform, at the
side of which the corner stone was sus-
pended ready for the ceremony.
Judge Christian C.. Kohlsaat. chair
man of the committee on ceremonies,
introduced Secretary of the Treasury
Lyman J. Gage as the presiding officer
for the corner stone exercises. The
secretary was warmly cheered as he
stepped forward.
Secretary Gage said in part: "The
long history of human society is best
known to us by the monuments
passing generations have left behind
them. These monuments, whether in
the form of temples or pyramids, re-
cord for us the stage of art and me-
chanical knowledge enjoyed by the
people by whom they We're builded.
The temple may be in ruins. The tribe
or people who worshipped therein may
have disappeared from written histo-
ries but their works remain as silent
yet eloquent witnesses of their ideals
and their aspirations.
"From the Orient, vaguely outlined
in the remote past to the occident, pal
pitating with the activities of present
civilization. the way is marked with
evidences that man is u monument
builder, that society, by an instinct al
ways existing. seeks to immortalize it.
self by embodying its best thoughts in
enduring form. In accord with this
inner law, written by the Creator in
the heart of man, we are here today to
lay the cornerstone of temple to 9TH
ers builded by the nation. It's design.
ed to serve the present needs of the
civic state; it will nevertheless witness
to the future the best conceptions OF
| the free people living in This western
land in the closing years of the nine
teenth century. The moment is full
of inspiring thoughts. The city we
love is to have q temple worthy of her
greatness. The nation we love is 10 fit.
tingly express here the best conception
of art made to serve utility"
| Secretary Gaoe then introduced Post
master General Charles Emory Smith
who was greeted with much applause
Postmaster General Smith said ir
part: This ceremonial, led by the
president of the republic, in the impos
ing presence of distinguished nationa
representatives and foreign dignitarie:
and this great multitude of citizens are
fifty associated with Chicago day. The
stately structure whose cornerstone i.
now laid symbolizes in large sens.
the dignity and power of the United
States. But in a direct and practica
sense, it represents the business lif,
and activity of Chicago. 1t is the ma
tons visible seal and stamp upon tn,
commercial rank and Importance o
this splendid city"
The speaker then rapidly sletchet
the marvellous material development O
the country for the past thirty years
and predicted its continuance. He ar
\ gued the necessity of commercial eN
pansion; the duty of spreading tn
principles of liberty wherever til,
| flag floats, and declared: sour inspir
ing past is u prophecy Of our gloriou
( future"