The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-09
CHICAGO DAY.
Anniversary of the Great Fire
Is Celebrated
By Laying the Cornerstone Of
New Federal Building.
PLACED BY M'KINLEY
In Presence of Diplomatic Rep
resentatiTes of Canada,
MexicO and Uuited States and
Thousands of People.

Chicago, oct. 9.-surrounded by men
who guide the diplomatic relations of
three governments and in the presence
of thousands of spectators, President
VIM. Mckinley today formally laid
the corner stone of the magnificent new
federal building of Chicago. The event
was the crowning feature of the week $
celebration marking the annual obser-
vance of Chicago day.
Long before the hour set for the
ceremonies the streets surrounding the
block on which the steel skeleton of the
new building stands were packed from
curb to curb with pushing, jostling peo-
pie anxious to get a glimpse of the ma
tion's president and the distinguished
visitors from other countries while ev-
cry window in the gaily decorated sky
scrapers surrounding the federal build
ing was taken advantage of. Even on
the steel girders of the federal building
itself were perched hundreds of ven
turesOme curiosity seekers. In the an
gle formed by the south and west wing
of the federal building at Jackson street
Boulevard and Dearborn streets, and in
front of the Union League club build
ing, reviewing stands had been erected
for the accommodation of the distin-
guished visitors including Vice Presi-
dent MariscaI and party of Mexico,
Premier Laurier of Canada and other
notabIes of that country, members OF
President McKinley's cabinet and the
diplomatic corps at Washington, sena-
tors and congressman and other invited
guests and when President Mckinley
threw the first trowelful of mortar un-
der the uplifted block of limestone and
pronounced the cornerstone set, one of
the most notable gatherings ever in
Chicago moved on.
ROAR OF CHEERS
Shortly before 10 o'clock a roar of
cheers from down jackson Doulevard
announced the coming of President
Mckinley and his party. 1t was with
considerable difficulty that the troops
of cavalry and the police forming the
presidents escort could clear space
wide enough for the carriages contain
ing the president and members of his
cabinet and other guests, to pass, ana
as the carriages slowly made their way
up the boulevard. toward the federal
building the applause became terrlnc
and continuous. The president ire
quently arose and dOffed his hat in re-
spOnse. At the entrance of the Union
League club the president and the
members of his party alighted and after
a brief reception were escorted across
Jackson boulevard to the platform IN
front of the federal building. per
feet hurricane of cheers greeted the
president. as he was escorted to the
dais at the side of which the corner
stone was suspended ready for the cere-
mony The president warmly greeted
the officials and then turned and bowed
to the group of brawny armed wOrkmen
who were to complete the laying of the
corner stone
Judge Christian c. Kohlsaat. chair
man of the committee on ceremonies,
introduced Secretary of the Treasury
Lyman J. Gage, as presiding officer for
ha SeCre-
tary was warmly cheered as he stepped
forward.
SECRETARY CAGES ADDRESS.
Secretary Gage said in part:
THE long history of human society is
best known to us by the monuments
which passing generations have left be-
hind them. These monuments, whether
in form of temple or pyramid, record for
us the stage of art and mechanical
knowledge enjoyed by the people by
whom they were builded. The temple
may now be a ruin. The tribe or people
who WOrShipped therein may have dis
appeared from written history, but their
works still preserved remain as silent
yet eloquent witnesses of their ideals
and their aspirations. From the orient
vaguely outlined in the remote past to
the occident palpitating with the ac-
tivities of a present civilization the way
is marked with the evidences that man
is a monument builder that society by
an instinct always existing seeks to
immortalize itself by embodying its
best thoughts in some enduring form
Each age, each social organism has act
ed after its own ideals and in strict con-
formity to its own stage of advance
ment.
1T is in accord with this inner law.
written by the Creator in the heart of
man that we are here today-jOined as
one-to lay the corner stone of the
temple to be here builded by the nation.
Designed to serve the present needs of
a civic state, it will nevertheless wit
ness to the future the best conceptions
of free people living in this western
land in the closing years of the nine
teenth century. The moment is full of
inspiring thoughts, Eloquent words
waited for the orator to utter them. If
such words could be mine. it would not
be my privilege to speak them. Re
strained by official duty I can not even
voice my own opinions, excited as they
are by the remembrance that for more
than forty years this spot, to be honor
ed by the genius of the architect and
the skill of the artisan, has been as
familiar to me as has been my daily
life. The city we love is to have a tenn
pie worthy of her greatness. The ma
ton we love is to fittingly express on
this spot her best conception of art
made to serve utility. Representatives
of other nations are here to do US honor
and to share with US in our joy and
pride. The honOred chief executive of
our own republic is here to put the
trowels first touch to the noble edifice
Il have said that art is here to be
made the servant to utility In this
great building the public business of
the people is to be transacted. The fed
eral courts, the agency of the revenues.
and last but not least the great postal
department is here to efficiently admin
lister its important function" !"
At the conclusion of Secretary Cages
brief address, Rev. Frank w Gunsau-
lus offered brief but impressive