The Washington herald., 1914-04-04

Fifty years ago today. the Great
Metropolitan Fair for the benefit of the
United States Sanitary Commissin, the
largest OF many fairs hello to raise money
for the Federal soldiers. was opened In 4
group of buildings at Fourteenth street
and Sixth and Seventh avenues, New
York City. The net returns OF this phil
nHthropic enterprise amounted to 81.
Is4, fs7.12
This sum was the largest return from
any single fair held In the period OF the
war-and the leading cities of the North
strove to outdo each other in these
charitable undertakings.
The New York fair was first designed
to be contained In a building called
THE Palace Garden at the corner OF
Sixth avenue and Fourteenth street: but
The managers were compelled TO use sev-
eral adjoining buildings, as well as 70
erect a temporary structure over the
sidewalks.
On the north side OF Union square a
detached auxiliary building 800 feet by
poses, while a building on Fifteenth street
was leased for an exhibition OF domestic
animals and pet stock.
The various structures. old and new.
afforded an exhibition space Of Fo.OO0
square feet. Their rare and costly con-
tents" their 'chaste and beautiful dec
orations." their manifold exhibits and
the details Of entertainment and Of man.
agement in this patriotic show furnished
material for many columns in the daily
and pictorial papers of the metropolis.
The fair. described as the greatest
and noblest charity ever projected it,
New York City" continued three weeks.
From the opening exercises. on April 4,
until the closing day. on April =, there
was a constant stream OF patriotic visi-
tors.
The opening was signaIized by a mil
itary procession. which embraced de-
tachments from eleven regular army
regiments. together with fifteen entire
regiments Of the New York state Militia,
an aggregate of 100 men
Chorus sings Hymns.
The opening exercises included music.
prayer. and Oratory. The chief dignitaTics
of the city government and leading meT-
chants. clcrgymen. lawyers and military
men. occupied places on a large platform.
A military band played patriotic airs,
When Gen. John \. DiK-known since
the beginning Of the war for his III
any ono attempts to haul down the
American flag. shoot him on the spot
was present in his official capacity OF
commander Of the military district OF
the East. with headquarters at New
York. A band played Hail to tho Chief.
when Gen. Dix and his stan arrived.
There was an opening prayer by a
leading clergyman, after which Gen. Dix
made an address, and read a letter from
Rev. DIR. Henry w. Bellows. president
of the Sanitary Commission. who had
sailed that day for California.
Tho chief address Of the evening was
by James II. Choate. OF New York. who
paid tribute to the unseIhsh devotion ot
the women who had done much toward
organizing the fair.
After the prayer an army hymn" was
sung by a large chorus. accompanied
by the band. The evenings exercises
| closed With the singing OF Praise God
| from Whom All Blessings Flow
! On the opening night the buildings were
| not entirely ready for the various at
| fractions. The auxiliary building in Unior
square was not opened until three night.
later. This contained music hall. where
| concerts were given. as we'll as exhibits
| OF musical Instruments and articles tC
| interest children.
Money-makinG Devices.
The fair was arranged on principle,
| still followed, with modern variations.
In the main building were many table.
and booths at which articles were dis,
played for sale These were named foI