Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1893 — OPENED TO THE WORLD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OPENED TO THE WORLD

THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION IS A REALITY. President Cleveland Touches the Electric Button that Sets the Monstrous Engines Going—Simple but Impressive Ceremonies at the Formal Opening. Gates Now Alar. The Columbian Exposition is a reality. President Clevelahd ha 3 touched the button, the world had already done the rest. This greatest of all great fairs Is now open to the public in all its splendor and international magnificence. Gorgeous in her festal decorations, radiant with the life and spirit of her people and the myriad hosts of visitors from many lands, Chicago has gracefully celebrated this crowning event of her marvelous history, and in fitting manner received her distinguished guests who graced that notable occasion. The language of the order of exercises conveys no thought of the picturesque grandeur that made the day a notable one in the world’s history—a day upon which the nations of earth assembled together in a city, itself one of the wonders of the century, and jointly took account of stock to discover how well have been Improved the opportunities of the ages and what have been the moral and material achievements of civilization. But in the quickening

activity of the people and their evident delight as the day approached, in the settled purpose of evfcry citizen of Chicago to make the occasion one Of appropriate significance and personal pride, was contained the promise of a day as unprecedented in its interest and pleasure as it will be in its influence upon the future development of the world. Beginning with Friday great events followed each other in rapid succession. It was eminently fitting that the arrival of the old liberty bell, that in truth “rang out the old, rang in the new,” when the Union was born, should be first, to receive the honors of the time. Friday evening arrived the relic of that

day when was trumpeted to the world the declaration of American liberty which so startled the monarchs of the earth. Saturday morning at 11 o’clock the Duke of Veregua, a lineal descendant of Christopher Columbus, together with his party, reached the Union depot and were escorted to the Auditorium hotel by a troop of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and a regiment of Infantry. The battery of artillery then moved to the lake front and fired a salute in honor of the duke. President Cleveland and members of the Cabinet and their ladies arrived at the same depot an hour later, and the same body of troops that had escorted the duke met and escorted the President’s party to the Lexington. Formal reception of President Cleveland to the State, the city, and the World’s Fair was extended before the arrival at the depot by Governor Altgeld, Mayor Harrison and Director General Davis, who met the Presidential train at the State line and accompanied them to the city, To Jackson Park. Monday morning bright and early the movement toward Jackson Park began. Carriages were ordered for the ducal party at the Auditorium at 8 o’dock. As early as 8:30, accompanied by the

citizens’ committee representing the State Department and a proper military escort, the ducal party moved south on Michigan boulevard. At the Lexington the ducal party joined the Presidential party, and the procession, composed of regiments of troops, the Chicago Hussars, distinguished guests in carriages.

members of the national commission and the local board, and a host of citizens and visitors, moved toward Jackson Park. The formal opening exercises took place on a platform erected in front of the Administration Building, where nearly 100,000 people could witness the proceedings, even if they couldn’t hear the speeches. The place of holding these exercises was determined upon after long contention between two factions of the local directors.. one of which desired to have the ceremonies held in the small hall in the presepcO of about 2,000 invited guests. The Board of Control suddenly concluded, however, that it had something to say concerning the opening programme, and President Palmer,,Director General Davis and , Secretary Dickinson, by a few strokes of the pen, upset the plans of the Exposition Ceremonies Committee. At the east front of the Administration Building and in the shadow of its gilded dome, a great platform was accordingly erected. The large or main platform had seating capacity for nearly 2,010 persons. In front of them was a smaller platform for President Cleveland, the Duke of Veragua and suite, the President’s Cabinet, foreign commissioners and other guests of honor, numbering about sixty in all. To the right and left of the President’s stand were seats .for about 250 members of ■the press, and back of all was the or-, chestra. Among the distinguished guests were members of the Diplomatic Corps, Judges of the Supreme Court, members of Congress, Governors of States, National Commissioners,World’s Fair Directors, members of tho Board of Lady Managers, members of the Illinois Legislature, Chicago City Council, members of the Board of Education, Park Commissioners and a select list of dignitaries, social, collegiate and official. The Opening Exercise*. When all had been seated the orches-

tra opened the exercises by rendering the “Columbian March.” Prayer was then offered by the Rev. W. H. Milburn, chaplain of the United States Senate. Miss Jessie Couthoui followed by reading a poem, “The Prophecy,” written by W. A. Croffut, of Washington. . After an orchestral overture Director-General Davis arose to make a brief address. He said the exhibition is not the conception of any single mind; it is not the result of any single effort; but is the grandest conception of all the minds and the best obtainable result of all the efforts put forth by all the people who have in any manner contributed to its creation. In this connection he praised the work of his colaborers and of the various chiefs of departments. Referring to the expenditure entailed by the various governments he said the government had appropriated about $5,000,100, the various States a sum in excess of $6,000,000, and the foreign nations another $6,000,000. Chicago and its citizens besides contributing $11,000,000 furnished a loan of $5,000,000 more. The total expenditures on account of the Fair exceed $100,000,000. Ho expressed his obligation to the thousands of exhibitors and to the women of the land, and, closing, expressed the hope that

the Exposition may Inaugurate a new era of normal and material progress and a fervent aspiration that the association of the nations here may seoure not only warmer and stronger friendships, but lasting peace throughout the world. It was now the turn of the President of the United States to present himself, and as he slowly arose from his seat and swept his eyes first over the occupants of the platform and then over one of the greatest audiences that ever man faced there went up a cheer that seemed to shake the massive dome of the building behind him and which reverberated through the grounds like the rattling of musketry. Foreigners and natives alike joined in the acclaim to the highest representative of the sovereign people of tho republic. There was a flutter of white handkerchiefs from the ladies’ side of the platform, and instantly it was taken up by the thousands of the sex that occupied the gondolas and launches on the water far in the distance. The more the handkerchiefs

were waved, the louder the cheers, and so for a space of several minutes the men vied with the women in maintaining the demonstration. All the while Mr. Cleveland stood erect, his left hand behind him, his right nervously fingering the button of his frock coat. At last, when throats and arms alike were tired and a semblance of quiet had once more come over the throng, he commenced his address. This is what he said: President Cleveland’s Speech. I am here to join my fellow-citizens In the congratulations which befit this occasion. Surrounded by the* stupendous results of American enterprise and activity, and In view of magnificent evidences of American skill and Intelligence, we need not fear that , these congratulations will be exaggerated. We stand to-day In the presence of the oldest nations of the world, and point to the great achievements here exhibited, asking no allowance on the score of youth. The enthusiasm with which we contemplate our work Intensifies the warmth of the greeting we ext end to those who have come from foreign lands to Illustrate with us the growth and progress of human endeavor In the direction of a higher civilization. We who believe that popnlar education and the stimnlation of the best impulses of our citizens led the way to a realization of the proud national destiny which our faith promises, gladly welcoming the opportunity here afforded us to see the results accomplished by efforts which have been exerted longer than ours In the field of man’s Improvements, while In appreciative return we exhibit the unparalleled advancement and wonderful accomplishments of a young nation and present the triumphs of a vigorous, self-reliant and independent people. We have built these splendid edifices, but we have also built the magnificent fabric of a popular government, whose grand proportions are seen throughout the world. We have made and here gathered together objects of use and beauty, the product of American skill and invention: bnt we have also made men who rule themselves. It

la an exalted mission In which we and our guests from other lands are engaged, as we cooperate m the Inauguration of an enterprise devoted to human enlightenment, and In the

undertaking we nere enter upon, wo exemplify In the noblest sense the brotherhood of nations. Let us hold fast to the meaning that underlies this ceremony, and let us not lose the impressiveness of, this moment., As by touch the machinery that gives life to this vast exposition is set In motion, so at the same Instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken foroes whloh in all time to come shall influence the welfare, the dignity, and the freedom of mankind. As the President was concluding the final sentence his eyes wandered to the table that was close at his left hand. Upon this was the button the pressure upon which was to start the machinery and make the opening of the Exposition an accomplished fact. It was an ordinary form of Victor telegraph key, such as is in use in most telegraph of-

flees, except that it was of gold instead of steel, and a button of ivory instead of bone. It rested upon a pedestal upholstered in navy blue and golden yellow plush and on the sides of the lower tier, In silver letters, wore the significant dates 1492 and 1893. As the last words fell from the President’s lips he pressed his finger upon the button. This was the signal for a demonstration —a series of demonstrations, in fact—difficult of imagination and infinitely more so of description. At one and the same instant the audience burst Into a thundering shout, the orchestra pealed forth the strains of the Hallelujah chorus, tho wheels of the great Allis engine in Machinery Hall commenced to revolve, the electric fountains in the lagoon threw their torrents toward the sky, a flood of water gushed forth from the MacMonnies fountain and rolled back again in the basin, the thunder of artillery came from the vessels in the lake, the chimes in Manufactures Hall and on the German Building rang out a merry peal, and overhead the flags at the. tops of the poles in front of the platform fell apart and revealed two gilded models of the ships in which Columbus first sailed to American shores. At the same moment also 1,000 flags of all nations and all colors were unfurled within sight of the platform. The largest was a great “Old Glory," which fell into graceiul folds from tho top of the center staff in front of the stand. The roof of the Manufactures Building was gorgeous in red gonfalons, while the Agricultural building waß

dressed in ensigns of orange and white. It was a wonderful scene of transformation, and amid It all cannon continued

to thunder and the crowd to oheer. It was fully ten minutes before the demonstration subsided. Then the band played •America,” and the exercises were at an end. Presidential Party Takes Lunch. Following the ceremonies In the administration buildings President Cleveland was given a luncheon. President Cleveland,, escorted by President Palmer, of the National Commission, proceeded to the restaurant on the third floor of the building. Hero they found a circular table, forty feet In diameter, awaiting their arrival. President Cleveland occupied tho seat of honor, President Palmer faced himaoroßsthe table, while Mrs. Palmer, President of the Woman’s Board, and President Hlglnbotham, of tho local directory, faced each other exactly half way round the circle from Mr. Cleveland. The total nuhiber of guests was limited to seventy, and Included the cabinet officers and their,ladles, the Puke of Veragua and his suite, 6fflcors bf tnelody managers and national commission. officers of the directory, tho Governor of Illinois, and Mayor of Chicago. Forty-four colored waiters, representing the number of States lu the Union, served the luncheon. After the luncheon was over an official reception of the President of tho United States and the officials of the

World’s Columbian Commission and the World’s Columbian Exposition by the various foreign Commissioners was

held In the tJnlted States section o( the Manufactures Building. DROVK THE LAST NAIL SATI'KDAY. >f - —■ Ceremonies Attendant I'pon the Completion of the Woman's Building. Not the least Important feature of the completion of the Woman’s Building were the ceremonies Saturday afternoon, at 4 o’clock, attending the presentation of special articles, driving the last nail, and the acceptance of decorated rooms by the President The order of exercises was the driving of the nail which was placed by Mrs. Palmer In the proscenium arch over the platform in the Assembly Hall; presentation of silk flag by Florida delegate. The rooms were prep sented in the following order by chosen representatives: Connecticut, K entucky, California, Cincinnati room (the only city represented In a room), and New York. Immediately after the opening oeremonies Monday, the Woman's Building was dedicated, the programme

consisting of an address by Mrs. Potter Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers, and music by a chorus of women's voices. The event was one of

extreme simplicity .and was of Interest to visitors of both sexes.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION GROUNDS.

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.

THE “LIBERTY BEL L.”

ON THE WAY TO THE FAIR GROUNDS.

THE CEREMONIES IN FRONT OF THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

THE WOMAN'S BUILDING.

THE DUKE OF VERAGUA.

THE GREAT ENGINE. (Set in motion by President Cleveland.)