Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1893 — WIDE OPEN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WIDE OPEN.

Fcrmal Opening of the Columbian Exposition. President Cleveland Sets the Machinery In Motion—Bad Weather and Stir- - *. rliiß Scenes. The day long anticipated for the formal opening of the Columbian Exposition at Chicago dawned Monday morning with skies sodden and bleak,, and a chilled mist filled the atmosphere. The weather conditions seemed not to have 7 yielded to “Cleveland luck." Hunting throughout the city was damp and listless, and a general tone of gloom pervaded the air and streets. But to Chicago, whoso, day of history this was, weather conditions counted for naught, and early thovpeople were asj,ir. The btisj,ling™eagftf, rektleSS spirit of the great West was bounding through every artery of this, its capital city. The consummation of an enterprise, the location of which was bitterly contested with its oldest rival eastward by the sea, took place when the myriad wheels began their turning in response to tho touch of the Nation's President upon a golden key that reached out through an electric train to the mighty engines, which are:to the Columbian Exh ihitinn thA vft.ftV moving energy. Rain or shine, wet or dry, the people of this prairie city were bound to be early upon their feet, filled

with one desire, Imbued with one purpose—to witness the practical Inauguration of the stupendous undertaking and to give it all the prestige and interest that comes with the indorsement by popular presence at any function at which the people at large are partners. The centers of interest in the early part of the day were at the Auditorium Hotel, where was stopping the Duke of Veragua. and the Lexington, which had entertained President Cleveland and the Cabinet over Sunday. The halls and office of the Auditorium Hotel presented a lively scene as the members-of the World’s Pair commission of the local Exposition directois and innumerable members of a hundred and one committees* every man with a big flapping badge, rushed around as duty called,or sat in a chair as inclination led him and fervently wished that “the Duke would hurry up.” For all these

gentlemen, ornamented with gay ribbons and dignified with high silk hats, were waiting for His Excellency, the Duke of Veragua, to perform tho act of riding down in an elevator, and riding off in a carriage to the Lexington Hotel, where the parade to the World’s Fair grounds was to be formed. There were dozens of other people there, too—people who had invitations to sit on the grand-stand, see the President press tho button and watch the great ongine do the rest. They wore for the most part tho wives, daughters and male relatives of tho gentlemen who were behind the ribbons. The-Duke and his party were scheduled to leave the hotel at 8:45 o’clock and prompt to the minute the doors of his apartment on the parlor floor swung open and out came the Duke in an attire that would have caused a rainbow to merge all its colors In an envious green. He wore a dark blue uniform, almost every square Inch of which was decked with golden lace; massive golden epaulets ornamented his shoulders, and across his breast was a ribbon three times as wide, twenty times as long and a thousand times as gaudy as any that dangled on any member of any committee that was gathered In his honor. Other members of the Ducal party were equally gorgeous in their attire. boon after 9 o’clock President Cleveland

and hijs associates left their rooms at the Lexington Hotel, and were conducted to carriages, tiro Spanish guests also adding to tho notable company embarking for the ride to the great Fair. Standing like mounted figures In bronze., a platoon of

police horsemen waited between the curbs to lead the procession. Behind them were companies B. and K, Seventh United States Cavalry, under command of Captain Vamum and Hare. Next were the Chicago Hussars, with Troop A of the 11--Bnots National Guard. The ganizations and carriages which had been assigned to positions in the parade which was to escort President Cleveland and his Cabinet. Vice-President Stevenson, tho

Duke of Veragua, and other distinguished guests in the World’s Fair grounds, began gathering in the vicinity of the Lexington Hotel, the President’s domicile, at Michigan avenue and Tvvcnty-sesond street. After a hasty breakfast the President and his party, having been joined by the Duke' of Veragua and the other distinguished guests who were to appear in the parade, they-entered their .carriages, and the procession proceeded on its way to Jackson Park. On reaching the Park the procession moved to the Administration Building, where tho ceremonies of opening the Fair were held. Entering the building the notables passed out upon the great platform erected for the event, and looking upon the plaza, beyond which the waters of the main basin reached out between the Manufactures and Agricultural Building, beneath a noble and grand colonnade which connects othe Music Hall and the CasiniL . Most of the invited guests were seated when Mr. Cleveland appeared and faced a crowd of people that thronged every atom of earth upon which human feet might rest, save the dark green turf which formed a setting for the blue waters of the basin, nature being able thus to combine clashing colors with • exquisite effect.

Already the lady managers and other officials not in the procession were seated, and as the President moved down the aisle to the stand prepared for him at the outer platform, a tumult of cheers shook the air and well-nigh made the builings tremble. Fifty-five people were clustered immediately around Mr. Cleveland when he took his seat. The Duke of Veragua was among them, also members of the Cabinet and of the diplomatic corps; legislators, consuls and other officials were banked up behind them; The opening ceremonies were begun soon after 10 o’clock with the performance of John K.Paine's Columbian march, followed by an invocation by Chaplain Milburn, of the United States Congress. “The Prophecy,” a poem written for the occasion by W. A. Crollut, of Washington, was then presented. Following the reading of Mr. Croffut’s poem, Director-General Davis made the opening speech which closed with the presentation of Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland having arisen, was kept several minutes waiting until the applause should subside, after which ho, with bared head, began speaking. HeJsald: “I am here to join my follow-citizens in the congratulations which befit this occasion. Surrounded by the stupendous results of American enterprise and activity, and in view of magnificent evidence 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 we have 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 extend to those who have come from foreign lands to illustrate with us the growth and progress of human endeavor in the direction of higher civilization. Wo who believe that popular education and the stimulation of the impulses of our citizens lead the way to the realization of the proud national destiny, which our faltn promises, gladly welcome the opportunity hero afforded 11s to see the results accomplished by efforts which have been exerted longer than ours in the field of man’if employment; while

in appreciative return we exhibit the unparalleled advancement and wonderful accomplishments of a young nation, and present the triumphs of a vigorous.self-re-liant and independent people. We have built these splendid edifices, hut we have also built the magnificent fabricof a popular go\ eminent whose grand proportions are seen through that work. We have made and gathered together objectsjjf use and beauty, tho products of American skill and invention; we have also made men who rule themselves! “It is an exalted mission In which we and our guests from other lands are engaged. as we co-operate in the inauguration of an enterprise devoted to human enlightenment. and in the undertaking we hero enter upon we exemplify In the noblest sonso tne 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 a touch the machinery that gives life to this vast exposition is now set in motion, so at the same instant let our hopes and aspirations awaken forces which in all time to come shall influence the welfare, the dignity and the freedom of njankind.” As the President delivered the last word of his speech he reached forward his arm, and rested his forefinger upon the button of the golden telegraph key, which communicated to the engineer in charge of the great boilers which communicated Its power terthe machinery of the great Exposition, The scene of historic interest was on the outside, however. At this instant the men at the ropes at the foot of each of the great flag-staffs laid hold with a vim, tho monstrous American flag, in a balloon-liko wad at the top of the center pole, broke forth and broadened out in the

air, while at each of the poles at the corners of the Administration Building stout men hauled aloft the great banners, upon which respectively were blazoned the arms of Castile and Aragon. The center banner was that of the United States, and the others represented the colors of old Spain. Simultaneously flags were flung to tho breeze from all the buildings, and the groat throng knew that the World’s Fair had begun. At tho W’oman’s Building an address was delivered by Mrs. Potter Palmer, and tho hymn “America” and a benediction brought the exercises to uulose. The buildings aro yet in a chaotic and incomplete condition, and visitors who desire to see the Fair and do not care par-

(The key is of solid gold, with ivory handles. It is mounted on a handsome base covered with plush in the colors of America and Spain. The figures “1492—1892” appear on the base.) ticularly for the city will do well to postpone the trip for some time at least. The amount of money which has been expended for tho purposes of the Fair is $33,000,000. The stockholders in the World’s Fair corporation and the city of Chicago have contributed about one-third of the money. Nearly $5,000,000 have been borrowed on Fair detonture bonds. From other sources a few millions of dollars have been obtained. Mote than half the entire cod of the Fair came from this immediate neighborhood. Tho Unit id States Governmenont appropriated about $5,000,000, and then confiscated nearly $500,010 of Fair funis, scalping one of its appropriations for that purpose. The several States of the Union gavo about SG.OKI,OOO. Foreign nations paid about $6,0 0,000 for their di: plays. These sums mako up tho amount of Fair expenditures to tho date of opening, and the full completion of all tho buildings, with the preparations required until every part of the enterprise shall be fully established and in active operation.

THE LATE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, IN FRONT OF WHICH THE CEREMONIES WERE HELD.

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.

THE KEY PRESIDENT CLEVELAND TOUCHED.