The Opening Of The Fair, - Chapter 2, Page 1

The three October days of the dedication ceremonies, from the 20th to the 22d of that month, were days that will long be remembered in the annals of the Garden city, the business portions of which were almost concealed by their wealth of decorations (418KB JPG image). Never before had there here been witnessed a spectacle, or rather a series of spectacles, at once so dignified, brilliant, and impressive, and never had been gathered from our own and foreign lands so great an assemblage of eminent men. To thousands invitations had been extended, and by nearly all accepted, including among others the president of the United States and his cabinet,-- the former detained by domestic affliction,-- the vice-president, ex-presidents Hayes and Cleveland, the judges of the supreme court, the members congress, the governors of states and territories, the foreign diplomatic corps, the envoys of foreign powers, army and navy officers, and the foremost representatives of commerce and industry, of science, art, and education from every land.

A gray autumnal sky ushered in the morn of the 20th, when half a million of Chicago’s citizens filled the streets at every point of vantage from which could be witnessed a parade of civic, fraternal, and other organizations, 80,000 strong, passing in review before the vice-president of the United States. At noon, when the streets were cleared without disorder, all the invited guests, except those who took part in the procession, were assembled in the main stand, where a few minutes later were heard the sweet, fresh voices of children singing the national anthem. Then came a brief interval of silence, as from his box, seated side by side with the nations vicegerent, the director-general of the Exposition gave forth a signal that the great civic army was approaching. Following a squadron of mounted police came a band playing "La Belle Chicago," a melody composed for the occasion, and next the band of the Mexican Republic, permitted, at request of President Diaz, than whom no foreign potentate has displayed a deeper interest the World's Fair, to participate in it’s initial ceremonies. Then as chief marshal rode General Miles, in front of his numerous staff, attired in civilian garb, and riding the sorrel charger which has shared with him the hardships of many an Indian campaign. Next came in view the head of the first grand division, composed of the city officials and the members of the city council, escorted by six platoons of the Chicago hussars, mounted on coal black steeds (366KB JPG image), and with a rear-guard of grand army men and sailors, all veterans of the civil war.

At the head of the second division, preceded by the Pullman band, came the Italian societies, carrying the banners of their native or adopted land, and after them the legion of Garibaldi, followed other military companies mounted and on foot. Then, drawn by ten horses, was a huge canvas in the form of a float, representing a rock-bound coast, and beyond it the Santa Maria tossing amid the waves, her sailors dressed in the garb of the Columbian era. Next appeared the governors of states, headed by those of Delaware and Pennsylvania, and in the carriage of the latter General Snowdon, by whom were suppressed the Homestead riots. Much cheering greeted the advent of Governor Bulkeley and his Connecticut foot-guards attired in the uniform of French grenadiers in the days of Louis XVI, when first the corps was organized.

With still louder cheering were saluted Governor Russell, the boy ruler, he is termed, of the Bay state, and Governor Flower, of the Empire state, the acclamations lasting were well out of sight. No less hearty was the welcome accorded to the governors of Ohio, Iowa, and other states, but above all to the governor of Illinois, who rode without staff or escort, merely raising his hat as he passed the reviewing stand.

After the procession of governors, came what to the more thoughtful among the multitude one of the most interesting features of the parade. Preceded by their own band, headed by their principle, and dressed in neat new uniforms were several companies of Indian students from the industrial school at Carlisle in Pennsylvania. The leading company carried slates and school-books; the second, type galleys; the third implements or products of agriculture and the rest, such specimens or tools as represented their various pursuits. Halting in front of the grand stand, they performed a series of military evolutions with a rapidity and precision which won the applause of the observers. But how attractive soever this spectacle, it evoked as much of sadness as of interest, for here in this handful of boys, some of them the sole survivors of nations now swept from the earth, were represented the few who had availed themselves of this boon of education which the government extends to the offspring of its meanest citizens.

Though somewhat ponderous, and composed of such heterogeneous elements as had never before been grouped in the ranks of a parade, it was an interesting procession, one compared with which a military march is of small significance. Here was the initial celebration of the greatest of all human triumphs, the triumphs of peace, of arts and industries, greater than were ever achieved by the armies of a Caesar or a Scipio. Here were assembled people of all nationalities, ages, and conditions in life, from grizzled veterans of the civil war, bearing aloft their country's banner, to rosy-cheeked boys and girls, waving their miniature flags. Here in the same line marched the Teuton and Sclav, the Orangeman and Catholic, the African negro and the American Indian. Foes by heredity became as brothers, and under the colors of the great republic marched scores of thousands of foreign birth, whose forefathers had met on many bloody field. The hatreds and jealousies of olden days were laid aside now all were Americans, native, naturalized, or by sympathy, all were freemen, and as proud of their citizenship as of their country.