USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. II > Part 30
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The dedicatory ceremonies were opened with the "Columbian March," composed by Prof. J. H. Paine, of Cambridge, and rendered by the Columbian orchestra and chorus. After a prayer by Bishop Fowler, the introductory address was made by the director general, George R. Davis. Hempstead Washburne, mayor of Chicago, gave the address of welcome and a tender of the freedom of the city to Vice-President Morton, and to the representatives of foreign nations.
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World's Columbian Exposition.
The "Columbian Ode," written by Miss Harriet Mon- roe, was read by Mrs. Sarah LeMoyne, and selec- tions from it, set to music by George W. Chadwick, were sung by the Columbian chorus. The director of works, Daniel H. Burnham, tendered the buildings to President Higinbotham, and presented to him the master artists of its construction in an appropriate address. President Higinbotham responded to this address and presented to the master artists the medals made in recognition of their services. During the presentation the chorus rendered Mendelssohn's "To the Sons of Art."
Mrs. Potter Palmer, president of the board of lady"managers, then made an address on the achieve- ments of the board. President Higinbotham then tendered the buildings to Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, president of the World's Columbian commission, who, in turn, presented them to Levi P. Morton, Vice- President of the United States, who formally dedicated the buildings in an address, closing with the following words: "In the name of the government of the United States, I hereby dedicate these buildings and their appurtenances, intended by the government of the United States for the use of the Columbian Exposition, to the world's progress in arts, in science, in agricul- ture and in manufacture. I dedicate them to humanity. God Save the United States of America !" The " Hal- lelujah Chorus," from Handel's "Messiah," was then sung, following which the dedicatory oration was delivered by Hon. Henry Watterson, of Kentucky. At the close of this oration the Columbian chorus and orchestra rendered the "Star Spangled Banner." Chauncey M. Depew, of New York, delivered the Colum- bian oration. The ceremonies were concluded with prayer by His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore; the chorus, "In Praise of God," by Beethoven, and the benediction by the Rev. Henry C. McCook, of Philadelphia. A national salute was
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fired by the artillery as the ceremonies came to a close.
When large bodies of humanity unite their enthus- iasm in one direction, and the end desired is in sympa- thy with love of country, the impressiveness of the scene is sublime ; neither the romancer nor the dram- atist can fully describe it ; nor can the pen of history do more than give a measured record of it. It can say the dedication of the Columbian Exposition is done, physically, but its inspiration lives in the eyes of those who saw it, and will live in the patriotic heart of every true American citizen for a generation.
The opening of the Exposition was set for May 1, 191 days ahead, with the storms of winter intervening. The prospect was ominous, not to say alarming ; but the honor of Chicago, as well as that of the whole coun- try, was at stake. Perseverance and energy had many times been severely tested, but the end was not yet reached, nor would it be till the White City was ready for visitors, with every attendant at his post. During the last two days of April the grounds were cleaned up, the exhibits placed in view, except the few still in packing cases, which were concealed; so that on the following morning, May 1, the whole scene looked inviting for visitors.
The following table is a list of Expositions, from the time of the World's Fair in London, 1851, down to the time of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.
Year.
Place.
Number of Exhibitors.
Number of Visitors.
Acres.
Numb'r of Days Open
1851
London
15,500
6,039,195
13
144
1855
Paris
23,954
6,162,330
22.1
200
1862
London
28,653
6,225,000
25.6
171
1867
Paris
52,200
9,238,967
31
217
1873
Vienna
42,584
7,254,687
56.5
186
1876
Philadelphia
60,000
9,910,966
236
159
1878
Paris
40,366
16,032,725
100
191
1889
Paris
55,000
28,149,353
173
183
1893
Chicago
*
*
*
*
27,539,521
645
183
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World's Columbian Exposition.
A GENERAL SUMMARY OF AREA OF GROUNDS. BUILDINGS.
Square Feet.
Acres.
Square Feet.
Acres.
Main:
Administration
51,456
1.18
Agriculture ..
589,416
13.53
Art ..
261,073
5.99
Electricity
265,500
6.09
Fisheries ..
104,504
2.39
Government
155,896
3.57
Horticulture
237,956
5.46
Machinery .
796,686
18.28
Manufactures
1,345,462
30.88
Mines ..
246,181
5.65
Transportation
704,066
16.16
Woman's.
82,698
1.89
4,840,894
111.12
Minor
1,630,514
37.43
State
450,886
10.35
Foreign
135,663
3.11
Concessions (Midway
build-
ings, booths, etc.).
801,238
18.39
Miscellaneous
317,699
7.29
Total
8,176,894
187.69
GROUNDS.
Square Feet.
Acres.
Square Feet.
Acres.
Lawns and Yards:
General lawns
4,957,141
Water lawns
141,859
Yards.
2,141,386
7,240,386
166.21
Waterways
2,630,105
60.37
Roads & walks (beach, brick, asphalt, plank, macadam) . Piers:
11,146,184
255.88
Casino.
411,282
Naval.
283,843
695,125
15.95
Total
21,711,800
498.14
SUMMARY.
Square Feet.
Acres.
Buildings
8,176,894
187.69
Lawns .
7,240,386
166.21
Water
2,630,105
60.37
Roads.
11,146,184
255.88
Piers.
695,125
15.95
Total
29,888,694
686.10
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World's Columbian Exposition.
STATE AND FOREIGN BUILDINGS.
STATE.
Square Feet.
Square Feet.
Arkansas.
5,985
Missouri
5,824
California.
.59,948
Montana
7,092
Colorado.
5,064
Nebraska
7,312
Connecticut.
4,512
New Hampshire
5,464
Delaware
4,904
New Jersey
4,360
Florida.
9,394
New York
20,416
Idaho
4,090
North Dakota
3,604
Illinois.
92,388
Ohio .
11,544
Indiana
13.672
Pennsylvania
16,948
Iowa .
19,120
Rhode Island
2,872
Joint Territories
4,040
South Dakota
7,068
Kansas.
15,176
Texas 6,756
Kentucky.
7,740
Utah
4,606
Louisiana.
3,800
Vermont
4,608
Maine .. .
4,370
Virginia
7,300
Maryland
7,032
Washington
24,544
Massachusetts
7,064
West Virginia.
7,401
Michigan.
17,800
Wisconsin
9,058
Minnesota.
7,848
FOREIGN.
Square Feet.
Square Feet.
Brazil
13,448
Guatemala.
13,016
Canada
5,008
Hayti.
9,622
Ceylon
7,217
Japan
8,180
Colombia.
2,544
New South Wales. 4,864
Costa Rica
6,696
Norway
1,120
East India.
4,976
Spain. 6,608
France.
11,728
Sweden
12,552
Germany.
17,288
Turkey
2,592
Great Britain
5,712
Venezuela
3,392
Number of state buildings
37
Number of foreign buildings
18
Total
.55
The great day for the opening of the Exhibition, May 1, 1893, had now come. The ceremonies attend- ing it were held in the Court of Honor. To add to the dignity of the occasion Mr. Cleveland, president of the United States, ascended the platform at 11 o'clock. Vice-President Stevenson and other members of his cabinet were by his side. The duke of Veragua, lineal descendant of Christopher Columbus, together with the members of his family, the diplomatic corps, members of congress, directors of the Exposition, members of the Columbian commission and the board of lady man- agers, members of foreign and state commissions and officers and chiefs of departments of the Exposition and their ladies were present at this impressive scene.
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World's Columbian Exposition.
The order of exercises was as follows:
1. Music, "Columbian March" for orchestra, John K. Paine.
2. Prayer, Rev. W. H. Milburn, Washington, D. C.
3. Poem, "The Prophecy," by W. A. Croffut, Washington, D. C.
4. Music, orchestral overture to "Rienzi," Wagner.
5. Address by the director general.
6. Address by the president of the United States.
Chorus "
7. Starting of machinery, during which time the " Hallelujah (Handel), was performed.
8. Official reception of the president of the United States and the officials of the World's Columbian Commission and of the World's Columbian Exposition by the various foreign commissions, in the building for Manufactures and Liberal Arts.
President Cleveland now arose to speak. He was received with great enthusiasm. After his speech he pressed the key of the electric attachment that set the great engine of 2,000-horse power in motion. Imme- diately streams of water sprang up from the electric fountains, every flag was flung to the breeze, shrill whistles of the lake craft rent the air, cannons boomed, and enthusiastic cheers from the vast multitude added volume to this sonorous din of harmonious discord that terminated these formalities.
The fruition of Chicago's ambition, as well as her financial obligations, were now about to be realized; but it may truly be said that the minds of the friends of the Exposition were agitated with anxiety lest an existing money panic should diminish the sale of tickets; hence the receipts for the first month, May, were looked for- ward to with earnest hope. They averaged $37,510 per day for gate money. The total from all sources during the month was $583,031. The total receipts for June were $1,256,180. This improvement was encouraging, as it afforded means to make payments on floating debts and reduce pressing obligations. The dedication and opening services of the Exposition had more than realized the expectations of those responsible for its success, and of all who took pride in it; but a cloud came over the scene at this critical moment. Eight days after the opening, the Chemical National bank of Chicago failed. It had a branch in the administra- tion building, in which over $60,000 were deposited by
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World's Columbian Exposition.
exhibitors. It would have been fatal to the credit and success of the Exposition to have subjected them to any loss by this failure. To provide against this discredit- able showing the following gentlemen made good the deficiency by subscription :
Erskine M. Phelps. Ferdinand W. Peck.
Norman B. Ream.
Edward B. Butler.
Arthur Dixon.
William T. Baker.
Byron L. Smith.
Otto Young.
Charles H. Schwab.
Thies J. Lefens.
John W. Doane.
John J. Mitchell.
Andrew McNally.
Washington Porter.
Edward F. Lawrence.
George H. Wheeler.
Elbridge G. Keith.
Martin A. Ryerson.
H. N. Higinbotham.
William J. Chalmers.
George M. Pullman.
Charles L. Hutchinson. William D. Kerfoot.
George Schneider.
Frederick S. Winston.
Adolph Nathan.
Edwin Walker.
Albert A. Sprague.
Herman H. Kohlsaat.
Charles H. Wacker.
Milton W. Kirk.
Robert A. Waller.
John J. P. Odell.
Lyman J. Gage.
Melville E. Stone.
The work of construction and preparation was now finished, the amount paid out for which was $17,869,- 421.94 ; but so stupendous had been the plans to carry out the extravagant requirements of Chicago's ambition, that to liquidate all the debts still due to contractors and other claimants required over $4,000,000 more. The bonded and floating debts alone of the Exposi- tion were about $8,000,000, with but five months more in which to liquidate them. The prospect that this could be done was not encouraging ; but the public, fortunately, did not know the dark side of this picture.
Bodies of men associated together to accomplish a great public enterprise must necessarily be made up of varieties of character, corresponding to the magnitude of their undertaking. If one man had the power of control of the whole management of this undertaking, the chances of cross-purposes would be minimized, pro- viding this autocrat was a man of discrimination and clean cut methods of execution, and providing, also, he was a technologist in every branch of artisanship nec- essary for the service ; but the Columbian Exposition, in its multifarious waves of human energy, whetted to a keen edge by four hundred years of progress, dating from the event it celebrated, could not be entirely under abeyance of one, though even a master mind, in detail.
421
World's Columbian Exposition.
Subordinate boards and committees consisting of ex- perts in their respective responsibilities must be con- structed. These boards and committees, now in full force, had given form and authority on which to build a historical monument worthy of America. Though it is natural that such an idea should originate in Chicago, situated as it is on the western verge of this progress that had grown out of Columbus' discovery, yet, conservatism still had doubts of her ability to make a success of it. And here it is impossible to say too much in praise of such men as had devoted their time with this object in view, often leaving scanty hours for sleep. They had an army of cormorants on their trail, determined to make the most they could by exorbitant charges for services ; and to do so, taxed the gener- osity of the promoters of the exhibition to the utmost limit. There were also jealousies to settle among a class who could play the artist or the Shylock ; but the foremost point to be considered was how to get an ade- quate return for the immense expenditures already involved, how to bring honor instead of disgrace to Chicago.
August 17th, 10 per cent on the Exposition bonds were paid.
During the first three months the receipts of the Exposition had been $4,230,979.89; the expenses for the same time being $1,822,672.37, leaving a balance of $2,408,307.52 to be applied on the floating debt. The most pressing obligations had been discharged. The bonded debt was $4,444,500. The payment of the first installment called for $444,450. The receipts for August were $2,337,856.25, expenses, $569,798.12, leav- ing a balance of $1,768,058.13. From the receipts of Chicago day, October 9th, and from those of the pre- vious months, the remaining bonded indebtedness, amounting in all to $1,565,310.75, was paid.
To increase the interest in the Exposition a list of special days, in an honorary sense, was observed. These
422
World's Columbian Exposition.
days consisted of compliments devoted to foreign countries, to different states of the Union, to various mechanical trades and artisanship, to literary days. For instance: Poets' day, Military day, Veterans' day, Patriotic day, Independence day, in which the old Liberty Bell revived the remembrance of our revolu- tionary fathers and the Declaration of Independence. But of all these days none called forth so great an attendance as Chicago day, which, being observed on the anniversary of her great fire, appealed to the emotions of her citizens, who took pride in the rebuild- ing of the burnt city. The paid attendance on that day was 716,880. Every means of transportation from a radius of more than 100 miles was taxed to its utmost limit. It is doubtful if ever before an event had oc- curred in the United States that called forth three- fourths of a million persons.
October 11 the directors gave a banquet to the commissioners of foreign nations represented at the Exposition, for which great preparations were made, intending to make it the crowning social event of the Exposition. President Palmer was also honored with a banquet at the Auditorium, at which all the great interests of the Exposition were represented. The directors' banquet, held in Music hall, had an immense attendance. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Walker, Henrotin, Ellsworth, Scott, Revell and the president and director general were appointed to take charge of this entertainment. At this banquet, after a salutation by President Higinbotham, the following toasts were given:
"President of the United States and Rulers of Other Nations." Response' by . Thomas W. Palmer, president of the World's Columbian Commission.
"The Birth of the Exposition." Response by Lyman J. Gage, ex-president of the World's Columbian Exposition.
"Design of the Exposition." Response by Daniel H. Burnham, director of works.
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World's Columbian Exposition.
"Great Britain and Her Colonies.
Response by Florence O'Driscoll, M. P., Royal British Commissioner.
"Illinois." Response by Governor John P. Alt- geld.
"The German Empire." Response by Dr. Max Richter, imperial representative commissioner.
"City of Chicago." Response by Mayor Carter H. Harrison.
"The French Republic." Response by Edmond Bruwaert, consul-general and acting commissioner- general.
"The Development of the Exposition." Response by W. T. Baker, ex-president World's Columbian Exposition.
"The Russian Empire." Response by C. Ragousa- Soustcheosky, acting commissioner-general.
"The Kingdom of Spain." Response by E. Dupuy de Lome, minister plenipotentiary and royal commis- sioner-general.
"The Closing Days of the Exposition." Response by George R. Davis, director-general World's Colum- bian Exposition.
"The Austrian Empire." Response by Anton von Palitschek-Palmforst, imperial royal consul and com- missioner-general.
"The Kingdom of Italy." Response by Marquis Enrico Ungaro.
"The Executive Commissioners of the States of the Union." Response by Edward C. Hovey, vice-pres- ident National Association of Executive Officers.
"The Future Influence of the Exposition." Re- sponse by Harlow N. Higinbotham, president World's Columbian Exposition.
Preparations had been made for closing ceremonies October 30, 1893, in Festival hall, equal to the grandeur of the occasion; but on Saturday night, the 28th, the citizens of Chicago and the officers of the Exposition
424
World's Columbian Exposition.
were startled by the death of the mayor of Chicago, Carter H. Harrison, at the hands of an assassin. This changed the character of the entire closing scenes, and when the people gathered, October 30, instead of joy and festivity, a sense of sorrow was omnipresent. President Palmer came forward and said:
"As all present know, it had been the intention to follow out in every detail the elaborate and impressive programme of exercises that had been prepared. It would have been enhanced and enriched with music, with festivities, and with the firing of cannon. It had been intended to bring these exercises to a close at sunset by the fall of the gavel simultaneously with the salute of artillery; but all this has been changed. Only the firing of the gun and the lowering of the flag will signify the end of the World's Columbian Exposition at sun - set. And now then, in obedience to the provision of the act of congress creating this Exposition, I declare the World's Columbian Exposition officially closed."
Dr. Barrows, after brief remarks, gave the bene- diction in solemn words to the immense audience, who had risen to their feet in reverence for the occasion. They then filed out of the hall, while Beethoven's "Funeral March " was being rendered with impressive effect.
The amenities of social life lie at the foundation of law, morality, religion, love of country and love of everything we hold dear. Fairs and expositions are the handmaidens of these amenities, necessary to rep- resent them, to stimulate them to action. Local fairs might be tarnished with a jingo spirit, but world expo- sitions must be broader, more comprehensive, more charitable; they must embrace the ethics of human rights, according to the estimation of philosophers and statesmen. In the ways and means of promoting them the financial question must be incidental and subor- dinate to the incentives and principles.
In old countries, where conservatism prevails uni- versally, world expositions are handicapped by the deeply worn ruts of allegiance to time-worn prejudices, conceits, opinions and customs; but the citizens of a young nation think and act more in accordance with natural law and the natural rights of man; an immacu- late tablet is unfolded to them on which to write, inde-
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World's Columbian Exposition.
pendently, whatever is needed to conserve the wants of its people. This is why the World's Columbian Ex- position at Chicago was a greater success than any world's exposition ever held before. This success was not due to superior financial resources, but to the en- thusiasm of Chicago citizens, in alliance with the pride of the nation. Nations decline in power and cease to exist when the amenities of social life cease to animate their ruling powers sufficiently to make them adminis- ter blind and even handed justice to their respective subjects. Young nations take their places and chant their requiem.
Every world's fair hitherto held has given an im- pulse to whatever could impart life and light to the subjects of the nation that held it, as well as to the dif- ferent peoples who patronized it.
As a landmark, as an educator, as a school of tech- nology, as a school of natural history, as a decorator with the highest degrees in the temple of fame for arti- sans and literati, the Columbian Exposition reached the highest record of any which had preceded it. Future generations will make an archeological study of it, from which to mark the stage of human progress of the world at that time, not only of its most enlightened peoples, but of its most barbarous tribes-grand and opinionated in their personality, whether from the Polar regions, the South Sea islanders or the inhabitants of the dark continent. Here they came with their native habits and costumes, their guttural tongues and their sharply defined religious tenets. All these were shown at a single view.
The Olympic games were the pride of Greece- Greece, the fountain of our civilization. They marked a chronology, just preceding the Christian era, and some of our grandest classic literature bears date of the Olympic period. Though these games were de- signed for physical development, they taught a princi- ple, akin to the teachings of the immortal Jefferson, in
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World's Columbian Exposition.
the Declaration of Independence. Crowned heads ran foot races with the humblest subject. Here was the doctrine, " All men are born free and equal," reduced to practice. The Olympic games constituted an expo- sition, to amuse and instruct. They made progress in this direction; they would have made more if the world had been in the enjoyment of the printing press, and of other appliances of our present system of education.
The hiatus between the Olympic period and our era was marked with many a recoil from the grandeur of Grecian civilization. Once and again Europe was buried. in ignorance and superstition. Evolution succeeded evolution as the centuries rolled on, till science finally took the lead, and made a steady advance. The present. civilization of Europe and America is the result.
The World's Exposition of London, 1851, closed with a yacht race, in which all nations were invited to participate. The silver cup which Queen Victoria offered to the winner became a national heirloom to the United States, being a graceful and deserved com- pliment to the American sailor; and should England ever win it back, the honor of the United States will rise to a still higher scale by her graceful return of the cup as an acknowledgment of England's successful rivalry. This friendly challenge for speed in sailing craft is cited as an instance of the comity of nations, and the benefits to the world which grow out of exposi- tions. To enumerate all the friendly rivalries in every department of national and world known prov- erbs and hypotheses that grew out of the World's Columbian Exposition, would be impossible.
Its wide range of exhibits in all the arts of peace, and even of war, have inspired a love of the beautiful, an ambition to excel, a desire to deserve praise; each exhibitor in his respective sphere, that must prove a lasting benefit to America in every profession, and in every department of mechanical ingenuity, as well as in advanced thought in morality and religion, which
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World's Columbian Exposition.
latter subject was so charitably dealt with by the Con- gress of Religions.
HAPPY, PROUD AMERICA!
You have excelled the world in your "manifest of cargo" of its most precious gems of thought, tri- umphs of art, and models of machinery, wherewith to keep all mankind alive with action.
Of the many portraits painted of Columbus, none has the proofs of authenticity, except Gunther's, the one herewith presented.
Sir Antonio Moro's three-quarter life portrait of Christopher Columbus, owned by Charles F. Gunther, Chicago, was executed about 1543 or 1545, from a miniature originally done for the court of Spain. This portrait was done at this court for Margaret, regent of the Netherlands, and the duke of Alva, who was ambitious to form a collection of portraits of a historic character for his palace, the Spaniards then being in possession of the Netherlands. The great navigator undoubtedly sat for the miniature from which it was executed. The painting was the first exhibit to arrive in Chicago for the World's Fair. The fact that it was executed for royalty is proven by the golden crown that surmounts and honors the frame. The execution of the portrait is in the style of the old masters, Velazquez and Rembrandt, and is remarkable for its coloring and life-like appearance. The frame spoken of above, which was made at the same time as the portrait, is fully as interesting as the canvas. It is fashioned with superb skill, and is a grand mass of intricate carving. It is gilded, and on the top there are the coat-of-arms and quarterings of Columbus, the islands, the anchor, the sword and caravels.
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