The Address by Director-General Davis

This is Part 8 of our series “Opening Day of the World’s Fair,” which explores the events of May 1, 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The full series can be found here.

As conductor Thomas laid down his ebony baton following the performance the “Rienzi” overture by the Exposition Orchestra, Director-General George R. Davis rose from his seat and bowed to the chief magistrate and those surrounding him. One more speech remained before President Cleveland’s time to the touch the magic key and open the Fair.

With distinctive flowing locks and a sharp profile recognizable even from a great distance, Davis approached the speaker’s stand and paused for a moment, greeting the rapturous cheering. The man who had done so much toward bringing about the consummation of the century’s grandest enterprise was for the moment embarrassed by the generosity of his reception.

Once the throng below him became silent, the Director-General commenced with his address. While few could hear what he said, it was not difficult to catch the cue. Davis’ address, properly enough, dwelt lightly on the hindrances and discouragements that had been met.

Davis’s address

I had prepared something to say upon this momentous occasion, something touching the importance and scope of the work of this Exposition, but I observed this swaying mass of humanity are anxious to hear the President, the representative of the people of the United States. Still, I wish to say a little something of our efforts, not the inspiration of a single man, of a single person, but the aggregate efforts of a people enlisted in the celebration of a great event. I wish to compliment the efforts of the national commission, composed of 180 members selected from every State in the Union and presided over by T. W. Palmer, of Michigan; the Illinois corporation, presided over by President H. N. Higinbotham, and the Board of Lady Managers, presided over by Mrs. Potter Palmer, all of whom have faithfully performed their duties and to all of whom your thanks are due.

The department of finance, composed of members of the Illinois corporation, has, with a disinterestedness remarkable, with courage undaunted, successfully financed the Exposition and has provided for the great work upward of $20,000,000.

The department of works and its many bureaus of artists, architects, engineers and builders have transformed these grounds, which twenty-one months ago were an unsightly, uninviting and unoccupied stretch of landscape, into the beauty and splendor of to-day. They have conspicuously performed their functions, and these grand avenues, these Venetian water ways, the finished landscape, the fountains and sculptures and colonnades and these grand palaces stand out as a monument to their genius and their skill, supplemented by the labor of that great army of skilled artisans and workmen, all citizens of this republic.

The citizens of our country are proud of the action of the congress of the United States of America in authorizing and directing the celebration to take place, for the appropriation of more than $5,000,000 in its aid and for the unswerving support and encouragement of the officers of the government.

To the States of the Union we are largely indebted for active and substantial support. A sum in excess of $6,000,000 has been raised and expended by States and Territories for the official use in promoting their own interests co-jointly with the general success of the Exhibition.

To the foreign nations who have a representation upon these grounds never before witnessed at any exposition, as shown by the grand exhibits they have brought here, and the hundreds of official representatives of foreign governments who are present on this occasion, we bow in grateful thanks. More than $6,000,000 has been officially appropriated for these commissions in furtherance of their participation in the Exposition. The great nations of Europe and their dependencies are all represented upon these grounds. The governments of Asia and Africa and the republics of the western hemisphere, with but few exceptions, are here represented.

To the citizens and corporation of the city of Chicago, who have furnished $11,000,000 as a contribution, and in addition have loaned the management $5,000,000 more, are due the grateful acknowledgments of our people and of all the honored guests who share with us the advantage of this great international festival.

To the tens of thousands of exhibitors who have contributed in a larger amount than all others combined, we are under the deepest obligations for their interest and co-operation.

To the women of Chicago and our great land, whose prompt, spontaneous and enthusiastic co-operation in our work turned the eyes of the world toward the Exposition as toward a new star of the east an inspiration for womanhood everywhere we extend our cordial and unstinted recognition.

And now, Mr. President, in this central city of this great republic on the continent discovered by Columbus, whose distinguished descendants are present as the honored guests of our nation, it only remains for you, if in your opinion the Exposition here presented is commensurate in dignity with what the world should expect of our great country, to direct that it shall be opened to the public, and when you touch this magic key the ponderous machinery will start in its revolution, and the activities of the Exposition will begin.

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SOURCES

(See our note about sources here.)

“Director General’s Address” Chicago Inter Ocean May 2, 1893, p. 5.

“Epoch in History” Chicago Herald May 2, 1893, p. 1.

“Ready for a World” Chicago Daily Tribune May 2, 1893, p. 1.