The World’s Fair grounds are in Jackson Park, seven miles from the business center of the city, and any one who has noticed within the last year or so the great expanse of swampy, uneven ground would not recognize it to-day, so stupendous has been the transformation. The great expanse, half wilderness, half prairie, which stretches away southward from the Park on the shores of the Lake, has been transformed into a miniature city, and the great buildings, several of them in a state bordering on completion, tower high toward the skies, giving promise of the magnificent effect they will create when finished. If the millions of people whose eyes are directed in fancy upon this scene could view it in reality, they would feel satisfied that the promises made as to their entertainment will be much more than fulfilled.
The shore line of the Lake approaching the World’s Fair grounds is graced by a sweeping promenade of flag-stones. Entering the grounds one is greeted by a splendid vision of graceful lagoons, wooded islands and colossal buildings, gracefully ornamented and striking the beholder dumb with admiration.
The history of this World’s Fair project reads like a romance. All the great cities of the country contested for the honor of holding the Fair within their gates. By dint of splendid work, admirably strengthened of course by the natural advantages it possessed, Chicago won the prize, and the manner in which the city’s pledges have been carried out fully justifies the selection. The citizens of Chicago raised over five million dollars for a guaranty fund and pledged themselves to have a like amount in addition ready in case it should be needed. That is one of the reasons why Chicago secured the Fair; it was a case where “money talked.” This Fair, which marks the four hundredth birthday of this great and mighty Nation will be thrown open next year to the delight of the civilized world. The following is the proclamation by which President Harrison invited the Nations to participate:
Whereas, satisfactory proof has been presented to me that provision has been made for adequate grounds and building for the uses of the World’s Columbian Exposition, and that a sum not less than $10,000,000, to be used and expended for the purpose of said Exposition, has been provided in accordance with the conditions and requirements of Section 10 of an Act entitled “An Act to provide for celebrating the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, by holding an International Exhibition of arts, industries, manufactures and products of the soil, mine and sea, in the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois,” approved April 25, 1890.
Now, therefore, I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by said Act, do hereby declare and proclaim that such International Exhibition will be opened on the first day of May, in the year 1893, in the city of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, and will not be closed before the last Thursday in October of the same year.
And in the name of the Government, and of the people of the United States, I do hereby invite all the Nations of the earth to take part in the commemoration of an event that is preeminent in human history and of lasting interest to mankind by appointing representatives thereto, and sending such exhibits to the World’s Columbian Exposition as will most fitly and fully illustrate their resources, their industries and their progress in civilization.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety, and the independence of the United States the One Hundred and Fifteenth.
By the President. [Signed] Benj. Harrison.
[Signed] James G. Blaine, Secretary of State.