The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-05
THE FOURTH AT CHICAGO
An IMMENSE CROWD CELEBRATES
THE D1YAT THE WORLDS FAIR.
About 100000 People Greet Director Cen
ersl Davis, Nice-President stevenson
and Mayor Carter Harrison.

ablaze with patriotism to-day. 1t was the
centre from which the patriotic pulse OF
liberty-loving people. enjoying the man.
ifold blessings Of a land OF the free and
a home Of the brave beat through the
nation.
The exercises Of the day had a prelude
in a procession Of the leading partici-
pants. 1t left the city hall at o'clock
| with company Of the Second regiment,
headed by it's band Heading the line
was a carriage occupied by Mrs. Perry
Stafford, of Martha's Vineyard. and two
lady friends, and who held, and at inter-
walls waved. a priceless relic in the form
Of the original flag under which Paul
Jones sailed with the authority of Con-
gress. Behind came carriages containing
Mayor Harrison and the city officials, the
members of the board OF aldermen. the
members of the liberty bell committee,
headed by w. O. Mcdowell. OF New Jer-
sey The procession moved slowly for
the boulevard.
The streets from curb TO curb were
packed with vehicles Of all descriptions.
carrying their owners and guests toward
the park. and it was nearly II O'Clock
seventh street entrance. Here remark
able reception awaited It. Inside the gate
lining the Roadway six feet deep. in mill
tary order. 5000 Exposition exhibitors Of
all nations were drawn up. Every man
carried an American flag and each di-
vision. according TO it's building or de-
partment, was headed by the department
chief
AS the procession passed through the
ranks the exhibitors uncovered and waved
their flags, while the bands broke forth
In unison with the "Star-Spangled Ban
ner" When the mayors carriage had
reached the head Of the column 'the word
Of command was given, the exhibitors
faced ranks southwark, and the COM
bined professions moved through the
grounds.s bringing up in the immense
piazza between the Administration build
ing and the terminal station. 4 portion
Of this space had been filed IN with chairs
and benches and extemporized seats. while
I'm the rear enough standing room had
been left for n hundred thousand people.
who were too willing 10 join in sing
Ing the patriotic music even II they
could not get within a quarter OF mile
OF the speakers. In front Of the Terminal
building. facing west. n spacious grand
stand had been erected and long before
the arrival Of the procession an ocean
OF faces We're turned toward II. In the
rear Of the stand the great floor % the
Terminal station, the broad stairways
and the balconies were packed with spe-
cial guests.
IT was not until 1l:2O that Director
General Davis, arm I'm arm with Vice.
President Stevenson, appeared at the head
OF the steps leading 20 the platform, and
f~f.Fs I'll M
throats Behind the Director-Gencral and
the Vice President came the mayor and
corporation the national commissioners
and board Of directors. the lady man
ayers and several hundred special guests
Of the occasion. Below the platform We're
the members Of the Columbian chorus.
men and women, fifteen hundred Of them.
each with a big flag that later on was
10 be waved i'm triumph 10 signalize the
touch Of the electric button that was 10
dedicate the new Liberty bell a thousand
miles eastward across the continent.
While the guests were being seated on
the platform, renewed enthusiasm was
created by the appearance Of the venera-
BILE, bat sprlghtly, woman fro n Martn's
Vineyard. Mass, Mrs. Stafford, who car
ried I'm a cardboard box her precious pos
session. the first American flag She
kept IL close 10 her, as she smiled. and
then bowed her acknowledgements 20 the
cheering multitude. She was given a
seat underneath the small fag-pole
erected for the purpose OF receiving the
flag, which was fastened TO the line.
ready for the hosting by Mrs. Staffords
infrm hand at the stroke Of Il o'clock.
When the last OF the guests had been
seated. Director-General Davis brought
his gavel down on the table. and called
.la n iD1n
Henry Barrows had been announced to
deliver the opening prayer. bur he was
absent. and in his place Rev Or. Cam
field. OF the Uniyersalist Church, was
introduced.
'While these scenes have changed from
a wilderness to civilization he said,
"the God Of our fathers has always been
with the people Of the Republic" lie
prayed for divine blessings upon the
head Of the President Of the United
States and all others assisting him in
authority.
All Joined in the nlial prayer, "Our
Father. who art in heaven" In low but
distinct tones, which could be heard over
the multitude like the murnur OF the
sea.
vice e-President Stevenson was now
introduced. As he stepped to the
front Of tho platform he was
greeted with rousing che"r'
lie spoke in stentorian tones,
with considerable emphasis and sesticu-
lation. and succeeded in getting his senu-
ments TO the hearing OF the great ma
ioritv OF those before and about him.
He said:
II am confident that at no time nor
place have human eyes beheld grander
sssen.bl9ge. This Is Americas day. Uh-
der the auspices Of the great Exposition
other days have been set apart 10 com
memorate marked events In history me |
individual States OF our Uunion and the
nations OF The earth each and all, ana |
wisely. too. have had a special day assign
ed them. In the great congresses which
have here assembled. representatives OF
ali lands end of all pathways OF human |
endeavor have been gathered. Science
q aericulture and the arts have not been |
forgotten. All who toll with hand or /
brain no matter whence they come or |
what they bring, have been welcomed 70 |
the great Exposition. Whoever could add
to the sum OF human learning, or lessen /
the sum OF human woes. have been ana
ere thrice welcome guests. But this day
our day-comes unheralded by edlct or
For more than one hum
dred wears II has been the day OF days
of America. To-day we do honor 20 the
memory OF the signers OF the Declara-
tion OF Independence. These ceremonies,
his coming together of the people, note
the anniversary Of the birth OF our Re-
public. -,