Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-05

the touch OF the electric button that was
to dedicate the new liberty bell athousand
miles across the continent.
THE FIRST FLAG.
While the guests we're being seated on
the platform renewed enthusiasm was
created by the appearance Of the yenera-
bic but sprightly woman from Marthas
Vineyard, Mass. Mrs. Stafford. who car
ried IN a card board box her precious pos
session, the first American flag. She kept
it close TO her "a she smiled and bowed
her acknowledgements to the cheering
multitude. She was given seat under
meath the small fag-pole erected for the
purpose of receiving the flag. which was
fastened 10 the line ready for tie hosting
by Mrs. Staford's inhrm hand at the
stroke of IL o'clock.
orKSISa PRAYER.
When the last of the guests had been
seated Director. General DAVIS brought
his gavel down on the table and called the
multitude 10 order. Rev. DR.. John Henry
Barrows had been announced 10 deliver
the opening prayer. but he was absent
and in his place Rev. Dr. Garfield. OF the
Unlversalist Church. was introduced.
while these scenes have changed
from wilderness TO civilization" he SAID.
"the God of our fathers has always been
with the people of the republic"
He prdyed for Divine blessing upon the
President of the United States and all
others assisting him in authority.
All Joined IN the PRAYER, Our Father
which art in Heaven" in low but distinct
tones. which could be heard over the null
tltude like the murmur OF the sea.
TIE INDEPENDENTS REMARKS.
Vice President Stevenson was now intro
duced. As he stepped TO tho front OF the
platform he was greeted with rousing
cheer. lie spoke in stentorIan tones, with
considerable emphasis and gestlculatlon,
and succeeded i'll getting his sentiments to
the hearing of the great majority OF those
before and about him.
Brief and to the point. the address was
frequently interrupted with applause. aud
II increased tenfold as the Vice-President
retired.
Then s. G.. Pratt. OF New York, came to
| the edge of the platform, and at the wave
| of tho baton the chorus rose and began the
| opening stanzas of Columbia, the Gem
| of the Ocean"
WILD ENTHUSIASM.
By the time that the chorus was reached
| the acdence was wild with enthusiasm
and il Joined in the refrain with vim ana
v1gor, tens of thousands OF arms waving
| the Stars and Stripes overhead. IT was
stirring spectacle, but 1t was to be inten-
sifed later on.
CARTER HiBRIsoS's TURN.
When the singing ceased 1t was the turn
of Mayor Carter Harrison TO speak IN be-
half Of the World's-Far city.
At one point In his address the Mayor
paused for moment. Stepping toward
| the table he picked up small bunch OF
| red and white carnations, and waving
| them towards the multitude. he exclaimed
Here are flowers from the grave OF
| Thomas jefferson. mighty hero OF the
! DAYS of American Independence. Then
| laying down the flowers and picking
up sword with O magnificent gllded
| scabbard. be continued. with increased
| dramatic effect as he waved 1t round his
| head Here is the sword OF another great
defender OF America, Andrew Jackson"
Another great shout went up from the
throng and at this moment big rsin-drops
commenced to fall, the sky having been
gradually overcastIng since the commence
ment of the exercises.
WHO CARES FOR RAIN?
at is gong to ram" shouted tho Mayor
"but do you think that our foretathers
who died for you cared for the rainI
A mighty shout OF mo" came IN re-
sponse.
THE supreme moment Is at hand" con.
tinued the Mavor. whose watch denoted
| that 10 was within minute of noon.
For q moment the multitude stood
| breathless. The venerable. Mrs. Stat.
ford, shaking and trembling in every
limb. uprose and grasped the cord o. the
flag pole.
PAUL JoSEs's FLAG UNFURLED.
"The moment is here" shouted 'hC
Navor. roar of cannon, and then WITH
| shaking fingers the old lady drew the
| cord toward her, and Paul JOnes's flag
| Ia anI faHa1 hu sftll "a nricpieas EN- ble m
of liberty. went up to the top of the
pole in full view of the throng. Simulta.
| neously Mayor Harrison again grasped the
jackson sword, and brsndishIug it over
| his head. shouted above the roar OF
cheers: MEN and women of America
Let every American swear at this moment
| and by this sword that he stands ready tC
| draw his sword in the defence of bis coun-
| try" Forward 10 the stand, like the
roar of a tidal wave sweeping in
land. came the voices of tens of thou.
sands of men and the weaker voices OF
thousands of the gentler sex: Yes, yes
we swear: we swear" From the balconle:
of the structures behind and before 70 the
north and south. down from the dome ol
the Administration Building, came Ike al
echo the deep earnest roar es. yes, We
swear; we swearn Still the Mayor stood
with sword pointed toward the flag, like
Ajax detylng the lightning. Tne moment
was dramatic Intense-One of those mo
ments that are experienced but once IN
| lifetime.
| TREMENDOUS BURST OF SONG.
Then the scene changed. With o pre-
liminary burst of melody the combined
| bands commenced the strains of the Star
Spangled Banner" and the chorus follow
cd in unison.
Sing, sing; all sing" shouted May ol
Harrison, as the refrain was reached, aDC
flags were waved and hats waved anC
handkerchiefs waved. Never before
never again will jackson Park resounc
with such burst of. song rs came at tn,
word of command: And the Star Span
gled Banner IN triumph shall wave o'el
the land of the free and the home of the
braye.'
COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL.
Meanwhile. almost unnoticed amid The
frenzy OF enthusiasm that had seized
upon the assem5lage, another interesting
feature of the programme had been IN pro
gress. Just as the flag was hoisted Mrs
Madge Morris Wagner, of San Diego
Cal, and then Miss Minnie +. Mick
ley pressed an electric-button upoI
the Presidents table. The Western Union