Huntsville gazette., 1893-07-08

the line was carriage occupied bv
Mrs. Perry Stafford, of Martha's Vine
yard, and two lady friends, who at in
tervals waved priceless relic in the
form of the original flag under which
Paul Jones sailed with the authority
of congress. Behind came carriages
containing Mayor Harrison and the
city officials, the members of the board
of aldermen and the members of the
Liberty bell committee, headed by w.
o. Mcdowell of New Jersey. The
procession moved slowly, for the boule-
ward. from curb to curb was packed
with vehicles of all descriptions car
rying their owners and guests to-
wards the park, and it was nearly
IL o'clock when it reached the
Fifty-seventh street entrance. Here
remarka bic reception awaited. Inside
the gate lining the roadway six deep
in military order, 10000 exposition ex-
hibitors of all nations were drawn up
Every man crrried an American flag;
and each division according to its
building or department was headed by
the department chief and a band AS
the procession passed through the
ranks the exhibitors uncovered and
waved the flags, while the bands broke
forth in unison with the Star Spangled
Banner.
When the mayors carriage had
reached the head Of the col
umn the word Of command
was given, the exhibitors faced
ranks southwark, and the combined
professions moved through the
grounds, bringing up in the immense
plaza between the Administration
building and the terminal station. A
portion of this had been filed in with
chairs and benches and extemporized
seats, while in the rear enough stand
ing room had been left for 100, 900 peo-
pie who were willing to join in singing
the patriotic music even if they could
not get within quarter mile of ear
shot of the speeches.
In front of the Terminal building
facing west spacious grand stand had
been erected, and long before the arri-
val of the procession an ocean of faces
were turned towards it, each wearing
a look of good-natured expectancy.
In the rear of the stand and the great
floor of the terminal station the broad
| stairways and the balconies were
packed with special guests. During
the wait the concourse was entertained
with national airs that stirred its blood
and kept it in enthusiastic mood.
Three band were grouped on the floor
the Second regiment, Pullman and
| Chicago band. Silas G. Pratt was con-
ductor for all He stood on the stair
way few feet a bove the heads of the
musicians where he could be seen and
control their work.
Director General George r. Davis
opened the ceremonies in few words
appropriate to the day
A Gavel From the Washington Elm.
When Director General Davis had
taken his seat on the platform, Col. c.
H. Clarke, of Milwaukee, stepped for
ward and presented him gavel made
from piece of the famous Washington
the gavel, Col. Clarke said:
DIRECToR-GENERAL DAVIS: One hundred
and eighteen years ago yesterday Washington
and took command OF the Continental army
under the tree known the Washington elm.
| take pleasure in presenting you with gavel
for this mornings services, made from the
wood of that now famous tree.
Great applause greeted Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson as he stepped forward
to deliver the opening address.
The Gem of the Ocean.
A chorus of 1000 voices then sang
''Colum bia, the Gem of the Ocean,"
Mayor Carter Harrison.
| Hon Carter III. Harrison was the
next speaker. He was given greet
| ing by the multitude that was quite
as hearty and enthusiastic as that ac-
| corded Vice-President Stevenson. And
| the crowd listened attentively to all he
| had to say. He welcomed the tens of
| thousands of visitors from every state
| in the union and every country on the
| face of the earth and told of the untir
| ing energy Chicago had displayed in
building the great exposition. He
dwelt at length on the celebration Of
the Fourth of July, and spoke of the
reason for observing it.
Mayor Harrison was frequently in
terrupted by applause during his
speech and at the close the shouts and
cheers of the vast multitude were such
that it fairly made the ground tremble.
| Then there was a salute of the flags
and ''Old Glory" was given one Of the
grandest greetings it has ever received.
The great chorus struck up the ''Star
Spangled Banner" and the enthusi-
astic throng quickly caught up the
tune and swelled the grandeur of the
soul-stirring song. The effect was
sublime indeed.
The Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence"
was read by j. S. Norton, of Chicago,
and during the reading the great audi
ence maintained a respectful and at
tentive silence.
When he finished there was pause
for moment, and then tens of thou
sands of people, who had listened with
honoring silence, let loose with all the
power of their being mighty shout.
Then they prolonged it until it swept
over the grand plaza like the rumbling
of thunderbolt