The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-07-05
distinct tones, which could be heard over
the multitude like the murmur of the sea-

the multitude like the murmur of the sea.
Vice President Stevenson Speaks.
Vice President Stevenson was now intro.
Suced. As he stepped to the front of the
platform he was greeted with a rousing
cheer. He spoke in stentorian tones, with
considerable emphasis and gesticulation,
and succeeded in getting his sentiment 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, and
1t increased tenfold as the vice president
retired.
Then s. G. Pratt, of New York, came to
the edge of tho platform, and at wave of
the baton tho chorus rose and commenced
the opening stanzas of columbia the Gem
Of the Ocean" BY the time that the
chorus was reached the audience was wild
with enthusiasm, and it Joined in the re-
frain with vim and vigor, tens of thousands
of arms waving the stars and stripes over
head. 1t was a stirring spectacle, but it
was to be intensified later on. When the
singing had ceased it was the turn of
Mayor Carter Harrison to speak in behalf
Of the Worlds fair city.
At the close of brief address the Mayor,
stepping toward the table, picked up a
small bunch of red and white carnations
and waving them in the face of the multi
tude he exclaimed Here are flowers
from the grave of Thomas Jefferson, a
mighty hero of the days Of American In
dependence. Then laying down the
flowers and picking up sword, with
magnificent gilded scabbard he continued,
with increased dramatic effect as he waved
it round his head: Here is the sword of
another great defender of America, An
drew Jackson" A great shout went up
from the throng and at this moment big
rain drops commenced to fall, the sky hav-
ing been gradually overcasting since the
commencement Of the exercises at Is
going to rain," shouted the Mayor, 'but
do you think that our forefathers, who
died for you cared for the rain2"
A mighty shout of No." came in re-
sponse.
Scenes of Enthusiasm.
"The supreme moment is at hand" con-
tinued the mayor-whose watch denoted
that it was within minute of noon. For
moment the multitude stood breathless.
Venerable Mrs. Stafford, shaking and
trembling in every limb, rose and grasped
the cord Of the flag pole. 1.-THE moment is
here" shouted the mayor. A roar of can
non, and then with palsied fingers the old
lady drew the cord toward her and Paul
Jones' flag, old and faded, but still a
priceless emblem of liberty, went up to
the top of the pole in full view of the
throng. simultaneously Mayor Harrison
again grasped the Jackson sword and
brandishing it over his head shouted
above the roar of cheers:
Men and women Of America: Let every
American swear at this moment and that
by this sword, that he stands ready to
draw his sword in the defense of this coun-
try" Forward to the stand, like the roar
of n tidal wave sweeping inland, came the
voices of tens of thousands of resolute
men and the weaker voices of thousands
OF the gcntler sex, "Ycs yes; we swear; we
swearW From the balconies OF the struc
lures behind and before, to the north and
south, down from the dome of the Admin
istration building, came like an echo the
deep, earnest roar: Yes, yes; we swear;
we swearr'
Still the mayor Sood with sword pointed
toward tho flaglilc Ajax defying the
lightning The moment was dramatic
intense-one Of those moments that are
experienced but once in lifetime. There
was not man or woman in the vast
throng but at call from country would
have marched at the moment TO the de.
fence of the flag. Then the scene was
changed. With a preliminary burst OF
melody the combined bands commenced
the strains of the Star Spanged Ban
ner," and the chorus followed in unison.
Sing, sing; all singr' shouted Mayor
Harrison, as the refrain was reached, and
flags, hats and handkcrchefs were waved.
Never before, never agnin will Jackson
park resound with such burst of song.
Message from, the Liberty Bell.
Meanwhile almost unnoticed amid the
frenzy of enthusiasm that had seized upon
the asscmblage another interesting feature
OF he program had bren in progress lust
as the flag WAS hoisted Mrs. Matlge Morris
Wagner, of San Diego, CAL. aud then
Miss Minnie +. Mickey pressed the elees
tric button upon the presidents table The
Western Union had connected u wire from
the stand to the foundry in Troy, \. Y,
where the new Liberty Bell was recently
cast. and Immediately afierward the fol.
lowing message addressed to w. o. Nc.
Dowel aud signed by Clinton II, Meneely,
was received:
The Columbian Liberty Bell was
sounded nj the instant you closed the cir.
cult ut noon OF this grand Independence
day. and this ringing was followed by the
playing OF national aud patriotic airs on
the grand chime made by us for Saint
Patrck's cathedral, New York city You
can announce to the 25o.0o0 friends who
have made such splendid offerings to this
bell that their gifts have crystalized into
grand form and that the new Liberty Bell
has been set ringing to aid peace and good
will throughout the whole world
As the final notes of the Star Splangled
Banner" died away Mayor Harrison crossed
the platform and grasped the shak-
ing hands of Mrs Stafford. who still
clung to the cord that held the pre-.
cious flag, God bless you for this day."
he said; and tears coursed down the
wrinkled features of the octogenaran.
Director General Davis then introduced
the orator of the day. Hon. Hampton L.
Carson, Of Philadelphia lie was warmly
welcomed, and his brilliant Grafton was
repeatedly interrupted by the applause of
the assembled multitude.
At the conclusion of the oration the au-
dience, which, by this time had COM
mcnced to thin out, united in singing
America. Then the Declaration of In.
dependence was read by John e. Norton,
of Chicago, the audience sang the dox.
ology, and with cheers for President
hleyeland. our country anti Mrs. Stafford,
The great demonstration came to an end
The paid admissions at the fair yesterday
numbered 274,0l4 Add to this the army
of deadheads, and there were over SOC, 600
on the grounds, most of whom participated
in the remarkable outburst of patriotism
when Paul Jones flag was raised.
Zimmerman Once Again.