The record-union., 1893-07-05
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
CHICAGO, July At was fitting that
the Fourth of July, the natal day of the
Nations independence. should witness
the largest attendance of the season at the
Worlds Columbian Exposition. Every
railroad running into Chicago gave a
special rate to-day, and the closing of
commercial houses enabled the working
and business people of Chicago to swell
the throng, until the aggregate became
greater than on any previous day, being
roughly estimated at a quarter of a
million people. The weather was alter
nately fair and threatening, but after
slight sunshine. The programme con-
sumed little more than an hour, and
was carried out from the grand stand
erected in front of the terminal station.
The surrounding space was packed with
humanity before the commencement OF
the exercises. Every patriotic sentiment
of the orators was cheered, and the en-
thusiasm of the assemblage was an in
spiration to the speakers.
Most of the visitors came fortified with
lunch baskets, and when the lunch hour
thousands of people psrtaking of their
midday repast.
The event of the day was the Fourth of
July Grafton by Vice-President Steven
son. Applause, such as can only egiven
by hundred and fifty thousand people,
followed the Vice-P Presidents address.
There was also an inspiring scene when
"Old Glory' was saluted and Director
General Davis was presented with a gavel
made from the famous Washington elm,
under which the Father of his country
over hundred years ago to-day took
command of the Continental army.
Flags and bunting in great profusion
were used to decorate the buildings.
There were I75 flags displayed around
the exterior of the California bulldog
alone, beside streamers and bunting in
side. California set the pace, and there
was active rivalry between the various
States in the matter of appropriate deco
ration. Washington, whose certificate of
Statehood was only signed four years ago
to-day, took especial pains to demon
strate her patriotic pride in the Nations
anniversary and her own. The tall flag
pole, made from one of Washington's
famous cloud-climbing trees, was deco
rated with bunting from top to bottom.
An Immense crowd gathered at the
Pennsylvania building, where the old
liberty bell is kept. The bell was not to
be removed from the building during the
day, at the request of its owners, the city
of Philadelphia.
AN HISTORIC FLAG UNFURLED,
The most dramatic incident took place
at noon. Every flag surrounding the
grand stand had up to this time been
furled. at L o'clock the second signal
was given, and Mrs. Stafford, the lineal
descendant of Lieutenant Stafford of the
Bon Homme Richard, hosted the origi-
nal flag, borne over 100 years ago at the
masthead of Captain Paul Jones' inyin-
cible cruiser. Instantly salute of ar
uiiery announced that high noon had
arrived, and electric sparks, communi-
Gated at the instant Mrs. Stafford hoisted
the American colors, caused all the sur
rounding flags to be unfurled to the
breeze. The same electric agency COM
Inunicated a signal to cities hundreds of
miles away, and it is supposed thousands
of American flags throughout the coun-
try were unfurled in unison at this noon.
This interesting incident was the
source of great interest to the crowd, who
loudly applsuded the old Rhode Island
lady as she hoisted the original colors.
COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES.
The commemorative exercises began at
II o'clock. They opened with music
from a chorus of nearly 1000 voices, mar
81
buildings surrounding the grand stand.
Director-General George r. Davis pre-
sided, and as he arose to call the assem-
blage to order he was presented with a
gavel made from a piece of the famous
Washington elm at Cam bridge, Mass, by
Colonel Clarke of Milwaukee, Director
General Davis, in receiving the gavel,
spoke few appropriate words, and an
nounced that Rev. DR.. Burrows would
invoke the blessing.
At the conclusion of the prayer Vice
President Stevenson was introduced as
orator of the day. General Stevenson wss
greeted with great applause as he stepped
forward and began his address. He said:
Il am confident that at no time. nor
place, have human eyes beheld grander
~ v.
Under the auspices of the great exposi-
ton other days are set apart to COM
memorate events in history, but this day
comes unheralded by edict or proclama-
ton. Lips more eloquent than mine will
tell something of the men who gave to the
American Colonies this chart of their
liberties; something of the heroic strug-
gle which, commencing at Lexington,
eliminated at Yorktown in the indie
pendence of the colonies.
II congratulate you, my countrymen.
upon this auspicious Fourth of July, upon
the glorious past and upon what yet is no
longer an experiment. We have entered
upon the second century of our national
life. God grant we and those who sue
ceed us may not prove unmindful of the
sublime lessons OF the past. Then may
we rest assured the bright sun which
ushers in each succeeding anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence will
look down upon the people who celebrate
the day with hearts grateful to God that
those who guarded and strengthened it
are counted worthy to be named with
those who founded the Government"
Deafenlng applause greeted General