The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-07-12

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 it increased tenfold
as the vice president retired.
Then G. S. Pratt, of New York, came
to the edge of the platform and at
wave of his baton the chorus rose and
commenced the opening stanza of "Co-
lumbia the Gem of the Ocean" By
the time that the chorus was reached
the audience was wild with enthusiasm
and it Joined in the refrain with vim
and vigor, tens of thousands Of arms
waving the stars and stripes overhead.
1t was stirring spectacle, but it was
to be intensified later on. When the
singing had ceased 1t was the turn OF
Mayor Carter Harrison to speak in be-
half of the worlds fair city.
"The supreme moment is at hand"
said 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,
uprose and grasped the cord of the flag
pole.
"The moment is here" shouted the
mayor. A roar of cannon 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 drew
the jackson sword and brandishing 1t
over his head shouted above the roar OF
cheers: "Men and women of America.
Let every American swear at this mo-
ment and by this sword, that he stands
ready to draw his sword in the defense
of his country"
Forward to the stand, like the roar
Of tidal wave sweeping inland, came
the voices of tens of thousands of res
olute men, and the weaker voices Of
thousands Of the gentler seX-'yes,
yes; we swear, we swear" From the
balconies of the structures behind and
before, to the north and south, down
from the dome of the administration
building came like an echo the deep,
earnest roar: "Yes, yes, we swear, we
swear" still the mayor stood with
sword pointed toward the flag like
Ajax defying the lightning. The mo-
mcnt was dramatic, intense; one of
those moments that are experienced
but once in life time. There was not
man or woman in the vast throng
but at call from his country would
have marched at the moment to the de-
Tense of the flag. Then the scene
changed. With preliminary burst of
melody the combined bands commenced
the stirring strains of the Star Span
gled Banner" and the chorus followed
ip unison.
"Sing, sing, all sing" shouted Mayor
! Harrison, as the refrain was reached
and flags, hat and handkerchiefs were
waved. Never before, never again will
Jackson park resound with such a
burst Of song as came at the word Of
command: "And the star spangled
banner in triumph shall wave, o'er the
land of the free and the home of the
brave" Meanwhile, almost-unnoticed
amid the frenzy OF enthusiasm that
had seized upon the asscmblage, an
other interesting feature of the pro-
gramme had been in progress. Just as
the flag was hoisted Mrs. Madge Morris
Wagner, of San Diego, Cal, and then
Miss Minnie +. Miclsley, pressed the
electric button upon the presidents
table. The Western Union had con-
nected a wire from the stand TO the
foundry in Troy, n. V, where the new
liberty bell was recently east and inn
mediately thereafter the following
message was received:
ITO william o. Mcdowell, Chicago;
The Columbian Liberty bell was
sounded at the instant you closed the
circuit at noon of this grand lndepend
ence day, and this ringing was fol
lowed by the playing of national and
patriotic airs on the grand chime made
by us for st. Patricks cathedral, New
York City. Thousands upon thousands
OF patriotic citizens have called TO see
this historic bell, many coming long
distances. You can announce to the
two hundred and fifty thousand friends
who have made such splendid offerings
10 this bell, that their gifts have crys
tali2ed into grand form, and that the
new Liberty bell has been set ringing
to aid peace and good will throughout
the whole world. c. II. MENEELY."
The following poem is tribute t.
the sons and daughters of the American
revolution and the new Columbian lib
erty bell, composed by National Com
missioner Woodside, of Pennsylvania:
Hail. noble sons OF patriot band,
Who dwelt OF yore in this fair land
And heard their countrys call.
| Who pledged their lives in freedoms cause
Who framed our constitutional laws
In independence hall.
Hail, daughters OF those patriotic sires,
Whose brave example still inspires
Your present glorious plan;
To cast bell whose tongue shall ring
And to the breeze one anthem fling,
"The brotherhood OF man"
And on this glorious natal day,
The lightning shall It's tones convey
From Maine to Golden Gate.
Tho echoes Of its voice shall sound
Wherever patriot hearts are found,
Ineyery sovereign state
May this new Columbian bell.
With notes OF freedom proudly swell,
e. where'er that hag's unfurled'
May millions hear Its magic chime
In every land In every cline,
Around and round the world
May IL ring lordest on that day,
When women'a wrongs are cleared awny