The herald., 1893-07-05
THE FOURTH At THE FAIR.
A Glorious Celebration of
independence Day.
Two 8undred and Fifty Thous.
and ParticiDan
Patriotic Incidents Hlst Nill aa
Inspire ION 70 tha Ages,
Viau-Efess sdu e1eur > o. l,r of
5he oey--Gln 5rsgirai q aloef
Ruu AloU rhs u Lah-
erty EsaU v,


Ru1 Alott Fhs u Lah-
erty BON va
BY Che Associated Press.
CHICAGO, July As 5ns world's iair
grounds the national holiday started ous
to chronicle tie largest attendance since
the opening OF the fair. The special
rates given by the railroads attracted
throngs OF visitors from the surrounding
states, and general cessation of busi-
ness in the city gave the Chicagoans an
opportunity to come out in full forcs.
The event of the day was the Fourth of
July Grafton by Vice-P President Steven
son. Applause such as can only be given
by $50, 900 people followed the vice-pres-
ident's address. There was also an in
spiring scene when "Old Glory" was
saluted and Director General Davis was
presented with a gavel made of the
famous Washington elm under which
the father of his country, over 100 years
ago, took command OF the continental
army.
Flags and bunting in great profusion
ings. There were l75 flags disposed
around the exterior of the California
building alone, besides etreamerH and
bunting inside.
CALIFORNIA SET THE PACE,
and there was an active rivalry between
the various states in the matter of ap-
propriate decorations. Washington,
whose certificate of statehood was only
signed four years ago soday, took special
pains to demonstrate 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 decorated with bunting from
top to bottom.
An immense crowd gathered at tle
Pennsylvania building, where the old
liberty bell Is kept. The bell was not
removed from the building during the
day, at tho request of Its owner, the city
of Philadelphia.
MOST DRAMATIC INCIDENT
took place at noon. Every flag sur
rounding the grand stand had up TO tliia
time been furled. At II O'Clock, the
second aignal was given. and Mrs.
Stafford, lineal descendant of Lieut..
hosted the original fag borne over 100
years ago at the masthead of Captain
Paul Jones' invincible cruiser. Instant
ly salvo of artillery announced that
high noon had arrived, and electric
sparks communicated at the instant
Mrs. Stafford hoisted the American
colors, caused all the surrounding flags
to be unfurled to the breeze. The same
electric agency communicated the signal
to cities hundreds of miles away, and it
is supposed thousands of American flags
throughout the country were unfurled
in unison at this noon. This interesting
incident was source OF great interest to
the crowd, who loudly applauded the old
Rhode Island lady as she hoisted- the
original .colors.
SCENES ON THE FAIR GROUNDS.
1t was fitting that the Fourth of July,
the natal day OF the nations indie.
pendence, should witness the largest at
tendance of the season at the worlds
Columbian exposition. Every railroad
running into Chicago gave special rate
todays and the closing of the CONNER
cial 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 quarter Of q mil
lion people.
The weather was alternately fair and
threalening, but after slight delay the
programme, which consumed little more
than an hour, was carried out from the
grand stand erected in front of the ter.
minal station. The surrounding space
was packed with humanity before the
commencement of the exercises.
Every patriotic sentiment of the ora
tors was cheereu, and the enthusiasm
OF the assemblage was an inspiration to
| the speakers. Most of the visitors
came fortified with lunch baskets, and
when the lunch hour arrived, the green
swafd was dotted with thousands of
people partaking of their midday re-
| pssts.
THE COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES
began at IL O'Clock. They opened with
music from chorus of nearly 1000
Yoicea marshalled in the balconies of
| the various buildings surrounding the
/ grand stand. Director-General George
| X. Davis presided, and aB he arose to
Gall the assemb!ege to order, he was
presented gayel made from piece ct
4 The famous Washington elm at Csns-
| bridge, Mass, by Colonel CLARK of Mi'
waukee. Director General Davis in rs
eeiying the gayel spoke few appropri-
ate words and announced that Rev. DR..
Burrows would invoke blessing. Atthe
conclusion of the prayer, Vice-President
Stevenson was introduced.
THE ORATOR OF THE DAY.
General Stevenson was greeted with
great applause as he stepped i5Yward
and began his address. He saidi
sI am confident that at no time nor
place nave human eyes beheld grander
assernblage. This is Americas day.
Under the auspices of the great exposi-
tion, other days have been set apart to
commemorate events in history, but
this day comes unherelded by edict OF
proclamation. 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 struggle which, commencing
| in Lexington, eliminated at Yorktown.