Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-12-07
THE EXPOSITION OPENED
Imposing Ceremonies Held at
Charleston,
PRESIDENT PRESSES BUTTON
South Carolina interstate and West Indian Fan
Formally Set IN Notion Dedicatory
Address by Senator Depew.
Held at
Address BY Senalor DepeM.


CHARLESTON, S. C., Dec. 3. With
imposing ceremonies, embracing a pa
rade of federal forces, state militia
and Confederate veterans, beautiful
women and cheering collegians, a pro-
gramme of exercises graced by distin-
guished speakers and with words of
greeting from the president of the
United States, the South Carolina In
terstate and West Indian exposition
was opened officially yesterday after
noon. The day was set aside as holt
day, and all places of business We're
closed.
In the auditorium at the exposition
grounds, where the exercises We're held,
an audience of 1900 people cheered the
name of the president of the United
States. gave hearty applause to Hon.
Chauncey NJ. Depew, the orator of the
day, listened attentively to the after
Moons exercises and then joined the
crowds inspecting the grounds and
marveled at the audacity of Charles
ton in undertaking an exposition OF
such magnitude.
About 800 people, including the gov
ernor of South Carolina and staff, the
officers of the exposition, the board of
lady managers and the city council of
Charleston, were on the stage of the
beautifully decorated auditorium when
the exercises began.
Senator Depew on entering was Civ
en- an ovation by the audience, the
cheering continuing for several min.
utes. After welcoming addresses by
f. w. WAGNER, president of the expo
sition company. and Governor NJ. b..
McSweeney Senator Depew was intro
duced by j. Adger Smyth, mayor of
Charleston.
The exposition on signal from the
White House, where President Roose-
welt touched key connecting with the
exposition, was declared OPEN Greet
ings were exchanged between Captain
WAGNER and President Roosevelt.
Captain Wagener's telegram in part
being as follows:
THE purpose of this exposition Is to
illustrate the marvellous industrial and
commercial development of the south
ern states during the last quarter of a
century and to contribute to the ex-
pansion of American commerce in 9th
err lands and among the islands of the
southern seas. The exposition Is in it
self a remarkable triumph of Ameri-
can genius and represents the highest
aspirations of our people. We are sure
that as the representative of the great
est nation ON earth you will rejoice
with us in the accomplishment of our
work. With one country. one aim, one
flag, one destiny, we invite you TO join
us in the determination that this great
Union of our fathers and ours shall
speedily attain the supremacy of the
world in commercial endeavor and In
the promotion of all the arts of peace.
The president in responding asked
Captain Wagner to please accept for
yourself and convey to your associates
my hearty congratulations upon what
has been achieved and my earnest
wishes for the complete success of
your undertaking. | hope it may
prove of great aud lasting benefit to
our industries and to our commerce
with the West Indies"
The fair, while not as large as other
expositions that have been given, is
an exhibition of much merit aud is al
ready an artistic success.