Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-21
THE GREAT EXPOSITION
FORMALLY DEDICATED,
THRONG MADE POSSIBLE A
GRAND DEMONSTRATION.
VICE PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
THE GUEST OF HONOR AND THE
PRINCIPAL SPEAKER AT THE
OBLIGATORY EXERCISES.

BUFFALO, N. Y, May 20.-In the
presence of a vast concourse of people
with ceremonial both conventional and
novel, the Pan American exposition was
dedicated formally to-day. The day
was fair and tonight the Industrious
energetic men who planned this great
enterprise. rejoice in 1attering success.
The day began with a parade in which
there were men from nearly every
country in the world and ended with
an aerial bombardment from flying
bombs and a brilliant electrical illum-
ination.
Between the two were the formal ex-
~ercises of the dedication with oratory
that took it's theme from the lesson of
the time, prayer for right music, song
and poetry. The city was bright in
dress of flags and bunting, the exposi-
ton group is brilliant in color, the
moving crowds were in holiday garb
and the whole effect was highly pleas
ing. The record of attendance for to-
day was fully up to the expectations of
the most enthusiastic. There was no
complaint over delayed exhibits for
there were spectacular things enough
to weary the most ardent sight-seer by
the coming of night. The procession
fhof fNrponI or TIM Cifu uon md
marched by way of the main thorough
fares to the exposition grounds was an
interesting spectacle and thousands Of
people lined the route.
Vice President Roosevelt was the
guest of honor and when he reached
the hall the parade was started with a
volIey of aerial bombs. Two thous-
and troops who got their time from
four bands led the way, and after them
were a hundred carriages with the Of
ficials and guests. Behind them came
the concessionaires from the Midway.
Western Indians mingled with the chill
dren of the tropics, the Orient and the
Mediterranean and gave the process
sion its truest touch of color. They
were in native costume, had a score or
artistic floats and Is bands furnished
them music. The entry Of the process
sion to the exposition grounds at noon
was a magnificent spectacle. The crowd
in the grounds at the. time numbered
fully 10000 and the greater part OF 1t
was massed in the esplanade.
President Milburn, of the exposition,
and Vice President Roosevelt led the
way and the crowd cheered them as
they advanced. A hundred yards from
the temple of music they halted and at
the other end of the esplanade several
thousand carrier pigeons were sudden
ly released. Confused at first by their
own numbers they circulated low in
upwards on graceful wing. High up
where they got their bearings, they
parted and took flight to every quarter
of the compass. Below, the crowd look
ed on in silent admiration. The Vice
President and party then filed on into
the temple of music and the parade re-
forming, marched on through the
grounds.
The formal dedicatory ceremonies in
the presence of a crowd limited only by
the size of the hall, were impressive.
There we're strong words for closer
union among the American republics
and the remarks of Vice President
Roosevelt on that point and the con-
gratulatory kilograms from the Presi-
dents of the American republics excit-
ed the greatest enthusiasm.
To-day's total admissions from 8 a. m.
until II p. M, were 101 ,6S7. This does not
include several thousand persons who
in through the Lincoln Park way en-
trance with the parade.