Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-24
WORLDS FAIR DEDICATION.

st. Louis, April PA salute OF one
hundred guns will announce to the
world, at noon, April 80, the close of the
first century of an inland empire that
Napoleon sold for a song.
Seldom in the official life of a great
democratic nation will the pomp and
pagentry of monarchy have been so over
shadowed as at the dedication OF the
international exposition to commemorate
that event.
One of the most impressive military
spectacles of peaceful times will sweep
through the metropolis of the Louisiana
domain-a glittering display of arms
and men, at the zenith of the republic
power.
Kings, emperors and potentates send
their ambassadors to swell the homage
of this people to the genius that, by
bloodless conquest, gave to the country
territory onc-third the size OF all
Europe.
For the first time in the history OF the
government, the entire diplomatic corps
leaves the Capital on special train to
travel into the heart of the nation.
The presence of the President OF the
United States, his Cabinet, Congress and
the Supreme Court, at the head OF the
armed column, is intended to symbolic
government by the people and its
achievements.
Orders have been issued by the War
Department to mobolize in the vast
buildings of the Exposition, 1000 regu-
lars. The powerful monitor Arkansas is
ascending the historic river, once claim
ed by De Soto in the name of the Span
ish sovereign.
Governors of states are picking their
crack militia regiments fora brave show.
Ten thousand stalwart types OF the
volunteers of the future are Furnishing
their weapons for this day of dignitaries.
The Universal Exposition is the
mouthpiece of this vague unrest; Its
christening, with glory Of military pano-
ply, stately ceremony and reign of fire
by night, is the opening page OF the
fairy book.
That the national government might
be interpreted as stamping its approval
on an enterprise that has cost 1t more
than six millions of dollars, Major-Gen-
eral Corbin will marshal the parade from
its starting point in St. Louis to the
Dalaces of the Ivory City.
Estimates by the passenger depart
ments of 20 railways cOnverging at St
Louis, indicate the attendance at the
dedication of from $50, 600 to 800, OOC
visitors.
Arrangements for transporting the
500. 600 persons who are expected to view
the parade and the dedicatory review, on
the Exposition grounds, present 8
schedule of Is seconds between the de
livery of visitors at the gates OF the
Exposition. -, 9.
Three DAYS will be crowded with Incl
dent. National Day falls on April 30
when the President dedicatcs the World
Fair.
| Hon. T. H. Carter Of the World
Fair National Commission vii. be presl
dent of the day. Addresses will be made
bv President Francis of the exposition
President Roosevelt, former Presiden
] Cleveland and others.
International Day follows on May |
Addresses by the French and Spanlsl
ambassadors and a reception to the dip
lomatic corps are the features. Hon. J
H. Thurston, member of the World
Fair National Commission, will be presi
dent of the day.
State Day, May 2, concludes the cele
bration. Governor Benjamin b. Odell
of New York, and Governor A. NJ
Dockery, of Missouri, will make address
es: a great civic procession will move owe
the route of the military parade and tn
corner stones of State buildings will b
laid.
Hon. VIM. Lindsay, of the World
Fair National Commission, will be presi
dent of the day.
Dedication night and the evening o
May /, the Pains will monopOlize tn
heavens. Their display of pyrotechnics
under their contract with the exposition
calls for the explosion of $55, 900 il
burning powder. Leo Stevens, tn
Stanleys Of London, the Baldwin broth
ers will manipulate seven mammoth ga
balloons at great altitude, where tn
most startling fire works exhibition is t
be given. -,
The monitor Arkansas will anchor Of
the river front of st. Louis, April 26
living there until after the last day OF tn
dedication. The largest war vessel th9
ever ascended to the Worlds Fair cit
will be visited by thousands Of person
who have not seen one of the hghtln
ships.
At 10 o'clock the morning OF Dedlca
ton Day, the freedom of the city vii
be rendered to President Roosevelt b
Mayor Rolla Wells. The milltar
parade will be assembled under tn
: direction of Grand Marshal Corbin at tn
junction of Grand and Lindell Boult
wards and begin to march at 10:3C
' preceded by the President Of the Unite
States and the distinguished guests, i
= carriages.
( The route is two miles through Il
finest residence sections and Forest Pal