Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-30
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Dedication Day at St. Louis.

st. Louis, April 30.-The day set for
the formal dedication of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition dawned threaten
ingly. Heavy clouds were banked up
high and the weather from the summer
like temperature of Wednesday suddenly
became cold. Later the sun came out
and fairly pleasant weather prevailed.
The city was astir early. Regiments of in
fantry headed by bands, marched through
l)ng lines of spectators to the point Of
rendezvous. Now and then the CHATTER
of horses hoofs or the rumble of wheels
told of the approach Of cavalry or heavy
artillery. Uniformed men were every
where. Every road running into st.
Louis had been pouring special after
special train loads of people into the
city and at 10 a. m. it was estimated
that 200, 900 strangers were guests OF
st. Louis to witness the dedications OF
what promises to be the greatest EXPOSE
ton ever attempted.
President Roosevelt and ex-President
Cleveland were driven to the st. Louis
Club at $50 a. m. with a troop of the
Eighth Cavalry for an escort The dip
lomatic corps had preceded him only a
few moments. The corps, attired in
brilliant uniforms and wearing the deco
rations of their countries made an impos-
ing group. As soon as the President ar
rived he was introduced to the exposition
officials and Mayor Wells rendered him the
freedom of the city. President Roosevelt
responded informally. A moment later he
was escorted to his carriage. Gen. Cor
bin and his aides had been busy with
the big parade formation for over an
hour and the moment the last diplomatic
had entered his carriage, cannon
doomed, and the big procession started
Behind the guests rode the governors OF
States with their uniformed stats. At
the head of the military parade was Gen.
Corbin and his staff of rs aides. The
regular army had the first division, COM
manded by Maj. Gen. Bates. Instead
of the familiar blue the men of the Sixth
Infantry were CARRIED in the new olive
green uniform recently adopted. Fol
lowing them came regiments of cavalry
and artillery until the thousands of men
ordered for parade were marching down
the Boulevard. On the column moved
the rhythmic tramp of thousands OF feet
upon the pavement, the crash of mill
tary bands, the futtering of flags,
the glistening of the sun on the polished
rifle barrels making the scene a magnifi-
cent one. The militia division was next.
Almost every State in the Union was
represented in this division. From
Grand avenue to Forest Park, the site
of the fair, is three miles. When the
President and other guests reached the
fair grounds the cannon doomed the
presidential salute, and the party enter
ed the reviewing stand. For two hours
they watched the brilliant spectacle pass
in review, and when the last soldier had
gone they were escorted to the Admins
tration building, where luncheon was
served.
Meanwhile thousands of people had
surged into the grounds and gathered
around the liberal arts buildings in
which the dedication services were held.
The great mass of scafolding outsidt
gave the huge structure an unfinished
appearance. But when the big doors
swung in at l.. 80 p. M, beautiful sigh
met the gaze. The interior was com
pleted the exposition colors, red, white,
blue and yellow, hanging gracefully
about the pillows and ceiling Promptly
at 2 D. m. President Francis led Carolina
Gibbons to the rostrum, his eminenc'
clothed in his robe of Office making al
imposing picture. AS he raised his hanC
in benediction not sound was heard, a
ina clear soft voice he prayed.
President Francis introduced Senator
Thomas H. Carter, President of the
National Commission, as Chairman of thu
day, who made fitting address. Thii
was followed by Beethoven's creation
Hymn rendered by trained chorus o
2, 500 voices. Then President Francis
stepped to the front and facing Presiden
Roosevelt, presented the buildings to thu
United States in a short and appropriate
speech.
After Francis short speech President
Roosevelt turned to the assembly and
began his speech, at the conclusion o.
which the chorus sang Gounods Gun
fold, We Portals" and Chairman Carter
introduced Mr.. Cleveland. When the
applause that greeted Cleveland:
speech had died away the chorus began
"America." The Marine band took uE
the refrain. The entire assemblagt
arose. 'BIy Country, Tis' Of Thee,
the voices of the chorus rang through
the arches of the Colossal building
Other features Of the programme were
carried out.
1t was Bishop R. E. Hendrix, o
Mo-, offered the closing prayer. A mo
ment later Bishop Henry Potter of New
York, was pronouncing the benediction
The centennial salute of one hundred
guns doomed out and the first day of thu
exposition dedication ceremony was over
|
| ExnIoaion In Powder Works.