The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-05-01
GREAT ENTHUSIASM
Continued from First page.


Der Of other distinguished visitors
mounted the reviewing stand to find
that there were no chairs for them. 1t
developed that the chairs had been
cheerfuliy appropriated by unofficial
guests who had arrived earlier ON the
scene. With some difficulty other
chairs were secured, but they were lit
tie used, as the visitors found they
could keep off the chill more effective
ly by standing.
OF all the speakers, President Roose-
welt alone was sblo to make his voice
carry further than fifty feet from the
stage. By far the largest part Of the
assembly could hear nothing, and il
was nearly freezing to death. Thous-
ands of people in the rear part Of the
hall were constantly moving about,
and producing a mufiled roar that
would have bsffied foPhorn.
When the president rose to speak he
was cheered to the echo. He bowed
again and again, suggesting by his
manner that quiet be restored. Finsa-
ly he mounted the broad railing in
front Of the rostum where he could be
seen from every part Of the hall and
again mofioped for silence. There
was everything but silence, and Presi-
dent Francis suggested that he pro-
coed with his speech and quiet would
follow. The president laughed and
shook his head. Taking advantage Of
q lull, he called, Now, my fellow
citizens. give me sll the chance you
can for need IT..
The chance was given and the pres
ident began his address. A burst OF
applause greeted his statement that
the Dutch had done great things for
the country in its infancy and the
president laughed in q manner which
plainly said, "That means my anoes-
tors"
During the speeches Of President
Francis and Senator Carter there were
brief intervals of sunshine and the
crowd oheered loudly as the brightness
came. Once while waiting for sp-
plause, that had greeted portion Of
his speech, to subside, the president
turned to President Francis and Sens-
tor Carter, saying,s he alluded to the
applause, THAT was due to the sun. "
Many thousand people were crowd
ed into the big auditorium, where in
the presence of official representatives
Of all the civilized nations of the
world the words of dedication were
spoken by the president Of the United
States. As the last syllable fell from
the speakers lips and the dedication
of one of the world s greatest fairs was
completed, a multitude Of voices rose
in prodigious note of applause.
President Roosevelt, former Presi-
dent Cleveland, President Francis of
the Exposition company, President
Carter of the worlds fair commission,
members Of the cabinet and the SUI
preme court, took seats in the center
Of the platform. At the presidents
right sat the visiting diplomatists, q
distinguished looking contingent. In
this section also were other distiu-
guished foreigners and representatives
of the state department at Washington
To the left of the president sat the
joint delegation of senators and repre-
sentatives representing congress, the
foreign commissioners TO the fair and
General Miles, General Corbin and
General Jonn o. Bates. with many
others scarcely less distinguished.
Besides President Roosevelt, other
participants in the ceremony were Car
dinal Gibbons, Bishops E. r. Hendrix
and Henry O. Potter, former President
Cleveland, Senator Thomas H. Carter,
president Of the day, and David r.
Francis.
At 2:25 the assembly was called to
order by President Francis. The noise
was so great that his voice could not
be heard twenty feet from the rostrum
He introduced Cardinal Gibbons, who
delivered the invocation.
Following the invocation of the car
dinal, United States Senator Thomas
H. Carter, Of the national committee,