The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-05-07
CEREMONIES OF FAIR
They Were Inaugurated by Grand
hi itary Parade.
CORBIN IN COMMAND.
The Soldiers in the Line of March
Were Composed of Members Of
the National Guard, Also
Regular Troops.

St. Louis, May 1.-The rites which
presented the Louisiana Purchase ex-
position to the world were performed
in Liberal Arts building Thursday with
all the dignity and splendor banttinS
such an occasion. the parade oil II 600
soldiers down Lindell boulevard to the
Worlds fair grounds forming a bril-
liant prelude to the ceremony o. dedi-
cation.
Sixty thousand people crowded into
the big auditorium. where, il the pres
ence of official representatives Of all
civilized nations of the word. the
words of dedication were spoken BY the
president of the United States AS tho
last syllable fell from the sOeaker {
lips. and the dedication of one o. tn J
world S greatest fairs was ,omYiAted
10000 voices rose in a prodigious note
of applause.
President Roosevelt. Ex-President
Cleveland and an imposing company OF
diplomatists. governors, senators. con,
gressional representatives government
officials and repTese natives Of the eX-
position came to the Liberal Arts
building from functions which were
served in tents on the grounds,
President Roosevelt, former PTcs!-
dent Cleveland, Presluent Francis OF
the Exposition company, President
Carter OF the Worlds fair commission.
members of the cabinet and supreme
court. took seats in the center of the
platform, At the presidents right sat
the visiting diplomatists, a distinguish
ed looking contingent. In this section
also were other distinguished foreign
ers and representatives of the state de-
partment at WasAin gton. To the LETT
of the president sat joint delegations OF
senators and representatives represent
ing congress, foreign commissioners tC
the fair and General Miles, General
Corbin and General John G.. Bates
witt many others scarcely less distin-
guished. s -
Two front sections of the audito-
rum proper were occupied by govern
ors of states and their stats, National
Worlds fair representatives. United
States senators and congressman who
were not members of the congressional
joint delegation, and other notable
guests Across the aisles was a bril-
liantly goWned assemblage of women
including wives of guests of men con.
nected with the ceremonies and the
boara of lady managers, Back of these
rose tier on tier of thousands common
ly spoken of as the general public.
Those in the rear of this contingent
had difficulty in hearing the speeches
for the hall is long one and miles OF
bunting and flags, .-------.ing the min.
gled colors of Spain, France anu the
United States, impaired the acoustic
properties of the building.
Although many could not hear all
could see, and the rear guard cheered
the appearance of the speakers as
heartily as the more. fortunate ones
did their words
Besides President Roosevelt, other
participants in the ceremony were Car
dinal Gibbons, Bishops E. B. Hendrix
and Henry G. Potter. former President
Cleveland Thomas Fl. Carter. president
of the day. and David r. Francis
At the conclusion of the speeches,
and it being the one hundreul1 ami
versary of the signing of the treaty
which transferred the Louisiana pur.
chase from France to the United States,
a centennial salute of Ito aerial gunz
was fired.
The great military parade, which
was designed to be distinctiveIy a
show spectacle of the dedication Ger.
emonies, was held in the morning, and
4, oil
could wish. and all that the regular ar
my officers who controlled it could
hope for There has been many mil
itary parades that revealed more men
in line; there may have been some
that were as gorgeous to look upon.
but it is doubtful if there has ever
been any that were more carefully
handled or more superbiy managed
than this one.
a heavy rain, which fell at 8 O'Clock
in the morning. disposed of the heavy
dust, and, save the. one feature of a
high wind, all thugs were favorable to-
the success of the parade
The sight of marching thousands
from the point orcupied by President
Rooseyelt's reviewing stand was in.
spring For half mile to the left
and for an equal distance to the right.
the winding column was in complete
view. The president watched the
march pass him with eager attention.
Although Adjutant General Henry c..
Corbin was grand marshal, the active
work of organizing the columns and
managing parade was done by Briga
der General John A. Johnston. Of the
United States army. and Lieutenant
Colonel e. A Goodwin. Ninth United
States cavalry There were Il, 900 men
ia line-31o0 regular and 1900 Of the
National Guard
Dynamite Bomb Exp1odes.
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