The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-05-07
ROOSEVELT SPEAKS.
A Fierce Wind Prevailed and the
Cold Was Severe.
MEMORABLE OCCASION INST. LOUIS
Roosevelt the Only One Whose Voice
Could De Heard Fifty Feet From
the Rostrum.

IL.
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
were formally dedicated Thursday,
with all pomp and ceremony. In every
way. save one, the exercises were a
success. and this one circumstance was
the weather. The wind blew fiercly
from the west, sending great CLOUDS
of dust wh;rling into the faces CT the
trooDs as they marched past the Presi-
dent, and at times so nearly DllndlnS
the President that it was we'll nlSh
impossible for him to see across the
street upon which the troops were
marching. Added to the discomfort OF
the wind and dust was tenerature
which sought for the marrow and gen.
orally reached it. The ladies. who, on
the strength Of the warm weathe: yes
terdGy, came in summer dresses 10 me
reviewing stand, suffered keenly. ana
but for the thoughtfu!ness OF of1lcers
commanding the guard thrown around
the reviewing stand, who provided
them with blankets, many OF them
would have been compelled to leave
The place. Both President Roosevelt
and Ez-President Cleveland remained
' in the stand exposed to the raw wind
until the end of the parade. although
their faces were blue and their limbs
stifiened by the cold. Despite this
heavy handicap, however, the ceremo-
Ries proper were splendidly handled
and the programme was carried out TO
the letter TIE paraue, which took place
in the morning, was somewhat longer
in passing the President than had been
expected. and he was fifteen minutes
behind the sceduled time wnen he was
escorted by the committee into the
Liberal Arts building. In order to ar
rive even as early as that. he was
compelled to take his MONDAY meal
under somewhat uncomfortable circum-
stances. During the luncheon The food
was placed on a rectangular counter
and the President, like everybody else,
-heloed himself" The crowd inside the
tent was dense when the President,
with Secretary Wilson and others, en-
tered He WAS so closely pressed that
when i:c attempted to move his am
his e!iuv disturbed cup of coffee held
by General Corbin. With some diff
Guilty the Officers forced the crowd TO
, allow the distinguished guest elbow
room, but they would allow him moth
ing more. This maaoeuvTe forced the
adjutaat general oUt of the range Of
the sandwiches. bit the President de-
voted one hand 10 passing food to his
escort. while the other was devoted to
his own advantage. Owing to his ad-
vantageous position the President soon
felt called upon to help passing plates
which service he performed with alac-
rity and cheerfulness. The important
ceremonies in the Liberal ArlS building
patch. Early in the exercises word was
brought to Senator Carter, the Presi-
dent OF the day, that some portions Of
the hall were being dangerouly con-
gested, and he was asked to avoid de-
lays as far as possible. He did so. and
from the first to last the events on
the programme succeeded each other
rapidly. OF all the speakers. President
Roosevelt alone was able to make his
voice carry further than so feet from
the stage. By far the largest part of
the assembly could hear nothing. and
thousands Of people in the rear part
of the hall were constantly moving
about and producing a muffled roar
that would have baffied fog horn.
When the President rose to speak
he was cheered to the echo. He bowed
again and again. and suggested by his
manner that quiet be restored. Finally
he mounted the board railing in front
OF the restrum, where he could be seen
from every part of the hall. and again
noticned for silence There was every
thing but silence. and President Fran
els suggested that he proceed with his
speech and quiet would follow. Presi-
dent Roosevelt laughed and shook his
head. Taking advantage of the lull he
called, Now you, my fellow-citizeas,
give me all the chance you can, for
need IL" The chance was given and
he began his address A burst of ap-
plause greeted his statement tina: the
Dutch had done great things TO. the
country in its infancy. and the Presi-
dent laughed IN manner which plain
ly said: THAT means my ancestors. :"
Another outburst of applause, which
was long continued after he mad soo-
ken about Is minutes, caused him to
laugh and remark to President Fran
els. Now they think I'm DONE" and
when the applause died away he went
on with his speech.