New-York tribune., 1903-05-01
DEDICATTON Il SUCCESS.
The Parade and the Exercises in the
Liberal 4rts Building.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

St. Louis, April 30--Starting with gIittering
and imposing military display, followed by i'm
pressive dedicatory exercises and closing with a
display of fireworks, the first of the three days
of the dedlca tion ceremonies of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition a great success. The
weather was and cold. the buildings were in
a crude and unfinished condition. and the trans
portation facilities were inadequate, but despite
all this it was day of enthusiasm and display
There were possibly not more than twenty
thousand strangers in the city, aside from the
official representatives of the United States and
various State and foreign governments, and the
troops. President Roosevelt, ex-President
Cleveland. Cardinal Gibbons. Bishop Potter and
the governors Of a score of States took part
in the cerenanes.
There were about fifteen thousand troops IN
the line of parade. Adjutant General Corbin.
an imposing military figure. created great deal
of interest as grand marshal The troops were
the pick of the regulars and the State militia
Governor Odell rode at the head of the New
York troops 1t was remarked everywhere that
New-Yorz had the finest body of State troops in
the parade, and there cheering from start
to finish for Governor Odell and his splendid
escort
The police arrangements were inadequate.
President Roosevelt. arriving at the review
ing stand, literally had to fight his way through
the crowd to the reviewing box. All through
the ceremony he was jostled and crowded by
an eager mob which seemed to be unrestricted.
After the parade he and his little handful OF an
escort had TO push their way through the crowd
the Liberal Arts Building, where the dedi-
catory ceremonies were held. In that building
no pathway had been cleared for him, and he
pushed, crowded and elbowed his way to the
platform. Many people commented on this ana
wondered why the President of the United
States was subjected to danger and annoyance
ing were impressive. David r. Francis intro
duced Thomas II. Carter as president of the
day, and the invocation was delivered by Car
dinal Gibbons, who, in his rich robes and red
cap made a striking picture Before the cere-
monies began ne Chatted genially with Bishop
Potter, while President Roosevelt and ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland carried on animated conversa-
ton. When President Roosevelt was intro
duced he was greeted by a roof-hfting cheer
from the throats of the eighteen thousand per-
sons ga athered in the enormous hall So large
was the building and great the crowd that
only a few could hear him, while in the far
background many could hardly him. Re
on the regular platform. sprang nimbly on
the desk where the gaveI rested. From this
elevation he began his speech amid uproar!ous
approval of this attempt TO give every one a
chance TO see him He closed amid tnunders
of applause which more personal compn-
ment than approval of his speech. for the noise
and disorder great that less than
third of those IN the hall distinctly heard a
word he said. Ex-President Cleveland was
thusia sticalIv welcomed and cheered to the echo
as he concluded. Bishop Potter pronounced the
benediction.
The fireworks display tonight was gorgeous
and fully thirty thousand people witnessed it.