Mexico Missouri message., 1903-05-07
Dedication Day at 81. Louis
The Great Military Parade, FOLLOWED BY Impressive
Ceremonies in Liberal yqrts Palace, is
Witnessed by Thousands.

catory exercises were held.
Long before the time set for the ar
rival Of the President the vast hall
began to I'll with people Among
the first arrivals was the grand chorus
of $500 singers. led by Wells band.
They filed into the building and took
seats on the extreme right Of the hall
in an amphitheater erected for them.
Awaiting the arrival Of the dis
tinguished party, the band entertained
the crowd which was rapidly filing
the building, with several selections.
The building was lavishly decorated.
Over the speakers platform were
life-sized pictures of Thomas Jeffer-
son on the right and Napoleon Bona
Darte on the left. The stars and
stripes were draped around the hall,
and from every pillar and niche float
ed bunting and the flags of all ma
lions. Every precaution had been
taken to arrange the seating facilities
Of the building, and the guards and
ushers were so well trained that not
single hitch occurred in the whole
proceedings.
Shortly after the arrival of Cardi-
nal Gibbons and Bishop Potter came
the members of the diplomatic corps.
Conspicuous among them was the
Chinese minister, wearing Oriental
costume and queue, which presented a
striking contrast to the Occidental
costumes of his fellows Of the diplo-
matte corps.
Soon afterWard came eX-President
OF the United States Grover Cleve-
land. Mr.. Cleveland received an ova-
ton from the audience.
All at once the audience arose as
one man and deafening cheers echoed
through the great building. 1t required
no effort of the imagination to divine
the cause. Some one had seen Presi.
dent Roosevelt.
Cheers rent the air. Hats and
handkerchief we're waved, flags were
nuttered, the band played and the
vast audience arose as the President
and his party walked down the
length of the big building and ascend
ed the speakers platform.
When the President reached the
platform he was warmly greeted by ally
who could get near enough to him.
Even the Washington newspaper cor
respondents, who are familiar with
the President and his every look and
action, arose in a body and cheered
the chief executive.
/ Every one wanted to see the Presi-
dent The calls for him were so in
sistent that time after time he arose
and smiled his famous smile Finally
order was restored. Then Mr.. Francis
introduced ex-senator Carter, chair
man of the day.
Mr.. Carter presented Cardinal Glib
bons, who invoked divine blessing
The crowd out of the building, away
from the sound of the prelate's voice.
evidently mistook the prayer for a
speech, and heartily applauded.
When the President was introduced
he at once made good" with the
crowd. His first act was to mount
the table in full view of the audience.
Then he smiled. AS his white teeth
flashed, burst of sunlight, which was
the first of the day, broke into the
building, and the crowd set up yell.
Some away back in the audience
shouted. TEDDY always brings sum
shine" The President bowed a smil-
ing acknowledgment of the compli-
ment.
Suddenly a hush fell upon the vast
audience. Director of Music Markham
had arose in his seat on the speakers
platform and waved a signal to the
chorus Of $500 singers They arose,
and, led by Wells band. the impress
siye notes of the Creation Hymn"
were filling every niche and corner of
the immense building and holding the
vast audience in a hushed silence.
AS the echo of the last note died
away a burst of applause greeted the
singers, who arose and bowed acknow-
ledgment.
During the course of President
Roosevelts speech many in the audi
ence, who were too far back to hear
what he was saying became restless,
and some stood up in the chairs Presl-
dent Roosevelt raised his hand to in.
yoke silence, and said: give me all
the chance you can, fer | need it. II
you will sit down, those back of you
can see better, and win finish soon
er." Then he smiled at the crowd
His offhand way Of calling the vast
crowd to order seemed to greatly
astonish the foreign diplomats, and
many smiles we're exchanged between
them when they saw how quickly the
President stopped the restlessness Of
the crowd.
Following the speeches, the grand
chorus gave concert. It was one Of
the most impressive features Of the
programme
/ NhfllINm... Iass.alH taHIs..