The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-10
= ASHINGTON visitors to the
dedication exercises of the

ASFtlNGION VISITORS 10 the
NM dedication exercises Of the
Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
ton of 1904. at St Louis. have been
returning from the Mound City. in the
course of the week just passed, with
many interesting experiences to recount
to their friends at home The presence
as guests of the exposition Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and ex- President Cleve-
land. large number of officials from
the Government departments here, a
distinguished party of members Of the
Diplomatic Corps, an imposing array Of
military men and many members OF the
journalistic profession, representing
newspapers throughout the United
States and Europe. all combined TO
make the occasion one OF unprecedented
Importance for the great Missouri
metropolis on the Mississippi's western
bank
The thousands upon thousands Of
sightseers from all parts of the United
States who crowded into St Louis for
these exercises were but the vanguard
of the hosts expected next year when
the completed exposition opens its
gates and bids the world welcome.
So vast IS the scheme OF this univer-
sal exposition that all similar events
of the past seem almost insignificant in
comparison. The Worlds FaiE at Chi
cago, which was the most successful OF
recent undertakings of that sort. was
little more than half as large in the area
covered as has been planned for the
festal array Of the twentieth century 5
accomplishments.
To commemorate ftungly the centen-
NAL anniversary of the signing of the
treaty by which the great undeveloped
empire of the now Middle West was ac-
quired for this nation. plans were made
which, in the elaborateness of their
scope, were most noteworthy That
they were carried out with commendable
energy and an almost entire absence
OF friction IS a notable fact. And when
the Tastness of the undertaking is ap-
preciated, and the great food of sue
cess is measured in comparison with
the little rivuIet of oversights and mis-
takes, the hopes OF the exposiuon's Of
fetal promoters and unofficial we'll
wishers throughout the land seem like
~ to be well fulfilled when another
year has rolled around with the exposi-
ton plans unfolded in all their grand
reality
A National Undertaking.
The main fact upon which the exposi-
ton officials placed especial stress was
that the great show is a universal ex-
position" 10 which all the nations Of the
world are TO send exhibits and which will
be the success or failure. not only of the
city of St-Louis. but of the whole United
States. President David r. Francis, Of
the exposition company; President
Thomas Il. Carter, of the national com
mission; Mayor Rolla Wells, the dandy
mayor" OF the city, and all officials in
any capacity under them preached assid-
uously this gospel of nationalism as OPP
posed to proyinciaIism. And the good
impression was sent afloat that the St.
Louis Worlds Fair is to be great ma
tional. patriotic undertaking for the
glory of TIE American name and fame
t5Lt Inc average american tlilLtH, Tree
In thought and aggressive in action, is
enthusiastic about his political privi-
Ieges, and viii not be bound by precise
and arbitrary rules. laid down On such
occasions, either as matter Of propriety
or for some Interior effect. So il was not
surprising that there was an air of poll
ties pervading the very atmosphere Of
the exposition, and that The skeptical
man might assure himself there was
some basis for whatever he might choose
TO think.
Politics in the Air.
It was less than month previously
that the Garter Harrison incident
threatened for a time to mar the Presi-
dents visit 10 Chicago-nothing more
nor less than an alleged a amPt tc
inject politics into a visit entirely non
partisan in character, This time the
shoe was upon The other foot and elerc
seemed 10 be an ever present, cararlII,
suppressed apprehension lest something
might traaspirc 10 alter the oa.cia
plan Of national. non-partisan demon
stration AMI substitute some uncontrol
liable ourburst Of partisan boomers.
This Wss tendency which seemed -
saolder during The first Of rhe 6adi
cation day exercises. The grand review