The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-05-05

st. Louis, April 3O.-The buildings of
the Louisiana Purchase exposition were
formally dedicated today 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 fiercely from the west.
sending great clouds of dust whirling
into the faces of the troops as they
marched past the president, and at
times SO nearly binding the president
that it was well nigh impossible for
him to see across the street upon which
the troops were marching.
Added to the discomfort of the wind
and dust was the temperature which
Sought for the marrow and generally
reached it. The ladies, who, on the
strength of the warm weather of yes
terday, came in summer dresses to the
reviewing stand, suffered keenly and
but for the thoughtfulness of officers
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 ex-Presi
dent Cleveland remained in the review
ing stand until the end of the parade.
although their faces were blue and their
limbs stiffened by the cold.
Despite this heavy handicap, hOWev-
er, the ceremoni-s proper were splen-
didly handled arI the programme was
carried out to tie letter.
The parade, .shich took place In the
morning was -OmeWhat longer in pass
ing the president than had been expect
ed, but he vas fifteen minutes behind
the schedule, time when he was escort
ed by the committee in the Liberal
Arts building. He was compelled to
take his .-OOn day meal under some
what ~ comfortable circumstances.
During the lunch the food was placed
on re- angular counter, and the pres
ident, Ike everybody else, helped him
self" The crowd inside the tent was
dense when the president, with the Sc
cret service men and Adjutant General
COrbin acting as interference forced
his way to the counter. He was so
closely pressed that when he attempted
TO move his arm his elbow disturbed a
cup of coffee held by General CorbiH
, With some difficulty the officers forced
the crowd to allow the distinguished
guest elbow room, but they would al
low him nothing more. This maneuvre
forced the adjutant general out of the
range of the sandwiches but the presi-
dent devoted one hand to passing food
rA hi- IL
voted to his own advantage. Owing to
his advantageous position the president
soon felt called upon to help out his
friends, and he was kept busy passing
plates, which service he performed with
alacrity and cheerfulness
The important ceremonies in the Lib
eral Arts building were handled with
all possible dispatch Early in the ex-
ercises word was brought to Senator
Carter, the president of the day that
some portions of the hall were being
dangerously congested, and he was
asked to avoid delays as near as possi-
BILE. He did SO and from first to last
the events on the programme sue
ceeded each other rapidly. OF all the
speakers, President Roosevelt alone
was able to make his voice carry furth-
er than fifty 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 muff1ed roar that would have baff1ed
a fog horn.
When the president rose to speak he
was cheered to the echo. He bowed
again and again, suggested by his man.
that quiet be restored. Finally he
mounted the broad railing in front of
the rostrum where he could be seen
from every part of the hall and again
mOtioned for silence.
There was everything but silence and
President Francis suggested that he
proceed with his speech and quiet would
follow President Roosevelt laughed
and shook his head. Taking advantage
Of the lull, he called, Now you, my
fellow citizens, give me all the chance
you can, for l need it
The chance was given and the Presi-
dent began his address. \ burst of ap-
plause greeted mis- statement that the
Dutch had done great things for the
country in its infancy and the president
laughed in a manner which plainly
said: THAT means my ancestors"
Another outburst of applause. which
was long continued after ne had spoken
about fifteen minutes. caused him TO
laugh and remark to President Francis.