The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-30

Wnlcn present tresLOulSlana Purchase EX-
| position to the world, were performed in
the Liberal Arts building to-day with ali
| the dignity and splendor befitting such an
occasion. Fully 10000 people crowded
| into the big auditorium where, in the
presence Of official representa- tives Of all
| the civilized nations of the world, the
words of dedication were spoken by the
president Of the United States. AS the
last syllable fell from the speakers lips
| and the dedication Of one of the world s
greatest fairs was completed, 10000 voices
rose in a prodigious note of applause
! President Roosevelt, ex : President
Cleveland and an imposing company OF
| d1plomatists, governors, senators, con-
gressional representatives, government
officials and representatives of the ex-
position came direct to the Liberal Arts
building from the lunch which was served
them in tents on the grounds.
President Roosevelt, Former President
Cleveland, President Francis OF the expo
sition company, President Carter Of the
worlds fair commission members of the
cabinet and the supreme court took seats
in the center Of the platform. At the
presidents right sat the visiting diplo-
matists. a distinguished looking contin-
gent which attracted much attention.. In
this section also were other distinguished
foreigners and representatives Of the state
department at Washington headed by
the left OF the president sat the joint dele
cation of senators and representatives
representing congress, the foreign COM
missioner to the fair, and General Miles,
Adjutant General Corbin and General John
G. Bates with many other scarcely less
distinguished guests.
The two front sections of the auditorium
proper were occupied by the governors
of states and their staffs, the national
worlds fair commissioners. the United
States government board, United States
senator's and congressman who were not
members of congressional joint delega-
tfons and other notable guests. Across
the aisles was brilliantly gowned ass
semblage OF women, including the wives
and guests of the men connected with the
ceremonies and the board OF lady man
ayers. - A : ~ 5Ssz :, ss3 ss.s
Il Back of these rose tier on tier OF the
thousands commonly spoken OF as the
general public. - Thuse In the rear Of
this contingent had difficulty In hearing
the speakers, for the hall is a long one,
and the niles of bunting and, flags, ex-
hibittng the mingled sco1ors of Spain,
France and the United States, impaired
the acoustic properties of the building.
Although many could not hear, all could
see, and the rear guard cheered the ap-
pearance of the speakers as heartily as the
more fortunate ones did their words.
Elephants in the ceremony were Cardinal
Gibbons Bishops E. r. Kendrick and
Henry c. Potter, Former President Cleve-
land, Thomas Fl. Carter; president Of the
day, and David r. Francis.
At the conclusion of the speeches to-
day, being the one hundredth anniversary
Of the signing Of the treaty which trans
France to the United States, a centen-
nial salute Of 100 aerial guns was fired.
The weather was the only disappointing
factor of the day. The troops mobilized
early in a sprinkle of rain and marched in
temperature close to the freezing point.
For a few moments snow fell, but only
enough Of it to give visible evidence Of
the temperature.
In the grand stand men in their heavy
overcoats shivered, while women, garbed
In elegant but inadequate laces, suffered
severely. It was all taken good naturedly,
however. Mrs. Odell, wife of the gov
ernor, Of New York, Mrs. James l.. Blair,
president Of the board of lady managers
and a number of others found relief in
thick army blankets furnished by Captain
Larimore Of the First Missouri. The sup
ply was soon exhausted and the attentive
captain was left disconsolate with a score
Of unfulflled orders for a time.
Later a fresh supply was secured and
the brilliant array of gowns which had
the ladies, took on the appearance of an
encampment Of Indians in December.
Hot Drinks Served.
Back of the stand was tent where,
among other things, it was possible to
secure hot coffee and chocolate. Gentle
men dressed in the height of fashion were
kept busy. for two hours, carrying liquid
relief to the suffering ones exposed. to the
weather.
From 10: o'clock to 1886, when the
president arrived, the crowd sat shiver-
ing but good humored. They seemed to
forget all about the cold when Roosevelt,
bowling from side to side, put in an APP
pearance.
A number of members Of the diplomatic |
corps and few senators found them
selves without seats when they arrived.
The crowd having discovered water in |
the seats Of most Of the chairs in that |
part of the stand, left uncovered, cheer
fully appropriated some Of the dry ones |
reserved for distinguished guests.
Elaborate precautions to guard the !
president were made. The grand stand
was surrounded by soldiers of Company
c. First Missouri, who stood at short In |
tervals around a space two hundred feet |
from the Stand. AS an extra precaution /
q fence Of strong rope was placed around |
the stand. No one who could not show |
credentials was allowed inside. /
A Having secured seats many Of the vis- i
TORS. including Mr.. Cleveland found that /
they could keep warmer by standing and |
discarded their chairs. They stood with \
their hands plunged in their pockets and
their chins sunk under their collars while. /
the parade was passing.