The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-01
,sually the case, the programme dragge,


usually the case. the programme dra gged
out beyond the limit.
It was arranged that President iRoose-
yelt should press the button a exactly
u o'clock. but when that hour arrived,
several OF the addresses had not peen
completed. At approximately 1915 *.
II ,ouis time. in order that his time may
not be encroached upon. the signal was
given to President Roosevelt that all
things we're ready. His response was
quick, and in q few seconds came the
answering touch over the wire from the
White House. This official opened the
Tcxpositon. but 1t was determined to con-
cIude the programme. and the signal lot
the actual opening for the unfurling OF
the flags and the ringing OF bells and
the operation Of great cascades was not
given by Director of Works Taylor until
t.N. 1t was several minutes later than
that when President Francis, Of the ex-
position, formally announced that the
fair was open to the world He made
the declaration with a laugh, for the
bands were playing. the crowds were
cheering and the people were rushing
from their seats to watch the rise OF the
curtain upon the drama with whose pro-
logue OF five long years they were all
familiar.
Large Crowd Present.
Although no special effort was made by
the management of the exposition to Sc
cure large attendance for the opening
day the crowd was fully as large as that
which filled me grounds one year ago
when the exposition buildings were ded-
icated with SO much pomp and cere-
mony.
Promptly at O'Clock the officers and
directors of the exposition, the menl-
bers OF the National Commission and OF
the board OF lady managers were gather
ed at the administration building. where
as rapidly as possible they were formed
into a procession and marched to the
plaza of St Louis in the center of the
grounds. where the formal exercises OF
the opening were conducted AT the head
OF the column was a detachment of the
Jefferson Guards. Then came the Phil
ippine scouts.
Exercises Are Held.
At the plaza the officials were met by
the representatives of foreign govern
ments in brilliant uniforms. The assem-
blage was called to order by President
D. r. Francis, Of the exposition. WHO re-
oucsted the audience to rise while the
delivered the invocation.
President Francis's Speech.
Or. Gunsaulus concluded his eloquent
invocation with the Lord $ frazer, IN
which the audience Joined. President
Francis. tho chief executive of the expo
sition. then delivered the following adj
dress:
"a great thinker has said, The senti-
ment from which it springs determines
tho dignity Of any deed This universal
exposition was conceived IN sense OF
obligation on tho part of the people OF
the Louisiana Purchase to give en-
preston to their gratitude for the In
Vulnerable blessings that have flowed
from century Of membership In the
American Union, to manifest their APP
probation OF the manifold benefits or
living in land whose climate and SOIL
and resources arc unsurpassed. and OF
having their lots cast In an age when
liberty and enlightenment are estab-
.lished on foundations broad and deep,
and are the heritage of all who worthily
strive To rise to the full measure Of
such sentiment required an undertake
Ing of comprehensive proportions, ana
the participation of all races and of every
cline.
"Six years have passed since the con-
ceptlon began to assume form, The first
year was devoted to arousing tho interest
OF this community and securing the co..
operation of the States and Territories
OF the purchase. The next two years
were spent In enlisting tho sympathy OF
other sections OF our own country and
In gaining the recognition and assistance
of tho general government, Three years
ago the work OF preparation was begun.
II has been vigorously prosecuted on
every section of the globe. The move
ment has enlarged in scope from day to
day and taken on more definite shape
from year to year. Discoura gemcnts
we're frequent enouglr,->but were never
dsheartening, and are now all forgotten.
We remember only tho words of cheer
and commentator, the patient considera-
ton given to what was often looked
upon as misdirected enthusiasm, but
which was persisted In and almost m
yariably converted indifference OF skeptl-
cism into helpful and active interest.
The magnitude of the enterprise was
never lost sight of by It's promoters,
hut It's mammoth proportions, constantly
increasing as they developed, never for
moment shook the confidence, weakened
| the energies, or diverted from their Well
| defined purposes those who had been
entrusted with the responsibility and the
work To-day you see the contamination
| OF their efforts
'",rhe sincere and helpful interest OF the
Federal government. the unanimous CO.
operation Of the States and Territories
and possessions of the United States, the
| participation Of almost every country