Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-05-05
THE WORLDS FAIR.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Thrown Open to the World.
A HYMN SUNG BY A LARGE CHORUS.
After the Addresses tho signal Was Given
TO President Roosevelt 1t Washington
Who Touched Key and Cascades
Flowed and Banners Waved.

the great Louisiana Purchase exposi.
ton, upon which st. Louis has lavished
millions of money, to which her PEG
pie have devoted years Of their best
endeavors and for which they have Ia
bored with infinite patience and per-
sistence, was thrown open to the
world. All Of yesterday and all of last
night the people worked with desperate
energy to accomplish the thousand
and one things that always remain to
be done at the last moment. At the
exposition grounds 10000 men worked
all yesterday putting the final touches
upon the grounds, buildings. sidewalks,
cleaning buildings, removing scaffolds
and arranging the various exhibits.
In the downtown streets and resi-
dence districts the decorations are pro-
fuse and beautiful. The exercises
to-day were more serious than re-
splendent. There was comparatively
little Of the glittering pageant that
marked the dedication exercises a year
ago, but the ceremonies preceding the
formal opening were none the less in
teresting. At nine o'clock all the high
dignitaries Of the exposition met at the
administration building and, headed by
a basd, marched to the Plaza Of St
Louis in the center of the exposition
grounds. Representatives of foreign
governments met at the hall OF con-
crosses at the same hour and timed
their parade to the plaza so as to ar
rive at the same moment the exposi-
ton officials marched from the oppo-
site direction. At the same time rep
resentatives of state and territorial
governments entered the plaza from a
third avenue, having previously
formed at the United States building.
After the gathering had been form
ally called to order by President
Francis, Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus, Of
Chicago, delivered the invocation. At
the conclusion of the prayer, Director
of Works Isaac S, Taylor delivered the
keys of the buildings to President
Francis, who, in turn, transferred the
buildings to Frederick ]. v. Skiff, the
director Of exhibits.
The following hymn, written upon
invitation of the exposition manage.
ment, by Edmund Clarence Stedman.
was sung by a chorus Of 500 voices.
The music for the hymn was written,
also upon official invitation, by Prof.
John X. Paine, Of Harvard univer-
sity:
HYMN OF THE WEST.
o Thou, whose glorious orbs on high
Engird the earth with splendor round.
From out Thy secret place draw nigh
The courts and temples Of this ground;
Eternal Light.
Fill with Thy might
These domes that in Thy purpose grew,
And lift a nations heart anew!
Illumine Thou each pathway here,
To show the marvels God hath wrought
Since first Thy peoples chief and seer
Looked up with that prophetic thought,
Bade Time unroll
The fateful scroll,
And empire unto Freedom gave
From cloudland height to tropic wave.
Poured through the gateways of the north
Thy mighty rivers join their tide,
And on the wings of morn sent forth
Their mIsts the far-off peaks divide.
BY Thee unsealed,
The mountains yield ,.
Ores that the wealth Of Ophir shame,
And gems enwrought of seven-hued
flame.
Lo through what years the soil hath lain
At Thine own time to give Increase
The greater and the lesser grain,
The ripening boil, the myriad fleece!
Thy creatures Craze
Appointed ways:
League after league across the land
The ceaseless herds obey Thy hand.
Thou, whose high archways shine most
clear
Above the plenteous western plain,
Thine ancient tribes from round the |
sphere
To breathe its quickening air are fain;
And smiles the sun
To see made one
Their brood throughout Earth's green |
est space,
Land of the new and lordlier race!
Addresses were then made by the
following gentlemen: Mayor Wells, Of
st. Louis; Hon. Thomas T. Carter,
president of the national commission;
Senator H. E. Burnham, Of New
Hampshire. In behalf Of the United
States senate; Congressman James A.
Tawney, of Minnesota, for the national
house of representatives; Gen. Albino
R. Nuncio, of Mexico, In behalf Of the
foreign commissioners; E. H. Harri-
man, of New York. for the exhibitors.
The last speech Of the day was by Sec
rotary of War Taft and, at Its conclu-
sion, the signal was given TO Presi-
dent Roosevelt In the white house.
the golden key was pressed, the cas-
:ades sent down their foods, the thou
sands Of banners were unfurled and
The great Louisiana Purchase EXPOSE
lion was opened to the world.
Mlssouri's Secretary Of States Report
Jefferson City, Mo-, April 30.-Mr.
Cook, the secretary Of state, reports
having received and paid into the state
.reasurx taxes. and faas for the month
If April; yTz,ESbO, as follows: NO
arial commissions. $3.50; domestic cor
,oration tar, $3.50; miscellaneous fees.
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