Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-05-04

GATES OPEN
President Roosevelt Presses But
ton in Washington and the Ma.
chinery Starts in ST. Louis.
MOST IMPRESSIVE cEReMo".es.
Great list of Notables Participate
in the Opening Esereises-Presi-
dent Francis Speech.

st. Louis, April 30.-The Louisiana
Purchase exposition was formally
opened this afternoon. The inau-
gural exercises were simple and were
carried through without accident and
without halt or delay of any deserip-
ton. The weather was without a
flaw. The handling OF the crowds,
the guarding OF the Enclosures, sacred
to the participant In the exercises,
and the police work generally could
not have been bettered. This work
was in the hands of officers of the
regular army. who directed the expo
sition guards in their duties.
At 2:l5 o'clock the signal was Civ
en- to President Roosevelt that all
things were ready. In a few seconds
came the answering touch over the
wire from the White House. This
officially opened the exposition.
Promptly at the hour set the Off
GERS and directors of the exposition,
the members OF the national commits
sion and the board of lady managers
were gathered at the administration
building. where. as rapidly as posi-
BILE, they were formed into a process
sion and moved to the plaza OF st.
Louis. where the formal exercises
were conducted At the head of the
column was a detachment of guards.
Then came the st. Louis band. fol-
lowed by the Philippine scouts. an
imposing body of men, who marched
well. Behind them and leading the
officers and directors OF the exposi.
tion came Sousa's band. Following
the officers and managers were the
national commission and last of all
were the lady managers.
As the column from the admins
tration building entered the plaza a
long line was formed of representa-
tive foreigners.
This column was also headed by a
detachment of the Jefferson guards
followed by band. At the head of
the line, Immediately behind the mu'
sic, were the representatives of for.
eign nations, of credentials to the ex-
resentatives of governments having
ministers accredited to the United
States government and then a great
number OF other representatives OF
foreign governments and colonies, al
so in the same order. This column
presented by far the gayest appear
ance of the day, for the foreigners
made great display of gold lace and
glittering ornaments, in great con-
trast to the dark frocks which were
so prominent among the officers and
dignitaries of the exposition.
A third column, formed Of repre-
sentatives of the state and territorial
governments of the United States.
then came.
At the base of the Louisiana monu-
ment a small stand had been erected
for the speakers and seats provided
for the listeners. The assemblage was
called to order without delay by
President David r. Francis, of tie
exposition, who requested the multi
tude TO rise while Rev. F. G. Gunsau-
lus, of Chicago. delivered the invoca.
tion.
After the invocation President
David X. Francis of the exposition
delivered an address, in part as fol-
lows:
This universal exposition was
conceived In a sense OF obligation on
the part OF the people of the Louisl-
ana purchase to give expressions for
their gratitude for the innumerable
blessings that have flowed from a
century OF membership In the Ameri'
can union. to manifest their appre.
citation OF the manifold benefits OF
living in a land whose climate and
soil and resources are unsurpassed
and of having their lots cast In an
age when liberty and enlightenment
are established on foundations broad
and deepand are the heritage of all
who worthily strive.
ITO rise to the full measure OF
such a sentiment required an under
taking Of comprehensive proportions
and the participation OF all races and
OF every cline. The magnitude OF
the enterprise was never lost sight OF
by its promoters, but its mammoth
proportions, constantly increasing as
they developed, never for a moment
shook the confidence, weakened the
energies or diverted from their well
defined purposes those who had beer
entrusted with the responsibility
and the work.
To-day you see the consumation oI
their efforts. So thoroughly does Il
represent the worlds civilization
that II all mans other works we're b,
some unspeakable catastrophe blot
ted out, the records here established
by the assembled nations would af
ford all necessary standards for thu
rebuilding OF our entire civilization.
THE Louisiana Purchase Exposi
tion, held In commemoration Of thu
acquisition OF an empire by a dec
OF pen. salutes the representatives
executive and legislative, Of the fed
eral government and tenders mos
! profound thanks for the recognition
extended and assistance rendered. !
acknowledges obligations to state
and territories and foreign countrie
for cooperation and contribution. an
makes its obeisance 10 commission
| ers and exhibitors.
open, We gates
Swing wide. ye portals.
. Enter herein. ye sons of men. an
behold the achievements of you
: race. Learn the lesson here taugh
, and gathar from n Insniration for eff