The St. Louis Republic., 1904-05-02
TRIUMPHANT INAUGURATION.

Both by what IL is and what IL represents. the
Thirtieth of April is the day greatest In importance
in the interiors history, and Saturday proveu u 'o
be the day of days in the experience Of st. Louis
For years we had been anticipating that day;
for the past year had let tile world KNOW our
eagerness for its coming. Then. with its near ap-
prOach came misgvines, for the April rains feii
copously and the prophets spoke OF clouds coming
from the Southwest. For two days preceding the
opening the weather became legitimate and all
absorbing topic of conversation. But the air cur
rents upset the calculations Of prophets. and TIE
sky smiled its blandest upon the tru:n2hal i'll
auguration OF our festival era IL was bracins.
tonic atmosphere and the beautiful portion of earth
allotted to the Worlds Fair and its guests lay
bathed in sunshine Trouble took furloush Satur-
day: it wss a holiday in homer OF good WILL The
largest assemblage of humanity in the citys his
tory and in the records of worlds fairs celebrated
the opening OF the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Ordinary terms inadequate 10 characterize
the impressive occasion. Comparisons fail. since
it so far eclpsed everything Of it's kind. II was
an occasion which belongs to-day, rs far surpass
ing other Worlds Fair openings the presen;
oudoes the past The first days tribute paid by
The people reflects the highest credit upon them
selves and "opens the balr' with splendid auspi-
cious enthusiasm. 1t exhibition of the cityis
pride and loyalty and appreciation OF The ExloSi-
tion endeavors: manifestation TO make men glad
they of ST. Louis. Ii could but thrill the
hearts of men who have watched and participated
in this citys growth and upbuilding to stand with
the multitudes which ranged over the great Plaza
Saturday and witness the elimination of our striv-
ing and achievement as symbolzei in the beautiful.
completed Worlds Fair city. The spirit Of thank
funess. OF exulration. visibly uppermos in the
countless multitude in attendance upon the opening
ceremonials. and. at the touch of the President
upon the gold key which set the wheels in motion.
sent thousands Of flags unfurling in the bright sun.
the Cascades TO rolling and musics golden tongue
TO flooding the air with melody. shout went to the
skies which seemed TO announce new spirit and
life for St Louis.
Two things especially were recognized by the
public Saturday. First. the Fair was seen to he
almost finished high state OF preparation had
been effected. Even in small and surprising de-
tails the buildings the grounds the appointments
generally were near completion. Guards in bright
uniforms many foreigners in typical costumes,
guides vendors. rolling chairs, numerous sodiery.
many bands of music including the great Sousas,
the Pike parade-al these co,orful features reD-
dered emphatic that 'cosmopolitanism" peculiar 10
a worlds far-a worid-event. The finish. the color
the tone, the atmosphere there.
Secondly, it amply demonstrated that trans
portation facilities were more than equal to the
burden. The street cars, running at intervals of
thirty seconds on lines approaching from every
direction, were not uncomfortahy crowded. The
people during most Of the day rode to the Fair sit
ting. not standing in aisles. There cars
enough and to spare. even the big arteria lines
The Wabash shuttle trains bore a large proper
tion of traffic Commodous trains Of seven. eight
ten dozen cars. following each other in rapid
succession. making the trip from Union Station in
twelve minutes. discharged their function adm
rably. There were crowds" Jams; the traffic
was easily accommodated This Wabash service
is manifestly capable OF handling three times the
number of Saturday. |
On the whole, st. Louis and the Fair directory |
may indulge every congratulation upon the expert
ence OF Saturday.