Evening journal., 1904-04-30

pressed the golden key. setting IN mo-
ton the machinery In tho various ex-
position buildings, while the assem-
bled thousands applauded and the
bands played America" st. Louis
passed the proudest moment in her his
tory.
Thousands Of workmen had labored
for weeks. night and day. to prepare
the grounds and buildings for the open
Ing. II was a stupendous task, and
how well II was accomplished is attest
ed by the fact that. while the installa-
ton Of exhibits is FAR from complete
and a few minor buildings remain un-
finished, yet as a whole the picture
presented to public gaze today was
we'll nigh perfect
Never In the city's history have such
throngs Of people swarmed within her
gates Long before the hour set for
the opening ceremonies the great tide
OF humanity began to set toward the
exposition grounds. II was a legal
holiday in the city by order Of Mayor
Wells. and, Judging by the heavily
loaded excursion trains that came
pouring in from nearly every city
within a radius OF 200 miles, it must
have been a general holiday far and
wide.
The opening exercises were held I'D
front of the Louisiana Purchase monu-
ment in the Plaza St Louis, which Is
at about the center Of the exposition
grounds. Early in the morning all the
high dignitaries OF the exposition met
at the Administrative building and
headed by bands, marched TO tho
plaza. Representatives OF foreign govs
ernments met at the Hall OF Con-
crosses at the same time, and their
parade TO the plaza was timed so as to
arrive at the same moment the exposi.
ton oncials marched in from the op'
posite direction. 1t the same time rep
resentatives OF state and territorial
governments entered the plaza from q
third avenue, having previously form.
ed at the United States building.
President Francis Address.
There was a band concert on the
plaza from to 10 a. m, at the close Of
which President David R. Francis OF
the Loulsiana Purchase company called
the nssemblage TO order. The Rev. +.
w. Gunsaulus OF Chicago offered an
invocation. This was followed by the
opening address by President Franclss
who spoke as follows:
A great thinker has said. This senti-
ment from which Il springs determines
the dignity Of any deed" This universal
/ In n ~ h.
/ legation on the part of the people OF the
Louisiana purchase 20 give expression to
their gratitude for the innumerable bless
ings that have flowed from a century OF
membership IN the American Union. to
/ manifest their appreciation OF the mani
fold benefits OF living IN a land whose
climate and soil and resources are un-
surpassed and Of having their lots cast In
| an age when liberty and enlightenment
are established on foundations broad ana
deep and are the heritage Of all who
| worthily strive. To rise TO the full meas
ure OF such a sentiment required an un-
dertaking OF comprehensive proportions
and the participation OF all races and OF
every cline.
Six years have passed since the concep-
ton began 20 assume form. The hrst
year was devoted TO arOusinE the interest
OF this community and securing the CO.
operation Of the states and territories OF
| the purchase. The next two years wero
spent in enlisting the sympathy OF other
sections OF our own country and In gain
ing the recognition and assistance Of the
general government Three years aeo the
g work OF preparation was begun. IL mas
I been vigorously prosecuted on every sec
ton OF the globe. The movement has en-
larged IN scope from day 20 day ana TAX
en- on more definite shape from year 70
wear Discorra gemcnts were frequent
enough. but were never disheartening and
are now an forgotten. We remember only
the words OF cheer and cornmendauon.
the patient consideration given 70 "nat
(Continued on Fifth Pare.)