The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-05-05
FAIR GATES OPENED
ST. Louis Exposition Starts
Off AuspiciousIy.
PRESIDENT TOUCHES KEY
Great Throne Witnessed Launching Of
Greatest Show on Earth.
Enthusiasm at Highest
Pitch.

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition
was formally opened at ST. Louis Sat
urday.
- President Roosevelt touched an cleo.
trio button in Washington at 1:04
o'clock p. m. AS he did so, the report
Of cannon was heard in the expo
sition city by the expectant multitude,
flags unfurled as if by magic, an ava
lanche of water poured down the cas-
cades, the great engines in the ma
chinery palace and power houses start
ed throbbing-and the great show was
open to the word. The opening cerel
monies were so simple and so plain
that they were in perfect harmony
with the methods OF President Fran
els and his efficient aids, but they
were at the same time very impress
sive, and made fitting prelude to-
one of the most memorable events in
American history. The dedication
ceremonies, year ago, were attended
; by a military pageant that was Sig
nifcant of the nations progress, and
after the baptism Of arms comes the
sweet presence of art and science,
and the formal opening Saturday was
marked by the absence Of soldiery In
uniform
Promptly at half past 10 the exer-
cises of the day began. There was lit
tie formality, hardly any display to-
attract the seekers Of the picturesque, .
and still the programme was carried
out amid surroundings and in 2ian-
ner in all ways appropriate. The GER
emonies were opened with an invoca-
tion by the Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus.
of Chicago The invocation was fol-
lowed by the rendering of "Amer:ca"
by the bands, and an address bv the
Hon. D. r. Francis, president OF the
exposition. President Francis was CIV
en- great ovation. q;
After several addresses by the heads
of various departments, Secretary OF
War Taft delivered the oration OF the
day.
AS Secretary Taft stepped forward
to deliver his speech the volume OF
applause shook the very armament,
and it was at once seen that the null
!! titude regarded the secretary OF war
as the central figure of the days ex-S
ercises. Secretary Taft's address vas
brief and very characteristic OF she
man, who is known to be as modest
as he is able.
When these formalieies were con-
cluded there came scene that was
notable for its intense imprsssiveness.
President Francis stepped to the front
of the stand and faced the multitude
It was a few minutes past the noon
hour, and these words cane from the
clearest of voices:
Ladies and Gentlemen: l will now
dictate telegram:
"To the President of the Uuited
States of America. Washington, D. c.: h
The representatives of the nations
send greetings, and request that you
put in motion the machinery Of the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition"
A few feet away sat the telegraph
operator who sent every word as it fell
from the lips Of the speaker.
After few moments of intense sus.
pense the report of cannon was'
heard, the people jumped, a2plauded.
shouted, frantically waved their hand
kerchiefs and gave every other indica-
ton Of rare delight.
The band played, every cne shook
hands with his ne;ghbor with the not
ables present, and fairly nobbed Pres.
ident Francis and the other officials
and directors who had made the scene
possible. Those who fingered about :
the speakers stand read the kilograms
OF congratulation exclaimed between
President Roosevelt and President
Francis. The majority Of the multi
tude, however. were up and gone,
eager to see what the great exposition Z
looked like now that it was really an
accomplished fact.