The Holly chieftain., 1904-05-06
GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION

The magnitude of the enterprise was
never lost sight of by its promoters,
but its mammoth proportions, con-
stantly increasing as they developed,
never for moment shook the conf
dence, weakened the energies, or di-
verted from their well-defined purposes
those who had been entrusted with the
responsibility and the work. To-day
you see the consummation of their eff
forts.
so thoroughly does it represent the
worlds civilization that if all mans
other works were by some unspeakable
catastrophe blotted out, the records
here established by the assembled ma
tions would afford all necessary stand
ards for the rebuilding of our entire
civilization.
''The Louisiana Exposition. held in
cOmmemmoration of the acquisition of
an empire by a deed of the pen, salutes
| the representatives, executive and leg
islative, of the federal government and
tenders most profound thanks for the
recognition extended and assistance
rendered. 1t acknowledges obligations
| to state and territories and foreign
countries for cooperation and contri-
button and makes its obeisance to COM
missioners and exhibitors.
open, ye gates. Swing wide, ye por-
tails. Enter herein ye sons of men, and
behold the. achievements of your race.
Learn the lesson here taught and
gather from it inspiration for Still
greater accomplishments"
Isaac S. Taylor, director of works,
,, the keys of the exposition and pre-
sented diplomas of merit to the chiefs
of his staff.
After the rendition of the march,
Louisiana, by Sousa's Band, Presi-
| dent Francis transferred the exposition
| buildings to Frederick j. V. Skiff, dl-
rector of exhibits, the performance be-
| ing emblematic of the fact that build
| ings had been erected by the men in
charge of that portion of the work and
were now ready and waiting for the in
stalation of the exhibits through Mr..
Skffs department.
The grand chorus, Hymn of the
| West" was then sung by choir led by
Alfred Ernst The music of the hymn
was by John Knowles Paine, and its
words were written by Edmund Clar-
ence Stedman:
OFFICIAL. MEMORIAL HYMN.
| 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 life 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,
| nd pirn n F'rapInJn
From cloudland height to tropic wave.
Poured through the gateways of the
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-hned name.
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
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 Earths greatest
Land Of the new and lordlier race!
Mayor Wells of st. Louis welcomed
the world on behalf of St. Louis,
Thomas H. Carter, president of the
national commission, spoke for that
body, Senator Burnham of New Hamp-
shire and Congressman Tawney of
Minnesota spoke for the congressional
delegation. E. H. Hartman express
ed the sentiments of the domestic and
Michael La Crane, commissioner gen
eral of France, those of the foreign
exhibitors.
The chorus of America" was then
sung and Hon. William r. Taft, secre-
tary of war, acting as the representa-
tive of President Roosevelt, delivered
the last address Of the day, in which
| he said: