The Elbert County tribune., 1904-12-08
FAIR is CLOSED
END OF ST. LOUIS EXPOSITION

Great Enterprise in commemoration
Of the Louisiana Purchase Has
Been a Complete Success.
St. Louis. Dec. 2.-The Louisiana
Purchase Exposition has ended. 1t
passes into history as probably hay-
ing comprised the most representative
collection of the resources. Industries,
art. peoples ana customs Of the world
ever assembled.
From the inception of a project to
hold an exposition to fittingly COM
memorate the one hundredth annivers-
lary of the purchase of the Louisiana
territory until the portals were thrown
open and the world was invited to en-
ter, occupied seven years. The dura-
tion OF the Exposition has been seven
months end during that time nothing
has occurred to throw a dampening ef-
fect on the interest or to detract from
the Exposition in any way The best
OF order has been maintained through
out and no loss of life has occurred
during the Exposition from accidents.
The man probably most prominently
known connected with the Fair is
President Francis. and 1t was fitting
that the final day shoald be designated
as Francis Day" in his honor.
This Exposition has been the work
OF my life" said President Francis. ut
has consumed my entire time for the
past four years but every hour has
been an hour of pleasure to me-
The closing exercises were held at
the base of the Louisiana Purchase
monument in the plaza of st. Louis,
where were held seven months ago the
exercises that formally opened the
gates to the world. The opening day
the vast assemblage was buoyant in
spirit and filled with an unanimous de-
sire to give expression to good feeling;
yesterday depression prevailed gener-
ally because the conclusion was at
hand, and it was rather a mournful
assemblage that formed 4 solid pha-
lanx around the tall monument and
listened to the farewell addresses.
There was cheering, but it was not the
cheering of final leave taking, and not
the spontaneous outburst of enthusi-
asm
The principal speeches were made
by Governor Dockery of Missouri and
President Francis.
The introduction of President Fran
els was greeted with an ovation of
cheering. When quiet had been re-
stored, he said:
THE results OF this work cannot be
adequately measured by the beauty of
its landscapes, the grace and sym
metry Of its buildings, the comprehen-
siveness of its exhibits, the intelli-
gence of its congresses, the elegance
of its social features, nor by the ineff-
able pleasures conferred upon its pa
irons, but time will be required to
demonstrate that the thought and the
labor and the sacrifices that have en-
tered into 1t were not ill-advisedly be-
slowed.
Those who have been engaged in
the work will never cease to look back
to it with pride. All who have shared
In the spirit of the undertaking will
have had their views enlightened.
their tastes cultivated and their sym
pathles broadened. The millions of
visitors who have entered these gates
have by their presence encouraged
this band of workers and, let US hope.
have taken away pleasant recollectiors
Of their experiences.
THE distinguished guests we have
entertained have by thir words and en-
couragement and manifestations Of in
terest lightened our labors and melted
us to renewed efforts. All who have
come have contributed toward the con-
summation of an understanding upon
which this outpouring OF people at the
end of the task stamps the approval of
the people of st. Louis and of Missouri.
May this enterprise with which we
have been connected for nearly seven
years past bring into still closer broth
erhood all the nations and all the peo-
pies who have participated in it. May
it deepen our patriotism. May it
strengthen our love for benign Provi-
.dence that smiles upon us"