The Springfield herald., 1904-05-06

St. LOUIS, May limo LOUISIANA
Purchase Exposition was formally
opened yesterday afternoon. The in
augural exercises were simple and were
carried through without halt or delay
of any description.
The weather was without flaw. TIT
handling of the crowds, the guarding or
enclosures sacred to the participants
In the exercises, and the police work
generally could not have been bettered.
This work was in the hands OF officers
OF the regular army, who directed the
exposition guards in all their duties.
1t had been arranged that President
Roosevelt should press the button at
exactly ~ o'clock. but when that hour
arrived several of the addresses had
not been completed. At 1915, st. Louis
time, In order that his time might not
be encroached upon. the signal was
given to President Roosevelt that all
things were ready.
In few seconds came the answering
touch over the wire from the White
House. This officially opened the ex-
position, but it was determined to con-
clude the program. and the signal tor
the actual opening of the great cas-
cades was not given by Director oil
Works Taylor until 1904.
when President Francis of the exposi-
ton formally announced that the fair
was open to the world. He made the
declaration with laugh. for the bands
were playing, the crowds were cheer
ing and the people were scrambling
from their seats to watch the rise OF
the curtain on the drama with whose
prologue of several long years they
were all familiar.
St. Louis, May 1-Men who have
seen most of the expositions and have
seen the worlds shows of the last half
century declare without reservation
that no other universal exposition ever
opened under such auspicious circum-
stances or in such an advanced state oil
completion.
Promptly at the hour set, 9 o'colck,
the officers and directors of the exposi-
tion, members of the national commits
sion and of the board of lady managers
were gathered at the administration
building, where they were formed into
procession and marched to the plaza
of St Louis, in the center of the
grounds, where the formal exercises
OF the opening were conducted AS the
column from the administration build
Ing entered the plaza, a long line
formed of representatives OF foreign
governments which had assembled in
the hall of congresses. came pouring
Into the plaza from another avenue.
This column presented by far the gay
est appearance of the day. for the for
eigners made a prodigious display OF
gold lace and bright colors, in gilt
tering contrast to the black silk hats
and dark frock coats which were so
prominent among the officials and dig
nitaries of the exposition.
A third column came shortly after
ward, formed of representatives of the
state and territorial governments in
the union, who quickly took their
places at the base of the Louisiana
monument, where small stand had
been erected for the speakers and seats
provided for the listeners. The assem-
blage was called to order without de-
lay by President ID. r. Francis OF the
exposition who requested the audi
ence to rise while the Rev, Frank M.
Gunsaulus of Chicago delivered the in
vocation, which he concluded with the
Lords Prayer In which the audience
joined.
President Francis. as the chief execu-
tive of the exposition, then delivered
the following address,
This universal exposition was con-
ceived in sense of obligation on the
part of the people of the Louisiana
purchase to give expression to their
gratitude for the innumerable blessings
that have flowed from century OF
membership in the American Union, to
manifest their appreciation of the man
, ifold benefits of living in land whose
climate and soil and resources are un-
surpassed, and of having their lots cast
in an age when liberty and enllghten-
ment are established on foundations
broad and deep. and are the heritage
of all who worthily strive. TO rise
to the full measure of such sentiment
required an undertaking of compre-
hensive proportions, and the participa-
| ton of all races and of every cline.