The Grit-advocate., 1904-12-02
SEEING THE FAIR
THEPREsIDENT HIGHLYpLEAsED
Exposition Exceeds His Fondest Ex-
peetations.-orderiy Crowds Give
President Roosevelt, His Wife and
Daughter the Right of Way.

ST. Louis, Nov. 27-Never have moro
perfect conditions prevailed since the
openin of the Worlds Fair than
those that marked yesterday, which
was devoted to a tour through the Ex-
position by President Roosevelt, ac-
companied by Mrs. Roosevelt, Miss AL
ice Roosevelt and members of the
Presidents party. 1t was strictly a
day of pleasure, with not the slightest
incident to mar the perfect enjoyment
of the occasion
- The sentiment seemed to be unan-
lous in the minds of the thousands of
Spectators that President Roosevelt
was the guest of each one and each
did his best to preserve order. The
consequence was that those in author
ity had only to designate their wishes
and instantly crowds parted. passage
ways were cleared and hindrances
quickly removed. that every moment of
the Presidents limited time might be
occupied in viewing the Exposition.
This is marvellous" he said. 1T is
beyond description and exceeds my
fondest expectations. | have had the
best time | ever had in my life, and I
have seen more than | ever expected
to see in one days time"
At the French pavilion the President
made a short speech in reply to an ad-
dress Of welcome by Commissioner
General Gerald.
At midday luncheon in the West pa.
vilion. President d. R. Francis offered
a toast 'in honor of one who exerts a
very potential influence over the pol
Icy and dc stiny of the country; the
lady who presides over the White
House. and Mrs. Roosevelt smilingly
bowed her appreciation.
A hurried visit was made to the ag
ricultural building. and thence to the
Roosevelt cabin, which sheltered the
President in former years on the
ranch. He evinced the greatest inter
est in the old log structure. and
pointed out to Mrs. Roosevelt and Miss
Alice a buffalo skin hanging within as
having come from the first buffalo he
had ever killed.
The rest of the day was spent in the
Philippine exposition reservation.
At the Lanao Moro village the ma
tives presented beaten silver dish and
"a set of silver bottles to the President,
'who in accepting said:
Il thank you very much for this gift.
My aim is to help you increase your
happiness and prosperity, and l am
very glad to meet you on this side Of
the water"
Passing into the Samal Moro village,
adjoining, the President was met by
Datto Facunda. who presented him
with big knife, saying through an
interpreter:
II give you my pira. which has been
my own individual weapon and with
which l have killed three enemies.
There will be no more fighting in my
country. and l will have no more use
for my pira. ! will give it to nobody
but you"
President Roosevelt accepted the
knife and expressed his thankfulness
that war was at an end and that the
disposal of weapons was emblematic OF
peace.
In the Visayan village the party was
entertained in the native theater by
dancing and singing.
After leaving the Philippine exhibit
the President and party were driven to
Machinery hail. and from there into
the Electricity building, from the ver-
anda of which they viewed the special
pyrotechnic display on Festival hill and
the illumination of the cascades with
red fire. The President was greatly
pleased with the beautiful effects pro-
duced by the vari-colored lights and
warmly expressed his appreciation.
At night the President was the
guest OF honor at banquet rendered in
the grounds by the Exposition manage
n1ent
The banquet was served in the main
dining hall of the Alps. at which 600
guests of prominence in the social.
business and political worlds sat down.
Among the guests, besides the Pres
ident and Mrs. Roosevelt and Miss
Alice Roosevelt, were the Duke and
Duchess of Manchester Mayor and
Mrs. Rolla Wells. Governor Dockery of
Missouri, Thomas H. Carter of Mon
tana Governor-elect Folk. Governor
Van SAINT of Minnesota, Robert McCor-
mick. ambassador to Russia Governor
and Mrs. Yates OF Illinois, and others.
AT the conclusion of the banquet Pres
ident Francis introduced President
Roosevelt as the typical American
who typifies the objects of American
principles"
President Roosevelt then made the
only speech of the evening. He said in
part:
Il count it indeed privilege to have
had a chance Of visiting this marvel
GUS Exposition. l cannot sufficiently
express my appreciation of its wonder
and its beauty. 1t Is in very fact, as
you. President Francis. have said, the
greatest Exposition of the kind that
we have ever seen in recorded history.
AS walked to-day through and among
the buildings and saw what they were
and what they contained. what they
signifed in the way of achievement at
home, what they signitied in the way of
achievement among these great and
friendly nations who are represented
here, | hau but one regret. and that
was a deep regret-the regret that
these could not be made permanent:
the regret that it is impossible to keep
these buildings as they are for our
children and our Childrens children.