Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-02
A BRILLIANT ENDING
St. Louis Exposition Closed
 With Francis Day.
FAIR AIRPRESIDENTHONOREDBY BYTRRoNG

Speeches by Governor DOckery and Mayor WeIIs-Francfs and ThOmp- son Presented With sil- yer Service.
 ST. LOUIS, Dec. 2.-The Louisiana Purchase exposition has ended. The Stupendous and magnificent exposition whose tendrils of interest have extend. ed into every portion of the civilized world and even into aboriginal recess. es, bringing within the gates of St Louis millions of visitors from through. out the entire world, has run it's course and now passes into history as proba. Ibly having comprised the most repre- sentative collection of the resources, industries, art, peoples and customs of the world ever assembled. From the inception of project to hold an expo sition fttingly to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the pur- chase of the Louisiana territory until the portals were thrown open and the world was invited to enter and enjoy the completed exhibition of the worlds life occupied a period of seven years. The duration of the exposition has been seven months, and during that time nothing has occurred to throw a dampening effect on the interest or to detract from the exposition. in any way.
 The man probably most prominently known in connection with the worlds fair is the president, David R. Fran cis, and it was deemed fitting that the AT0 T cl1a h<d fad cis day in his honar
 "This exposition has been the work of my life,'' said President Francis. ''It has consumed my entire time for the past four years, but every hour has been an hour of pleasure to me. have exhausted my stock of adjectives in trying to describe this fair It is as difficult to do it justice as it is to paint the lily"
 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. On the opening day the vast assemblage was buoyant in spirit and filled with a unanimous desire to give expression to good feel ing; now depression prevails because of the conclusion at hand, and it was rather a mournful assemblage that formed solid phalanx around the tall monument and listened to the farewell addresses. There was cheering. but it was the cheering of final leave taking and not the spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm. The principal speeches delivered were by Governor Cookery of Missouri and President Francis Mayor Wells spoke briefly and intro duced Governor Dockery, who said in part:
 Tn bidding farewell to the worlds fair want to pay a tribute to the kindly feeling expressed toward this exposition by the president of the Unit ed States. In the execution of this ex- position we have been Americans and not partisans. We have united in do ing everything possible to contribute toward it's success, and the president has shown unqualified interest through out.
 T want to pay tribute to grand old Missouri. She has thrown open her arms in hospitality and extended welcome to the world I am proud of the fact that the brightest and most resplendent state given to the Union by Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana pur- chase was the state of Missouri. I 'tThe St. Louis exposition takes long stride toward the conquest of the seas, of which now warn the na- tions. We don't intend to send our warships, but we do intend to send our merchant ships, and we will contest on the seas for the trade of the world
 After the cheering following Presi- dent Francis speech had died away Festus J. Wade of St Louis, member of the board of directors, was intro duced and presented to President Francis beautiful silver service as token of esteem from the exposition management. A similar gift was pre- sented to Treasurer William H. Thompson.
 As the night drew on throngs concen- trated in the main avenues to view for the last time the magnificent electric illumination. One solid stream of hu- manity swept through the Pike from end to end The spirit of revelry was there. Never since the opening had more enlivenment been shown.
 Black Candidate.