The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-30
Gates Of Louisiana Purchase
Exposition Swing Outward.
Formal Exercises Take Place
on st. Louis Plaza.
SOusa's Band at Head Of Process
sion.
BIG CROWD PRESENT.
Half of City's Population Turn
ed Out at Opening.
Attendance Was as Large as on
Dedication Day.
Roosevelt Starts the Machinery
from the White House.
BIG CROWD PRESENT.

Worlds Fair Grounds. St. Louis, Mo-,
April 30.-At 2:04 this afternoon to the
tolling Of bells, amid the crash OF
bands, the sweeping chorus Of the
Star Spangled Banner" sung by a
thousand voices and the cheers Of the
greatest throng ever assembled in the
city of st. Louis, the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition was formally declared
open.
notwithstanding the ominous pre-
diction Of the government FORE
caster who prophesied rain for the
latter part of the day and lowering
skies for the morning, St. Louis put
forth her best and bravest front today
in honor of the opening of her great
exposition The morning was bright
and the most was made Of it.
The official hour for the commence
ment of the exercises was O'Clock. at
which time the officials of the exposi-
tion, members of the national commits
sion and the board of lady managers
were scheduled to meet at the admins
lraIlon building. Long before this
time the grounds We're filed with near
ly half the population of st. Louis and
the remainder apparently was thrOng-
ing to the exposition grounds. To the
many thousands Of the local population
were added many more who came in on
excursion trains last night and this
morning. Although no special effort
exposition to secure a large attendance
for the opening day. the crowd was
fully as large as that which filled the
grounds one year ago when the ex-
position buildings were dedicated with
so much pomp and ceremony.
Procession Formed.
Promptly at the hour set the Officers
and directors of the exposition. the
members of the national commission
and of the board Of lady managers
-H-msa
building where as rapidly as possible
they were formed into a procession and
marched to the plaza of St Louis in
the center of the grounds. where the
formal exercises of the opening were
conducted. At the head of the column
was a detachment of the Jefferson
guards who are to do police duty with
in the exposition while il continues
Then came the Philippine scouts band,
followed by the Philippine scouts, an
imposing body of men who Inarcneo
we'll Behind them and leading tne
officers and directors of the exposl-
ton. came Sousa's band
Following the officers and directors
were the members of the national COM
mission and last OF all the poard OF
lady managers, some of whom were on
foot while others preferred the more
luxurious method of riding in carriages
As the column from the administration
building entered the plaza long line
formed of representatives of foreign
governments, which has assembled IN
the hall Of congresses. came pouring
into the plaza from another avenue
This column was also headed by de-
tachment OF the Jefferson guards fol-
lowed by a band At the head OF the
line Immediately behind the music were
the members of the exposition COM
mittee on foreign relations, commits
sioners and representatives Of foreign
governments which have ambassadors
accredited to the United states, maren-
ing in the order of the presentation oL
/ credentials to the exposition Follow
ing these came Representatives Of goF-
ern1nents having ministers accredited
to the United States government an1
then a great number Of other represef-
tatives of foreign governments ana col
bnies in order Of presentation OF. their
i credentials to the exposition This coll
umn presented by far the gayest ap-
pearance of the day, Tor the foreigners
made a prodigal display Of gold lac5
and bright coloTs in glitterlng contrast
to the black silk hats and dark frocN
coats which were so prominent among
the officials and dignitaries Of the eX-
position.
A third column came shortly after
ward formed of representative of this
state and territorial governments In
the union. The participants in the ex-
position quickly took their places at
] the base Of the Louisiana monument
I where "A small stand had been erected
for the speakers and seats provided for
/ the listeners. The assemblage was call
ed 10 order without delay by President
, D.. TX
requested the audience to rise while
the Rev. Frank NJ. Gunsauluss Of Cili-
cago, delivered the. following invoca-
tion:
DIR. GmsauIus' Prayer
Almighty God, Author of all good-
ness in whose hand are all our times,
who art from all eternity unto all eter-
nifty we pause upon this glad and in
spring moment where an hundred re-
/ joicing years are met, and we Offer
Thee our praise and prayer We hutn-
| BILE ourselves and yet we e1ult in Thee
today as we implore Thy spirit divinely
to open the gates of this our festival
I and prosper it with holy guidance, re-
membering that ours is the unchanginE
God. We celebrate the significance OK
/ far-rea ching events; we shall, here.
day by day rehearse the story OF un-
/ counted TRANSFORMED ton o Thou eter-
nal Love and Light, stay us and guide
us-Thou who art the same yesterday
and forevert We know not the swift
ness of time or the startling movement
of events. while we pray for the lie
and good of the president Of these Uni
ted States and All others in authority
with him. We perceive not how weak
is man when we implore Thy blessing
upon the officers of this centennial cell