River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-05-05
KEYS TO THE FAIR
ARE DELIVERED
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSE
TON rs OPENED.
IMMENSE, CROWD ATTENDS
The Ceremonies, Which Were impress
sive, Briefly Described-Presi-
dent Roosevelt Sends His
Congratulations.


Purchase Exposition was opened to the
world Saturday, and has been acclaimed
with one great voice by 237, 1888 persons
the greatest, the grandest and the most
beautiful that the world has ever built.
The main picture of the exposition was
complete to-day, and when the thousand
and ten flags broke out on the exhibit
palaces, the crystal waters gushed from
the cascades and fountains, and the
chimes in the Government building to
the left of Art Hill announced to the null
titude that their dream was accom-
plished, there was not in the great multi
tude a critical eye or tongue; only won
der, admiration and gratitude un-
bounded
A Break in the Plan.
President Roosevelt touched the but
ton. releasing the machinery, the flags
and the water in the cascades at the ex-
position just one hour before the time
when the worlds fair was really opened.
Technically, the president opened the
exposition with the magic key in the
white house In reality he had nothing
20 do with it. When the president, tired
of waiting for the ceremonies at the ex-
position to conclude ard eager to get
away to fill other important engage
ments, flashed over the wires the signal
that was to start the machinery and set
In motion the beautiful cascades, Secre-
tary Taft had not yet been introduced
to the assembled multitudes. The pres
ident, therefore, had not yet been repre-
sented in the opening ceremonies. Pres
ident Francis, therefore, ignored Pres
ident Roosevelt's signal till Secretary
Taft had concluded his address Then
the real signal was given, and the nagS
broke out, the water began to leap down
the cascades. and the first hum OF the
machinery in the Palace of Machineries
was heard
Ceremonies Begin.
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 were
gathered at the Administration 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.
AS the column from the Administra-
ton building entered the plaza, a long
line. formed of representatives Of for
eign governments, which had assembled
In the Hall of Congresses, came pouring
into the plaza from another avenue.
A third column came shortly afterward
formed of representatives of the states
and territorial governments in the
union.
The participants in the exercises
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 lis
teners. The assemblage was called to
order without delay by President d. R.
Francis, of the exposition, who request
ed the audience to rise while Rev. Frank
M. Gunsaulus, of Chicago, delivered the
vocation.
DR.. Gunsaulus concluded his eloquent
invocation with the Lords Prayer, in
which the audience Joined. President
Francis, as the chief executive of the ex-
position, then delivered his address.
Keys Presented to Francis.
At the conclusion of his address Presi-
dent Francis recognized William Fl.
Thompson, of the committee on grounds
dent Francis Isaac S. Taylor, the direc-
| tor of the works. Mr.. Taylor delivered
to President Francis the keys of the eX-
position and presented diplomas of mer-
it to the chiefs of his staff
After the rendition OF the march
Louisiana" by Sousa's band, Presi-
dent Francis transferred the exposition
buildings to Frederick J. v Skiff. the di-
rector of exhibits, the performance be-
ing emblematic of the facts that the
buildings had been erected by the men
in charge of that portion of the work
and were now ready and waiting for the
installation of the exhibits through Mr.
Skiff's department. Mr. Skiff made a
short address.
Sing Flynn of the West"
The grand chorus, Hymn of the
West" was then sung by choir led by
Alfred Ernst The music Of the hymn
was by John Knowles Payne, and it's
words were written by Edmund Clarence
Stedman. The words of the hymn are
as follows:
Q, Thou whose glorious orbs on high
Engird the Earth with spIendor round,
From out Thy secret place draw nigh
The courts and temples of this ground;
Eternal Light,
Fill with Thy might
These domes that in Thy purpose grew,
/ And lift a nations heart anew!
| fllumne Thou each pathway here,
| To show the marvels God hath wrought
| Since first Thy peoples chief and seer
| Looked up with that prophetic thought,
Babe Time unroll
The fateful scroll,
And empire unto Freedom gave
From cloudland height to tropic wave.
| Poured through the gateways of the North
| Thy mighty rivers join their tide,
/ And on the wings OF morn sent forth
Their mists the far-off peaks divide
BY Thee unsealed,
The mountains yield
| Ores that the wealth of Ophir shame
| And gems enwrought of seven-hued flame.
| Lo, through what years the sol. hath lain
! At Thine own time to give Increase
| The greater and the lesser grain,
The ripening boil. the myriad fleece!
Thy creatures Craze
Appointed ways;
| League after league across the land
| The eeaseless herds obey Thy hand
Thou, whose high archways shine most
clear