Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-02
PORTLAND'S FAIR IS OPENED
Joyous E1uberanCe of People Marks the
Formal Exercises on the Grounds.
GREAT CROWD ATTENDS THE CEREMONY
Program of Parade, Prayer, Speeches,
Music and Artillery saIutes Pre-
cedes the signal from the
White House.

scene of festivity and splendor never
equalled in the Pacific northwest, with din
and clamor of cheering thousands, accom-
panied by the booming of artillery, the
Ginning of bells and the blaring of bands
Portland today made its greatest bow to
the world in the formal opening of the
Lewis and Clark Centennial exposition
The event took place under conditions
presaging complete success to this his
torical commemoration of the blazing trail
to "old oregon" by Captain Merriwether
Lewis and Captain William Clark, who,
commissioned by President Jefferson, ex-
plored the great oregon country 100 years
ago.
Todays celebration was participated in
by the president of the United States and
his personal representative, Charles w.
Fairbanks; representatives of the state
and of the house OF representatives of the
national congress, of the army and navy,
together with the governors and STATS Of
the states of California, Idaho, Washing
ton and Oregon and multitudes of people
from far and near.
Everything being in readiness, at Has
o'clock Vice President Fairbanks and party
emerged from the New York building re-
ceiving the vice presidential salute Of
eighteen guns. Thanked on either side by
line of troops, the party walked to the
speakers stand. Promptly at u o'clock
noon President II. w. Goode of the ex-
position arose and, gavel in hand, an
nounced the beginning of the ceremonies
which meant the realization of Portland s
dream. The announcement was received
with tremendous cheering, which echoed
back and forth.
Bishop Invokes Gods Blessing.
AS the echo died away Right Rev. David
H. Moore, bishop of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, stepping to the front of the
platform, raised his hands and invoked the
divine blessing. A perceptible stiffness pre-
vailed in the vast throng as the prayer
was spoken.
The silence which followed the prayer
was broken as the inspiring strains of
Imperial Oregon" a march composed by
lnnes and dedicated to the memory of Cap
tains Lewis and Clark and inscribed to the
people of Oregon, was played by the band.
While the last notes OF music were rever-
berated through the grounds and before
the great applause which greeted its rendi-
ton of the piece had subsided, President
l6.
appearance on the rostrum was the signal
for renewed cheering, which continued for
several minutes. Finally in response to
his appealing gestures, the president was
permitted to begin his address, welcoming
the people of the ''old Oregon" country and
the people of the United States as the
guests of the exposition.
Following President Goode Governor
George Chamberlain of the state of Ore
gon was introduced. Governor Chamber
lain, in short address, congratulated the
people of the state, the city of Portland
and the Lewis and Clark corporation upon
the achievements of an event so notable in
the history of the city and state.
Hon. Jefferson Myers. president of the
Lewis and Clark Centennial commission
for the state of Oregon, addressed the peo-
pie on behalf of the commission.
Perhaps the most enthusiastic applause
which greeted any of the notable speakers
was accorded Hon. George H. Williams,
the mayor of the city of Portland, whose
81 years of life have not sapped the vigor
of his youth nor detracted from his ability
as a public speaker.
At this period of the program the
steadily increasing enthusiasm of the null
titude found expression in a tremendous
ovation to Vice President Charles W. Fair
banks, the personal representative of the
president of the United States Through
his previous visits to this city, notably
during the national campaign, Mr.. Fair
banks became somewhat intimately known
to the people of the city and state. When
he was at last able to make himself heard
above the noise OF the greeting, he said:
Mr.; President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
ant Qn Nr1lN hna a1NEa 4
interest in the Lewis and Clark exposition
from Its inception, and ii is at his request
and on his behalf, | have the great honor
of participating with you in these opening
ceremonies.
We commemorate an important event IN
intrepid explorers who made their arduous Que
expedition up the Missouri, across the
Rocky mountains, down to the Pacific, and
parable opportunity. Their fame is secure
where the deeds of men of heroic mold are
ners of a nigh order OF civilization in a
territory which, prior to their venturesome
enterprise, enter was terra ipcognita. 1t was a
into which no white man had entered; ii
has become the seat of the empire-of vast
S0neTfiai %orE wii5 geDM P9MSr we look upon their
ful appreciation.
Signal from the President.
The presidential sa1upe OF twenty-one
guns was the signal TO the impatient
throng that the moment of the opening
Of the exposition was at hand On a
telegraph operator seated at an instrL-
ment in the Speakers stand the eyes of
the multitude were riveted, and, while the
guns were still booming, the movement
of his hand at the key was a SUFFICIENT
indication to the watchers that President
Roosevelt was being advised that all WAS
in readiness to receive the signal from the
White House which would formally open
the exposition.
Then followed wait OF several minutes,
marked by an impressive stiffness, during
which eye and ear were strained to catch