The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-05-02
ton and with Mrs. Roosevelt was driv

ground between two lines of cheer
ing people.
The big grand stand was filled to
overfowing by the time the president
reached the center box. In the rows
were ambassadors and ministers for
foreign nations attended by their mil
itary and naval attaches. Large del
egations from the foreign and Amer
lean ships were banked on a solid
square just back of the president,
while to right and left were the gov
ernors Of many states, surrounded
by their stats and United States SEN
ators and representatives.
The formal procedure opened with
an overture by the bands" James
town Dixie, which was composed es-
pecially for the occasion-followcd
by selection by the exposition cho-
rus and prayer by the Right Rev. Al
fred Magill Randolph, bishop of the
diocese of Southern Virginia.
After the chorus had sung the Of
fetal opening hymn-a beautiful and
appropriate work by Wilberforce G.
Owstdt, President Tucker faced the
multitude. A spontaneous outburst
of cheering greeted him as a testi-
monial of approval by the magnif-
cent work that had been done in cele-
bration of one of the most important
events In the history of the nation
as well of Virginia. Mr.. Tucker s
address was of historical and a
chronological character and at its
conclusion he introduced President
Roosevelt.
1t was several minutes before Pres
ident Roosevelt could proceed with
his address. The people again and
again gave vent to their enthusiasm.
That he might be better seen and
heard he mounted table which rails
ed him high above the heads of his
audience. He was greatly concerned
by the danger in the crowd to women
and children. To discourage enthu-
siasm he said at the outset of his
address that he should ask the aud
ience"to make the speech as much
a monologue as possible" Speaking
directly to the crowd which stretched
across the parade grounds the pres
ident, at the top of his voice, earnest
ly requested that the people refrain
from crowding. He called attention
to the fact that there we're women
and children in front and said:
eff there is one thing that makes
a body of Americans, and especially
a body of Virginians, it is that they
take good care of women and chill
dren. -
This had the effect of stopping the
danger for time, but it was not long
before the peoples enthusiasm again
swept away all semb1ance of order
and Gen. Grant sent squad of caval-
ry out in the throng. This move, it
is believed, is all that saved the i'm
mense gathering from breaking
through the ropes and lines of guards
in which event there might have been
many casualties. A broiling sun pour
ed down on the distinguished guests
seated in the front row of the grand
stand and the president commanded
them to keep their hats on. Members
of the diplomatic corps, all uncovered
in the presence of the president, at
tracted his attention and singing out
the French ambassador he said:
"Put your hat on, Mr.. Jusserrand.
1 won't have you get sunstroke. =
AS the audience laughed the presi-
dent joined in and remarked that
he was obliged to take care of the hy-
gienic conditions.
The president S reference to his Wis
it to the foreign warships and the
American navy was turned in an I'M
promptu manner on the recent gath
ering in New York to discuss world
policies and to help up peace and
righteousness as virtues and blessings
that go hand in hand. He said that
if the time ever comes when the world
must choose between them, " shame to
it if it chooses peace" The thought
for this expression was accredited to
the bible which the president said con
tanned good deal of sound reading
that would not be out OF place In
peace conference. This sentiment was
cheered to the echo and the president
then took up his prepared address.
At the conclusion of his address
President Roosevelt pressed the gold
button which act marked the formal
opening of the commemorative enter
prise. Then followed an informal lun-
cheon to the president and forty other
guests in the administration building.
The repast ended, the president re-
paired again to the grand stand from
which he reviewed a parade of United
States soldiers and sailors. Seamen
from the visiting fleets were expected
to take part in the parade but the diff
iculty of landing on the uncomplesed
ground prevented. The parade was
quickly over and reception by the
president in the Auditorium brought
to close the events at the fair
grounds.
Admission to the reception was by