The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-04-30

President Appealed to Chivairy
TO Check Surging Crowd.
SOLDIERS TO The RESCUE

Mr. Roosevelt Jumped On Shaky Table
at jamestown Exposition to Save
Women and Children In Crush to
Hear Him Speak.
Norfolk. Va. April q. 49, President
Roosevelt. the diplomatic. naval and
military representatives Of 81 of the
nations OF the world and the governors
OF score OF states participated in the
opening exercises Of the JamestoWn
TerCentcnnial Exposition. While the
exposition. which is to remain open
until November 30 next, is still far
from complete. the unfinished condi-
ton of buildings and grounds was not
allowed TO Interfere in any way with
the celebration Of the 300th anniver-
sary OF the first English settlement In
America.
Not the least impressive incidents OF
the days events was the quick action
OF the president in assuming command
OF the situation in front OF the crowded
erandstand from which he spoke when
panic seized the surging throng OF
spectators Pressed against the guard
ropes bv thousands of eager persons
in the rear OF the gathering who were
forcing their way forward. the safety
OF life and limb Of those who had The
more favored positions were endon-
eered. President Roosevelt had Ju [
been introduced by Harry St George
Tucker. the head OF the jamestown
Exposition company. when the disorder
and unrest i'm the crowd reached it's
height and the civil guards in front of
the grandstand seemed about TO be
swept from their posts. With the
agility OF schoolb0y the president
jumped upon the table which had been
placed in the speakers balcony and.
waving his arms, cried out TO the men
of Virginia to live mp to their tradi
tons of gallantry and cease the push
ing and crowding which was threat
ching the lives of the women and chill
dren in the assembage. throng which
all but blocked the big grass-coYered
plaza known as Lees parade.
The crowd needed the presidents
warning at first. but when he had set
lied down into his speech and the
words were fairly blown from his
mouth by the southeasterly gale which
was sweeping the great parade. the
immense audience became uneasy
again and those on the outskirts began
20 press forward once more in their
anxiety to catch the words which were
being borne away in the clustering
summer wind The president was IN
torrupted and mohnted officers and
men of the United States cavalry were
called in 20 take charge. They rode up
AMI down along the front of the crowd
and gradually opened 1t up and re-
lieved the pressure. which at one time
threatened 10 hurl an avalanche OF
humanity against the presidents stand
and the boxes occupied by the distin-
euished members of the diplomatic
corps A detachment OF artillerymen
on foot also was called into service
and the thousands who came to see
and hear the president at last settled
down into a peaceful assemblage.
Apparently oblivlous to the unusual
position he occupied on the top OF a
somewhat shalIy table. not more than
two feet wide and not more than twice
that in length. President Roosevelt
made his speech on this impromptu
and unsteady platform. II did not in
terfere in the slightest degree with the
characteristic vigor OF his delivery.
Some OF his remarks-nOticeably when
he touched upon the subject of the re-
cent peace congress in New York
were addressed to the representatives
of the many nations of the world 9th
ers we're emphasized to the soldiers
and sailors who took such a conspicu-
Gus part in the days proceedings. and
other thoughts to which he gave utter
ance were directed toward the general
public. There were constant outbursts
Of applause and cheering. Especially
when reference was made to the gal
lantrv of the men who fought In the
Civil War-beneath the banners OF the
north or the cross-barred flag OF the
Confederacy-was the cheering and
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