The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-04-28
JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION
TercentenniaI Celebration Was
Duly Inaugurated.
PRESIDENT STARTS IT OFF
Thousands of Voices Cheer the Chief
Magistrate as He Touches the Gold
Button Setting In Motion Machinery
and Other Features,

Norfolk, Va. April 27.-The James
town tercentennial exposition. land
and water display, such as never was
attempted in this country or on for
eign shores, opened Friday with the
pomp AMI ceremony which always at
tend an event where the president
of the United States is the central
figure and diplomatic representatives
of foreign nations. governors of states
and like dignitaries are honored guests
and participants
incident to the opening, President
Roosevelt reviewed from the deck Of
the MayflOwer. the war vessels an
chOred in Hampton Roads. He reach
ed Discovery Landing. having been
transferred in naval launch from the
yacht, shortly before noon, and amid
applause from thousands gathered to
voice their welcome he was received
by the exposition management Then
followed the programme for the open.
Ing to the public of the enterprise
concentrating the three hundredth
anniversary of the first English set
telment in America, which programme
included an address by Harry ST
George Tucker. president of the ex.
position and one by President Roose-
welt; singing by an exposition chorus
of $500 trained voices. pressing of the
gold button by President Roosevelt.
which marked the formal opening, and
a review by the president of the as.
sembled military forces.
At sunrise the ceremonies were be.
gun by the United States artillery
firing a salute of 90 guns to usher in
the day. This was the signal for the
trend of humanity, railroad trains,
street cars and boat lines. which from
that moment poured people into the
grounds
A distinguished gathering received
the president and party at Discovery
Landing. 1t included President Tuck.
er and all the general officers of the
exposition. Rear Admiral p F. Har.
rington, in charge of the naval pro
gramme, and Major General Fred D.
Grant, who arranged the military at.
fractions. Aftere the exchange of
greetings, during which the bands
played patriotic selections. the party
proceeded in carriages to the grand
stand. The cheering crowd pressed
the outsiders and surged after the line
of carriages which took direct route
around main auditorium building to
the scene of inauguration. The pro-
cession was a triumphal one for the
v,rn I,,f Id
by the welcome given him as he en-.
tered the reviwing stand. Bowling to
right and left his acknowledgements
of the great public acclaim spurred the
crowd to renewed efforts. The gath
ering in front of the grandstand start.
ed to seek choice vantage points at
the water front and when the cere-
moines opened the audience extended
over the parade ground far beyond the
reach of the speakers voice.
Formal procedure opened with an
overture by the bands, Jamestown
Dixie" which was composed especial
iy for the occasion, followed by ex.
position chorus and prayer by Rt |
Rev Alfred Magill Randolph, Episco.
pal bishop of the diocese of Southern
Virginia. After the churus had been
sung, the official hymn. beautiful
and appropriate work by Wilberforce
G. Owst, President Tucker faced the
multitude. A spontaneous outburst of
cheering greeted him as a testimonial
by the people to the gigantic |
work that been done in celebration OF |
one of the most important events in
the history of the nation as well as
Virginia. Mr.. fuckers address was
and chronological in char.
acter and at its conclusion he intro
duced President Roosevelt.
When Mr.. Tucker concluded It was
some minutes before President Roose-
welt could proceed with his address, |
The people again and again gave vent
to their enthusiasm. AS he pressed
the gold button which formally open
ed the exposition it was the signal for
the unfurling of thousand or more
flags on the various buildings At
the same time signal was given to
the warships and to the garrison at |
Fort Monroe and all fired salute to
the Union. When the echoes of the
last gun had died away. all the bands
played the "Star Spangled Banner"
and the troops saluted the national
anthem by presenting arms and all
persons present barred their heads.
After this impressive ceremony,
the president of the United States,
his cabinet members. diplomatic corps
from both branches Of
governors of states and Off
cial guests of the exposition. was
luncheon in the auditorium an.
mex. During the luncheon the parade
grounds was cleared and great crowds
sought places around the walks to wit
ness the military pageant. On review
Ing the stand besides the president
was the members of his cabinet, and
other official visitors, as well as sew
eral hundred special invited guests.
While the military feature was not
large, 1t was of splendid character: 1t
H. AZ II