The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-06-20

Upon the States Executive.
Norfolk Especially Virginia Day
was celebrated at the Exposition
With an enthusiasm that has not
been witnessed since opening day.
In fact, the crowd was even greater
than on either that day or oven on
last Monday, when President Roose-
Velt was here. The morning dawned
cloudy, but by IL O'Clock the skies
cleared and the afternoon was per-
tect, a strong breeze moderating
the heat of the sun.
The vast thrOng that gathered on
Lee Parade, In front of the grand
stand, to hear the speakers and to
see the vast parade, was made up
Oh persons from all parts of Virginia,
adjacent states and many from far
on. Special excursions were run by
all of the railroads and steamboat
lines touching Norfolk, while other
visitors had been here for some little
time. Tidewater Virginia turned out
especially strong. The mayors Of
the varous cities had several days
ago issued requests to the mer-
chants to suspend business for the
day In order TO allow their employees
this was largely done.
President Harry st. George Tuck
er, of the Exposition Company, OPEN
ed the exercises by Introducing Col
A. M. Bowman, of Salem, Va, who
presided.
The opening prayer was offered by
Rev. ]. Sidney Peters, of Petersburg,
and this was followed with music
by the band, which rendered, while
the crowd cheered, my Country, 'Tis
of Thee
Hon. Robert L. Withers in short
address of welcome to all States and
nations introduced the illustrious
son of Virginia, DR.. Thomas Nelson
Page. who had prepared and read a
beautiful poem, "Raleigh's Vision" i"
He was followed by Lieutenant Gov
ernor Ellyson, who delivered a short
address and introduced the speaker
OF the day. Governor Swanson, whose
speech was an eloquent exposition of
the greatness and glory of his State,
and which was enthusiastically ap-
lplauded.
The exercises concluded with
Dixie by the band, and then fol-
lowed the great military parade, re-
viewed by Governor Swanson, Ad-
mtral Robley d. Evans and staff and
Gen. Fred d. Grant and staff and
many American and foreign naval of
iicers. In the parade, in which the
midshipmen from Annapolis, the
sailors and marines from the ships
and the regular troops made q splen-
id showing. the Virginia militia came
in for the greatest amount of praise.
which was shared by the Virginia
Military Institute and the Virginia
polytechnic Institute, but the regular
1vation was rendered to the gallant
Richmond Howitzers.
These troopers arrived on the
grounds after having marched all
The way from Richmond, in soiled
Gniforms of khaki and with their
caissons and guns covered with mud.
lheir horses weary with their long.
Aard pull. the battery marched
proudly by the reviewing stand and
gracefully received the plaudits of
ahe multitude.
Behind the battery came their
Ommissary wagons, each piled high
with boxes and barrels, and each
drawn by four mules. just as they
appeared on the march.
President Tucker, Vice President
Martin, Vice President Cumming and
Secretary Sheppard, of the Exposi-
ton Company, paid an official visit
to the Governor and Mrs. Swanson
at the Virginia Building as q part of
the Virginia Day celebration.
Gen. Frederick d. Grant and staff,
escorted by platoon OF calvary,
called on Governor and Mrs. Swan
son at noon and little later Gov
ernor Glenn of North Carolina, also
called at the Virginia Building.
Governor Swanson, accompanied
by Governor Glenn, returned the call
of General Grant at Camp Captain
John Smith.
In the afternoon the directors of
the Exposition Company and Secre-
tary Shepperd accompanied Governor
Swanson and staff to the Discovery
Landing, where they received the of
ficers of the American and foreign
fleets anchored in Hampton Roads
The fourth division of the Atlantic
fleet, which consists of the battle
ships Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana and
Iowa, will remain in Hampton Roads
after the remaining ships of the
fleet have dispersed.