Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1907 — STANDS OFF A PANIC [ARTICLE]

STANDS OFF A PANIC

President Takes Command at Jamestown When the Crowd Presses Forward. - . 7 CAILS ON VIRGINIA CHIVALRY Touches on the Economic Problem in His Dedicatory Speech. Declares Wrong-Doers Must Be Funis lied Regardless of Their Station—Neither Mob Nor Plutocracy to Bule. ' • x Norfolk, V#., April 27. President !:<•*-<■ cl:; the diplomatic, naval and i: .iy ropresautatives of thirty-sev-en ;h<- nations of the world, and the gave. ?ors of a score of states, par*. Slpiyit-d the opening exerciser of the .Tami stown Ter-Centennlal exposition. Not tlie least impressive of the day’s events was the action of the president in assuming command of the situation in front of the crowded grand stand from which he spoke when a panic seized the surging throng of spectators. Pressed against the guard ropes by 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 morefavored positions was eldangered.

Crowd Presses Forward. President Roosevelt had just Keen introduced by Harry St George Tucker, the head of the Jamestown Exposition company, when the disorder and unrest in the crowd reached its height and the civil guards in front of the grand stand seemed about to be swept from their posts. 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 up to their ’’traditions of gallaptry” and cease the push Ing and crowding which was thieatenlng the lives of the women and children in the assemblage. The crowd beetled the president’s warning, but later another case of pleasure cal'ed for the intervention of United States cavalry, which held the crowd back. President’s Speech Was Cheered. The president was making his speech when this second "forward movement'' began, but he kept right on. Some of bls remarks —noticeably when he touched upon the subject of the le ent peace congress In New York—wereaddrossed to the representatives of the many of the world; others emphasized to the soldiers mid Bailors who took such a conspicuous part in the day’s programme, and other thoughts to which he gave utterance were directed toward the general public. There were constant outbursts -of applause and cheering. Especially ■when reference was made to the gallantry of the men who fought in the civil war—beneath the banners of the north or the cross-barred flag of the Confederack were the cheering and the applause unstinted.

: FINE DAY FOR THE OPENING Some Details of the Different Features of Prominence. ' A fairer day has never been seen than that which attended the opening of probably the most notable exposition ever held In the south. The military encamped about the exposition grounds began the day's ceremonies with the tiring of the three-century salute. Soon thereafter from across the waters of Hampton roads came the boom of ship cannon, signaling the beginning of the review of the most formidable fleet of international battle ships and cruisers the world has witnessed In many years. Oh board the cruiser yacht Mayflower the president was greeted lit st by a roar of twenty-one guns from each of the vessels. Then as he steamed along the lane of men-of-war he was saluted individually and in turn by every battleship and cruiser. When his yacht had anchored the president received on board the flag and commanding officers of the foreign squadrons and the flag officers of the home fleets.

The- president landed at the exposition grounds shortly after 11 a. m. Booming cannon again greeted the president as he stepped ashore. President Tucker, of the exjiosltlon. personally welcomed Roosevelt and cheering crowds along the water front acclaimed a chorus to the simple words of Tucker, who said: "Mr. President old ylrginla salutes you, sir.” The president returned the salutation and with Mrs. Roosevelt was driven to the grand stand between two lines of soldiers from the Twenty-*hird United States Infantry. Here the speeches were made and as the president closed he touched a gold button and the exposition was opened. The president then went to lunch in the Auditorium building, and after that reviewed a parade of United States soldiers and sailors. A reception followed, admittance to the Auditorium being at first by card, and when the Invited guest*, were received the public was admitted. Returning to the Mayflower the president donned

evening dress and went to dinner given by President Tucker, General Fred Grant, who is In charge of the military, with a squadron of cavalry, escorting the president After .dinner the president and party returned to the Mayflower, and this morning dbe proceeded up the James river to the old Jamestown settlement. This trip is strictly private. Hampton roads blazed brilliantly at night with the lights of half a hundred mighty vessels of war. The illumination of the combined fleets of Great Britain, Germany, Austria, the Argentic republic ind the United States crowned with fitting splendor the magnificent picture which had been preF'.:itcd at the review. The daylight decorations of vari-colored signal flags Stretched in fluttering strings from stem to stern gave way with the settle? sun to the glow of thousands of ele 'tric bulbs and the far-reaching Cr Uof a hundred playing searchlights.