New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904 Part 8

Invocation by the Rev. Carroll N. Davis, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral

Address of welcome by President David R. Francis

Address transferring State building to Governor Odell by Vice-President William Berri

Acceptance by Governor Odell

Organ recital by S. H. Grover

8 to 11 P. M. Reception given to Governor and Mrs. Odell by the State Commission

Music by the Haskell Indian band

The day opened bright and clear, the warm rays of the sun being tempered by a cool breeze. The building was not opened to the public until the conclusion of the band concert, which was held between 10:30 and 11:30.

As soon as the doors were opened a large audience quickly gathered to take part in the formal exercises of the day. In the a.s.semblage was an interesting couple, Mr. Horace Stowell, aged 93 years, and wife, who had journeyed from Madison, N. Y., a distance of over a thousand miles, to be present at the dedication ceremonies and to visit the Fair.

THE FORMAL EXERCISES

Promptly at 11:30 William Berri, Vice-President of the Commission, called the a.s.semblage to order and introduced Rev. Carroll N. Davis, who offered the invocation. At its conclusion Mr. Berri delivered his address. The slight change in program was due to the fact that President Francis was necessarily detained for a short time.

Vice-President Berri said:

"Governor Odell, it is with very great pleasure your New York State Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition welcomes you in the New York State building here erected upon the spot where a little over one year ago you honored us by turning the first spadeful of earth for the foundation.

"Your Commission has endeavored to carry out your expressed wishes to provide for the people of New York who may visit this wonderful World's Fair, a building that shall fittingly represent the State of New York and add its share with the other state buildings to beautifying the grounds.

"We are much pleased that it is a matter of record that not only was this building complete in every detail and its doors thrown open for inspection on the opening day of the Exposition, but also that all exhibits under the control of your Commission, in the various departments, most of which are very much larger than ever before shown by New York State, were ready and in place at the moment President Francis officially declared that the great St. Louis Exposition was open to receive the world.

"We wish to thank President Francis and all officials connected with him in this great undertaking, for the uniform courtesy with which we have been treated, and for the valuable a.s.sistance that has been so generously given to us in carrying out our plans.

"It has been a most pleasurable task. We have fully accomplished what we have sought to attain. There is nothing lacking in the realization of our antic.i.p.ations. As to whether we have acted wisely it is for you to judge. If, as the executive head of our State, it shall please you to commend the results we submit for your approval, this will be the proudest day in the history of the Commission."

As Governor Odell rose to respond to the remarks of Mr. Berri, he received an ovation, for which he bowed acknowledgment several times and finally raised his hand for silence. He spoke as follows:

ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR ODELL

_"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen"_

"We are here to-day to dedicate a building which represents the interest of New York State in this great Exposition. Here, during the period when thousands shall visit these grounds, those who owe allegiance to the Empire State will find a place which will typify to them their home and impress them, let us hope, to a greater degree with the vastness of our State and of the position which it occupies in our commonwealth of nations. To those who have been intrusted with the work we owe thanks for the conception of their duty and for this magnificent edifice which, in its strength and beauty of architecture, is symbolical of the Empire State. In every phase of our nation's history, in all that has made it great and powerful and respected, New York has been both conservative and wise in the aid which it offered, powerful in the resources which it furnished in the building up of our republic. From the time when the courage and patriotism of our forefathers wrought out the nation down to the latest acquisition of our territory there is no page of history which does not tell of the devotion and statesmans.h.i.+p of New York's citizens.

"It is always a remarkable event in the history of the world when one nation disposes of any part of its domain to another through peaceful methods. War has almost always been the means through which nations have expanded and pushed forward their boundary lines. Trade requiring an outlet has more frequently been the cause of bloodshed than almost any other national or international question. That our country, therefore, at an early period in its history, should have been able, through peaceful means, to secure the vast domain beyond the Mississippi is a tribute to the statesmanlike policies of those who conceived its purchase. True it may be that the wars of other nations aided in its consummation, but it is also equally true that the man who was most directly responsible for the purchase was a son of the Empire State. Nor did the results of this early diplomatic victory stop here. The principle thus established has frequently led to more peaceful methods of adjusting questions of territorial boundary, both in our own and other countries. It may be that much that has since been accomplished through arbitration is but the evolution of this idea, and it may lead, let us hope, to the time when such questions will no longer render necessary the arbitrament of the sword.

"It was proper, therefore, that our State, in its dignity, with its conservatism and with its intense patriotism, should be among the first to contribute of its means to make of this Exposition the grand success which it promises. With each succeeding international exposition the world becomes wiser, artisans more skillful, the contributions to science and art more valuable; in a word, they raise the standard of civilization and hasten the time when all men shall pay homage to the ruler of the universe. As inventions are developed which make the worker more effective, which broaden the field of usefulness, there come responsibilities and problems which require education and discernment to meet and solve. Under the softened touch of Christianity, religion and education there should come about a universal brotherhood of man broad enough in scope to embrace all humanity. In all the work of the world, in all that is for the development of man, in everything that holds out promise to the future, New York State we may justly say, if not the leader, is at least in the fore ranks. Its broad acres are rich and fertile, and the commerce of the world enters at its ports. The manufacturer finds willing hands with remunerative wages striving to produce that which is necessary for our comfort and which adds so much to the wealth of the nation. Its laws are broad and ample in their scope, with no distinction as between man and man, and beneficent in their operation, while our citizens evince impulses which are worthy of emulation by all those who believe in the future of our republic. We have more of wealth and a greater population than any other State within the Union. Our cities are cosmopolitan in character, made up of representatives of all nations, but so nicely adjusted are our laws that they are a.s.similated into our population and become Americans among Americans, actuated by a common patriotism and a common desire for the continued development of our land.

"In these great halls, in these magnificent buildings devoted to art, to education, to mechanics and to agriculture, exhibits are to be found which are on a par if they do not excel, those of other nations. The advancement of New York, however, is but typical of every other State in the Union, in the continued prosperity of which all are equally interested. A nation of separate States, there is no dividing line of envy between them, no wish except for the prosperity and development of each, a common hope for a common country. How necessary it is, therefore, that in all that has to do with society a broad catholic spirit should dominate and control. Ours is not a country of cla.s.ses, but one of equality--a country whose aim is the education of its citizens. It is our common object to perpetuate the principles of American independence. Anything that r.e.t.a.r.ds human progress, or that would make of a man a mere machine without brains, is to be deprecated.

Our object should be to encourage and to promote thrift, and to instill into the mind of every citizen a desire for advancement. In this direction our State will be found always in the forefront and the evidence of her greatness will be measured rather by the intelligence of her citizens than by mere acc.u.mulation of wealth. Therefore, that which protects labor, which encourages capital, should be the aim of modern legislation. While we partic.i.p.ate in the celebration of this great national event, as we mark our progress along every line, we feel a natural pride in all that has been done in other States, in all that has been accomplished by other people. As we look into the future, as we consider its possibilities, let us hope that our nation will never forget that this government is one by the people, and that its power and influence among the nations of the world will continue only so long as due weight and consideration is given to the rights of individuals.

While rejoicing as citizens of New York, let us hope for the continuance of those policies and principles which have made our nation prosperous, and let us not forget that moderation and conservatism should be the measure of our efforts, and all that we do shall be for the advancement of all the people.

"The citizens of New York extend their congratulations to the people of the west and northwest. We hope that from this great Exposition there shall come a closer communication between all the people of the earth, a broadening of human effort, the advancement of civilization and a growing respect for our country and our flag which will make us a power for the good and peace of the world.

"It is a great pleasure for me to accept on behalf of the State of New York this magnificent building, and again to congratulate you as the President of the Commission, and the architect who has wrought this wonderful work, for the painstaking care that you have exercised in the development of New York's interests in this great Exposition."

During the address of the Governor, President Francis quietly entered and was introduced at its conclusion. He was warmly received and made a characteristic address. He paid a warm tribute to the Empire State and her Chief Executive, and complimented the State Commission upon the work it had performed and spoke of the New York State building as one of the social centers of the Exposition.

His remarks in part follow:

"Your distinguished son, Robert R. Livingston, was the man who first negotiated for the purchase of Louisiana. No exposition would be complete without a representation from the Empire State. The Exposition management has already pointed with pride to the New York building, the social functions of which have been among the marked attractions of the Exposition.

"I am here to thank New York not only for her material contribution to the World's Fair, but for the spirit her citizens have given to this Exposition.

"We of the West flatter ourselves that we have arrived at that stage of our progress when we can invite every people on the globe to come and see for themselves what a century of Western civilization has accomplished."

At the conclusion of the ceremonies Governor Odell held an informal reception, during which Mr. S. H. Grover, of New York, played an organ recital.

THE EVENING RECEPTION

The State building was appropriately decorated for the evening reception given in honor of Governor and Mrs. Odell, and many hundred guests called to pay their respects between the hours of eight and eleven. The receiving party consisted of Governor Benjamin B. Odell, Jr., Mrs.

Odell, Mr. and Mrs. William Berri, Mrs. Norman E. Mack, Mr. and Mrs.

John K. Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. John Young, Mrs. Daniel Manning, Mr. Frank S. McGraw, Mr. Frederick R. Green, Mr. John C. Woodbury, and Mr. William T. Van Brunt, representing President Harriman. The guests were presented to the receiving party by Major Harrison K. Bird, private secretary to the Governor. Two lines of United States marines guarded the approach to the receiving line and prevented crowding and confusion.

Music was furnished by the Haskell Indian band and later in the evening dancing was indulged in by many of the guests present. Supper was served at ten o'clock at small tables on the verandas, the following being the menu:

CELERY OLIVES RADIS AMANDES SALEES FEUILLES SUEDOISES BOUCHEES DE VOLAILLE A LA REINE CANAPES DE LUXE SANDWICHES a.s.sORTIS GLACE NEW YORK FRIANDISES CAFE LEMONADE EXPOSITION PUNCH

[Ill.u.s.tration: GRAND BASIN, FROM FESTIVAL HALL]

CHAPTER VI

New York State Week

The week beginning October third was set aside by the Exposition authorities as New York week; Monday, October third, being designated "New York City Day," and Tuesday, October fourth, "New York State Day."

NEW YORK CITY DAY

New York City Day was observed with exercises in the City Building on the Model street at eleven o'clock in the morning, which were presided over by Thomas W. Hynes, the Commissioner officially representing the city. Mayor McClellan was represented by Charles V. Fornes, President of the Board of Aldermen. There were also present an official delegation representing the city. Addresses were made by Archbishop J. J. Glennon, of St. Louis; Right Reverend Bishop McNamara, of New York city; Walter B. Stevens, Secretary, and F. J. V. Skiff, Director of Exhibits of the Exposition; Howard J. Rogers, Chief of Department of Education and Social Economy, and others. Luncheon was served at noon at the Tyrolean Alps, and from three to five in the afternoon a reception was held in the City Building, which was attended by exposition officials, national and state representatives, St. Louis society and many New Yorkers. In the evening a sumptuous banquet was served in the Town Hall of the Tyrolean Alps, which was presided over by Commissioner Hynes.

SERENADE TO GOVERNOR ODELL

Governor Odell and staff and invited guests reached St. Louis Monday morning, October third. At noon the Governor was tendered a serenade by the Philippine Constabulary band of 100 pieces. On Monday evening a dinner was given at the State building by the New York State Commission in honor of the Governor and Mrs. Odell, and President and Mrs. Francis.

Owing to a death in the family, President and Mrs. Francis were unable to be present. Mr. D. M. Houser, of the Board of Directors, represented President Francis. There were no formal speeches, Governor Odell simply regretting that President Francis could not be present.