The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-07-08 00:00:00

THE AMERICAN CENTENNIAL.

The celebration of the Cgitenary of American
Independence wa,l commenced bn Monday night with
processions. illuminations, and the firing of salutes in
all the principal cities of the United States. In New
York there was a torchlight procession in which 10,000
persons took part, and in Union•square a midnight
in, inter conceit was given, at which it is computed
there were 100,000 spectators. All the bells in the city
were rung, while the chips in the harbour fired salutes;
and this continued to one o'clock.
l'hiladelphia, crowded with strangers, was splendidly
illuminattd on Monday evening. An immense pro-
cession was formed and went to Independence Hall,
where patriotic services were held.

The Ttmes of Wednesday gives the following, which was
telegraphed on July 4 by thetr Correspondent at Phila-
delphia :
"In Philadelphia, at eight in the morning, the Ger-
man Societies marched to Fairmount-park, unveiling a
statue of Humboldt, cast at Berlin, costing $lB,OOO.
Orations were delivered both in German and English.
At ten the Catholic Total Abstinence Societies,
numbering 15,000, moved in procession through the
principal streets, passißg the Cathedral of St. Peter
and St. Paul, where Archbishop Wood, after celebra-
ting High Mass, reviewed them. They then marched
into the Centennial grounds, where they dedicated a
fountain they have erected there costing $50,000. The
principal address was delivered by Governor Carroll,
of Maryland, grandson of Charles Carroll, of Car-
rollton, whose statue adorns the fountain. A grand
military procession of troops from all parts of the
country, numbering nearly 10,000, moved, shortly after
eight o'clock in the morning, under Governor Hart-
rant t, marching to Independence Hall, where the chief
ceremonies were held. The streets were densely
crowded, the troops receiving a hearty welcome.
Famous bodies of both North and South were in line. '
All were loudly cheered. No battle flags or insignia
recalling the late war were in line. A feature of the
procession was the Centennial Legion, commanded by
General Heth, of Virginia, composed of 13 organ;ze-
:done' each being the most famous organization of each
of 13 original States. In front of Independence Hall
the line was reviewed by Prince Oscar of t weden,
General Sherman, the Secretary of War, Governors of
States, and Members of Congress. The weather was
extremely warm, the thermometer marking 08; but
the troops stood the heat surprisingly well.
"Soon after ten in the morning the ceremony began
in Independence square, in presence of a vast azatm-
blage of distinguished persons horn all parts of the
world, among them the Emperor of Brazil, who was
enthusiastically rec€ived, Prince Oscar of 'Sweden, Sir
Edward Thornton, Governor Hayes, and Generals
Sherman and Sheri lan. After patriotic music,
General Hawley introduced the President of the
Senate, Mr. Ferry, as Chairman, who was warmly
welcomed. Bishop Stevens, of Pennsylvania, offered
up a prayer. A spirited poem by Oliver Wendell
Holmes was very well rendered by the orchestr3. An
original copy of the Declaration of Independence was
then broughtont by the Mayor and held up in full view
of the assembled multitude amid enthusiastic applause,
which was redoubled when Richard Henry Lee, of
Virginia, stepped forward to read it. This was fol-
lowed by a Hymn of Greeting from Brazil, composed
by a Brazilian poet at the Emperor's request. A
National Ode, composed for the occasion was then
a-
recited by the autffor, Bayard Tay I'4 oration of
the day was delivered by W. M. Evarte. The cere-
monies concluded with the 'Hallelujah Chorus' and
Doxology, the 'Old Hundredth' being sung by the
whole assemblage. Seventy-six peals were then given
by the Independeng Hisil Bell, during which the
assemblage dispersed. Attractive fireworks were let
cif in Fairmount Park during the evening."
The Times also gives the Ode composed by Mr.
Bayard Taylor in honour of the centenary of American
Independence, and which consists of eleven stanzis,
occupying a column and a half of The Times.—The
Daily Telegraph also published the Ode.
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