Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-19
The Scene at the Palace.

great Temple of National Industry has Enclosed
lis portals and displayed its treasures to the multi
tude. No event. for long time, has created so i
general and so profound an interest in the public
mind as vest rday's ceremonial.
At an early hour the Palace was besieged by
applicants for admission. Stern officials guarded
the entnnces, and inforEed all who came, that
until 10 o'clock none but exhibitors would he ad-
mitted. AT 10, however, the jealous gates urclos-
ed, and red, and yellow, and white, and blue invi-
tatons poured in al the different entrances. The
throng, even then, was excessive. The omnibus
es, the cars, the hackney coaches all poured forth
their live freight at Forty second street, and lade,
and gentlemen, at every degree of temperatures
assembled the STAIRS that led to the interior
The Interior of the Palace was even more i'm
posing than we could have anticipated. The
change wrought in il since the night before seemed
miracle. Everything was neat and orderly. The
floors were Thoroughly swep, much of the contr-
buttons were displayed, among which Thorwatd-
sens noble series of Christ ana his Apostles, i'll the
Danish seclion attract cd much deserved attention.
Bright banners f1unted from the galleries-sus
of Old Amor, from the Tower of LONDON, frown-
ed grmly the scene, If the spirit of antiquity
was wroth within them at the contrast between
cur days, bright with intellectual progress, anu
those good old benighted times in which they
saw service. And over all, the great Dome
stretched ITS painted canopy, Joining together the
diverging naVes, the building itself drew togeth-
er widely differing nations.
The Palace filled rapidly. At the intersections
of the naves, and all beneath the dome, the floor
bonnets and silks, and young ladies' who were
afraid of being too enthusiastic lest they should be
laughed at, walked wonder:ngly about. The
platform in the north nave, which to be the
great scene of interest for the day, began about
this time 10 be animated Members of the Senate,
guests invited by special request, militia officers,
looking anything but easy i'll their uniforms, and
the President of the Crystal Palace with his off
cia staff, and host of other persons too diStin-
guished to be well known, made their appearance
on the boards.
1t was already o'clock, and the President, with
out whom nothing could go on, had not arrived.
Watches innume:abe were pulled out on the plat
form. Mr.. Sedgwck locked grave. HIS staff
looked still more grave. But he came not,--and
people took to wandering once more through the
galleries and naves. Presently there WIS stir
and hum, and the people surged to and fro, and
all that could run, ran, aud arrived in time TO see
tall, sodiery, and not ungracetul, gentleman
cross the platform. loud clapping of hands
greeted the Hero of Chippewa. Then some more
celebrities mounted the stage unrecognized by any
popular demonstration--Mr. Meagher, among 9th
ers, took his seat on the reserved benches. The
time wore rapidly, until, al length, the sJuud Of
truInpetS was caught up IN the distance, and then
everybody settled themselves firmly in their places,
or sought new ones, or strove 10 regain their old
for it was announced that the President was com
ing.
At this moment the scene presented from the
Gallery by the crowd upon the floor below, was
one of unequalled brilliancy. The whole space
under the Dome. extending nearly to the end OF
each nave, wss denSely filed with the eager mass.
Ladies in great numbers, many OF them exceeding
ly handsome, and all gaily dressed, filled the
benches, sat upon the stairs, or stool anxiously
looking over the gallery railing. The platform set
apart for the reception OF the President was erect
ed in the north nave of the Palace, towards the
centre of the building; and un it were ranged seats
for over seven hundred PERSONS These were oc-
cupied by the OfficeIs and Directors of the AsSo
citation, and their guests. Secretaries Guthrie and
Davis, anu Attorney General Gushing, the COM
mitteeS from Philadelphia and other places, and
! quite number of other gentlemen, distinguished
III various walks OF life. -... ~: W
| Sir Charles Lyeli and lady, AMI Lady Ellesmere
and daughter occupied eligible positions near the
platform, at the right, front corner. Lord Elles-
mere, who reached the city at early hour in the
morning, having come express from Quebec onpur
pose TO attend the Inauguration, was Unfortunate
ly confined TO his room by severe attack of the
govt. Prof. Wilson, MIR. G. Wentworth Dixie,
with his Royal Commission, were also brought up
on the platform. Mr.. August Belmont, U. S.
Charge to the Hague and several Ministers resi-
dent at Washington from foreign countries, were
also present.
The OrENlNG CEaEMoN1Es.-The President en-
tered the building at little after O'clock, prece
ded by the Chief OF the Police, and walking be-
tween Captains Du Pont and Davis. The Band
Immediately struck up Hail Colum ia and follow !
ed with Yankee Doodle and other popular airs.
The President was escorted TO the platforms, and
seated in large arm Chair, at the right of t. e
President OF the Association, who greeted him
upon his entrance. Alter the audience lad be-
come quiet, and the music had ceased, Right Rev.
Bishop Wainwright reau fervent and appropriate
prayer l'
After the opening PRAYER by the Rev. Bishop
Wainwright, the following anthem Composed. Tor
the OccaSlon) was sung by the New York Sacred
Harmonic Society, accompanied by the National
Guard Band and members OF other Societies:
Here, where all climcs their offerings send,
Here, where all their tribute lay,
Before Thy presence Lord we BEND
And for Thy smile and bit ssingpray
For thou loest sway the tides OF Thought,
And hold the issues in thy hand,
Orall that human tUiThas wrought
And all that human skill has plaIn'd.
r Thou that leadst thu restless Power of Mind
Ger destinys untrodden field,