The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-13
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
THIRTT-SIxTH ANNUAL FAIR.
GRAFTON BY GENERAL SlcKLES.
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ukAJiUW 81 0euekAI oiONIIOs
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The Thiry.sxth Annual Fair in connection with the
American Institute was opened to the public last
ing The spacious armory Of the Twenty soooud reg.
ment in Fourteenth street. used by the Institute for
the display Of the various specimens OF arts and
features which have been contributed from all parts of
the States.
The largest Of the rooms Of which there four is
one hundred and nifty feet square, and last evening was
filled with the most anomalous collection Of articles
sauary and stucco work. saddley and sewing machines
iron bedseads and soda water fountains, millinery and
machinery all jumbled together in the most pro-
miscuous manner. This may be accounted for by the
short the exhibition has been in preparation. Many
OF the intending exhibitors have yet sent in their
tces and much OF what has been forwarded ID still
packed II IL strange fact that exhibition, either In
the Old New World has been ready ct the time
advertised.
striking contrast 10 what 10 said OF Solomons
Temple could not have been than tn the night
Hammer and saw resounded with WILL and the creak.
ing OF stubborn wheels formed q powerful accompani-
ment to the melodies performed by Dodworth's Band
The main room is handsomely fesooned with the ma.
onal colors which to relieve the rather primitive
appearance Of the whtewashed oists Gas burners In
waterfaled demoiseles, and bewhiskered exquisites
picked their steps cautiously through this chaotic mass
while the intmation 'paint' caused the former ago
nizng dread Of running dresses.
In the gallery devoted to the fine arts number OF
admirably executed photographs presented from the first
establishments in the city, adorn the walls while many
truly beautiful pieces Of statuary and specimens Of bias
ees well worthy the attention OF visitors Machinery
and inventions necessarily the chief articles exhibited
They fully portray the characteristics Of the American
people. Inventive genius ia nowhere much fostered
in this country, and nowhere else have such grand
proofs of the intellect Of been displayed. Some of
the machines exhibited OF considerable interest to ALL
ana when they are IN motion as tney are 10 oe
The other of the building are not as yet open to
the public but doubt the Of and science
which lie packed will soon be exposed TO the gaze of
visitors Largo quantities of gold and silver ornaments
ributed by several Of on leading jewellers and silver
smiths When all these articles unpacked and dis
tribued with the taste Of an intelligent COMMITTEES the
exhibition will be of a very interesting and attractive
nature and no doubt will be largely visited by our citi
zens and strangers
MAJOR GENERAL sIcKLEs' GRAFTON.
As the hour drew at which 1t stated that Major
General Sckes would address those present the numbers
the gallant soldier came the platform, attended by
the committee the OF peculiar interest Each
one forward to get near the PLATFORM in order to
hear him speak.
General HALL, in introducing Major General sckes
to the audience, stated that the committee had work
ed hard in order to perfect all the arrangements by
the day Of opening and in order to effect this tres
passing on the Sabbath. He hoped, however, by this
day, to have everything in working order.
Major. General sIcKLEs advancing received
with warm applause. When II subsidized he said
GESrLExEE or TnE IxsIrurE-This national exhibition
Of the useful arts Is gratifying illustration Of the happy
peace which biesses country II also suggests
Of the greatest elements of our strength in wsrthat
industrial power which multiplies resources, equps
armies and fleets and supplies the material for great
campaigns. lam happy to meet the society under cir
prosperity Tho brilliant display of products which dis
tnguishes this exhibition and the numerous attendance
on ont TINS OCCASION equally manifest the haoua sppreca
Of our history 80 novel and impressive presents no
feature more remarkable than the facility with which
nation that has shown itself magnificent in war resumes
its peaceful avocatons dsbands its armies, sells its
fleets at auction and only disurbs the equanmty Of its
rivals by tho commanding influence OF noble exam
pie. ! regret that my pursuits have not been such
TO at me to address you upon the practical themes
s Sny IN %hs
new and interesting in the progress Of the arts OF
have not failed to observe during the period Of
my military service how much the industry ingenuity
and enterprise Of our people have contributed to aug
mcnt our resources in war Whom the %errimac at
tackled the wooden fleet in Hampton Roads, and ship
after ship Of reeed and sunk under the staggering
blows OF the rebel monster and the heroic Morris hA
fred his last the Cumberland as he went
down with her beneath the waters, you remember how
the little Monitor, ridiculed as new invention, sncer
ingly called 'pepper box took up the unequal combat,
hiding place In the hsbor of Norfolk where she
afterwards given to the flames You forgotten the
magnificent combat between Admiral rarragus feet and
the OF the most extraordinary fights that
ever occurred on the waters single ship repeng the
crushing blows Of fleet, driven upon her with force
that would have made breach In the walls Of Sebaso
pol; single ship receiving unframed broadsde after
broadsde for more than an hour making no more i'm
upon the curass OF Cortez until the Chckasaw under
Lieutenant Commander Perkins herself invunersble,
struck the Tennessee mortal blow with shot from
elevennch gun hat disabled her rudder and left her.
helpless and parayzed at the mercy OF her conquerors
The Tennessee was armed with the heaviest British can
non The more powerful guns Of the Chickasaw were
American and one Of the improvements developed
during the Nor have you forgotten the time when
the splendid feet OF Admiral Porter was AZ the point OF
being abandoned the Red river owing TO the sudden
fall Of Its waters Then that the genius Of General
Bailey, after all other expedients failed, devised
a dam which so deepened the channel BY turning all
the water of the river into narrow course that the dee
was saved and the army 9! General Banks
tensbIe position near bic base Of operations NesdIre-
mind you Of the memorable exploit Of young Gaming.
E rsS q a Ss :hp
ever ssnchsd--by means Of small torpedo boat con-
Gregory by Chief Engineer Wood, Of the Navy This
little craft propelled by small engine, manned BY
boats crew and oiled with powder, boldly approached
at midnght-her great advenary Al her moorings within
the rsbs lines capturing her way their picket bssts
Steering straight for her victim, her commanders and
leaped into the water and escaped in asmall boat
while the torpedo made oil Roadway against the Abe
marie, and al the moment Of contact with fearful cx
plosion, buried her beneath the waters which, .
momsn, before shc bad aoatod in disdainfuI defiance
endeavored without success TO obtain for this occasion
0fhcal statement Of the number Of mechanics ON
poyed by tho In the shops depots and dock
yards Of the War and Navy Departments at soma given
period during the recens war I have doubt taking
into account the Qusrtermaster's and Ordnance
Departments Of the army, aud all the navy yards that
the number was greater than any one Of our armies
IN ali the history Of war there can be found 10 parallel
10 the operations Of the American Quarcrnsscr Gen
erals Department from 1851 to 1856 Nevertheless,
there some striking European examples In prcpar-
ing for the segc Of Lille the allies compelled ow
ing the Interruption OF the water Communications Of
the army transport from Hollsnd by land oil their
cannon, ammunition and material Sixteen thousand
horses required for the wagons In The train, which
escorted by Prince Eugene with ty three battalons
If infantry and ninety eauadYons kOyse the M