The national Republican., 1866-08-16
The Interior Of the wigwam al
RhlDoaelphin.

The Interior Of the Wigwam at
FhiDeAelphin. .
The Philadclphia Inquirer OF yesterday
has the following: .sFIk
As early ~ halfpast ten o'clock delegates
began to pour into the .Wigwam, and from
that time until haIEpast twelve continuous
stream Of persons were pressing forward,
eager to secure seats. "
Notwithstanding the fact that the commu-
nifty at large were in doubt whether the first
meeting OF the Convention would be held in
the Wigwam, Owing to the unfinished state
Of that structure and the inclement weather,
an immense number Of persons were In at
tendance, including fair sprinkling Of la-
dies, who occupied seats on the western gal
lery.
About halkpast twelve O'Clock every avail
able seat on the floor Of that part Of the
Wigwam appropriated exclusively to dele
gates and reporters was filled, and many
were standing up, unable to find seats At
first IL was thought that but few spectators
would be present, for when the Convention
organized for business not more than four
hundred persons occupied seats in the gal
leries. A few minutes past twelve O'Clock,
however, they began to pour in by hundreds,
and by halEpast twelve the immense amphi
theatre was over three-fourths filed. Won
derfully good order was kept for such alarge
and heterogeneous mass OF people, not the
slightest disturbance occurring during the
entire session Of the Convention. The inte-
rior Of the Wigwam presented picturesque
appearance. There was perfect sea Of hu-
man heads, the eyes Of each one steadily
fixed on the speakers chair, and ears were
bent forward anxious to catch every word
that fell from the lips Of those in authority,
Never in this city were 90 many repre-
sentatives Of the press congregated together
at the same reportorial table. This table
extended along the entire front Of the speak
er.'s stand, and was capable Of accommodate
ing at least one hundred actively engaged
reporters. -.E
The speakers stand contained three tables
for the use of the president and secretaries,
and number Of settees for the members OF
the executive committee and others. Pla-
cards on either side Of the speakers stand
indicated the way to>the different committee
rooms, the telegraph Office, and other com
partments. s,r Z
1t was found to be impossible to complete
the building in time for the opening OF the
Convention, and up to the time Of General
Dix taking his seat the sound OF hammers
could be heard all over the building These
soon ceased, and the workmen could then be
seen on the roof peering down through Grey
ices on the scene beneath them, waiting for
the adjournment Of the Convention to re-
commence their labors. ~ q
The interior was handsomely decorated.
Directly back Of the speakers stand and on
the southern:wa Of the Wigwam two large
American flags hung in graceful folds, and
directly over them still larger flag was
tefully festooned. In the centre Of this
latter flag was affixed shield containing the
coat of arms Of Pennsylvania, hanked on
either side by beautiful silk American flags.
Surmounting this drapery was large trans
parency or piece Of canvas, containing rep
resentation Of an arch, on each stone Of
which was the name Of one Of the States Of
the Union, the centre or keystone Of the arch
containing the word "Pennsylvania." I
Over the arch was inscribed l776, and
under it 1866. Beneath the arch was the
motto: a -
Omitted we stand, divided we fall"
The Transparency was surrounded bya blue
and yellow ornamented border. /
Tricolored bunting was stretched around
the entire Wigwan, studded with shields of
the different States. There are nine uprights
or massive posts, reaching from the ground
to the roof on either side Of the Wigwam,
eighteen in all, and TO these posts the bunt-
ing mentioned was secured. Each post was
ornamented with shield containing motto
and coat Of arms Of one Of the States.
Between these posts, near the roof, cross
beams were erected, and on the centre of
each were also placed State shields. The
different shields around the building repre-
sented the thirty-six States. Evergreens sur
rounded the shields, and the entire decora-
tions Of the interior presented very hand
some ensemble. fr. 4,
A full brass band was stationed on plat.
form erected directly over the main en-
trance, and the interim between the opening
Of the doors and the commencement of the
deliberations was filled up with choice Sc
lection Of patriotic and operate airs. I