The New York herald., 1869-06-16
Brilliant Success of the Great
Enterprise.
The First Days Programme
Faultlessly Performed.
A Flood Of Harmony from Twelve Thou
sand Singers and Musicians.
Enthusiasm Of the Immense
Audience.

BOSTON, June 15 1859.
That great Peace jubilee and Musical Festival Of
which SO much has been written and said is now
TACT in the history OF the Yankee nation. II got
good start this afternoon, and everything promises
auspcious for the full realization OF all the brilliant
anticipations which have been INDUCED In. The
weather seemed to be little adverse to very bril-
liant opening in the morning; but tie old saying
that "if it rains before seven it VIII clear
or before eleventh proved happily true to-day,
and the thousands and thousands who have CON-
bned to honor the "lubn with their presence are as
much delighted as the projectors and managers OF
the jubilee.
THE COLISEUM.
The spacious Coliseum IN which the great festival
is progressing has already been elaborately de-
scribed In the HERALD, and 1t is only necessary now
to allude to 1t as the most generous structure in this
country In the matter OF room and capacity. If it
accommodates $4,000, is claimed, there was Ger.
tanly that number inside of it at the Inauguration
ceremonies and opening concert this afternoon.
Early in the morning, IN spite OF q pelting rain,
thousands OF people assembled in the vicinity OF the
mammoth edliice, and during the entire day, before
and after the concert and while 1t was progressing
every avenue OF ofapDroach was thronged with coming
and gong pedestrians, dashing and pranclng steeds
and elegant and elaborate carriages, phaetons and
other vehicles. Around the Coliseum in its imme-
diate neighborhood, junior city seemed to have
sprung up during the night The chief features OF
1t Of course consist of eating houses, soda fountains
Ice cream saloons and the other customary appen.
dages suitable to gala occasion, including one or
two theatres, an opera house or two Of the burnt
cork character, and also half score Of lager beer
Saloons
REPRES ENTATIvES OF THE PRESS.
The only feature Of interest inside OF the Coliseum
during the forenoon was an entertainment in honor
OF the visiting members OF the press, provided by
the city Of Boston. The idea wise one, and
so was the collation but where there as one news
paper man invited there were dozen others who
probably never saw the inside of newspaper Office,
and while those whom 1t was intended to honor
were, to considerable extent, crowded out, the
dead beats and friends OF the members OF the city
government INDUCED in at least one good meal.
The city showed its cleverness, however, and the
fact Should therefore, be recorded.
ENTRANCE OF THE AUDIENCE--A GRAND ARRAY
The doors OF the Coliseum were opened for the
general multitude at two O'CLOCK and hours before
this the impatient ticket holders were oierng about
the different apertures OF gress, all anxious gam
admittance to the interior at the earliest possible mo.
ment. When at length the critical hour arrived and
when the doors were swung bacs, there was q pro-
mscuous rush for hem and the services OF at least
dozen policemen were required at each door to
check the struggling masses OF humanity. Imme-
diatey uponontering the audience were distributed
within an hours time nearly every one of The ffiy
thousand seats IN the colossal structure was occu-
bled was probably without a rival in tins country,
and the audience, together with the elaborate and
tasty decorations the patriotic emOems of peace.
and the various national devices all combine to
form spectacle truly grand and impressive
and upon which every visitor looked with
feelings oil pride and emotion, ana could only turn
from with grea reluctance. he ioor or body Of the
house was generally occupied by invited guests and
other gentlemen while the galleries were generally
sought by the ladies ana gentlemen accompanying
them, thus exhibiting to good advantage such sea
OF female beauty ana loneliness rarely II ever
before gathered in one common concourse.
PROMINENT PERSONS PRESENT.
Among the most prominent OF the invited guests
present at the opening Admiral Farragut wno
with MS WIFE, occupied seat with Commander
escorted to the Coliseum by detachment OF the
Boston Naval Association, preceded by detachment
OF the jubilee Gilmore Bands. The British Minister
Mr.. Thornton, was also among those who occupied a
prominent place on the door, and also Consul La.
roche OF hayti; Mayor Price, Of Mobile; Senator
Wilson, Hon. Ezra Meilard, OF Omaha, and batta.
liop VI mayors and officials from negnborlng states
THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
With cOmmendable promptneSs the ceremonies OF
inauguration were commenced a. three O'Clock,
Alexander II. Rice, as President of the OCCASION
offered by Rev. Edward Everett Hale 1t was sug-
gested some weeks since to have the throne OF grace
addressed by one hundred clerymen IN unison but
the suggestion did not meet with the sancto. OF Mr.
Gilmore. Mayor shurten followed The prayer with
briei address OF welcome. lie said: -
To this national festival Instituted TO commemo-
rate the return oil peace TO our country the restora
ton OF our ancient liberties unimpaired our national
bonds OF union uabroken and our honor and credit
unsuliied Boston welcomes you all mos. sincerely |
and cordially. Let this welcome extend as |
widely as the beneficial ana glorious effects of |
our happy peace can reach and be felt, |
that all nations and all tongues may join in the JOY
1ul strains aud let the gladsomemusic of this jubilee
resound In one reclamation throughout the world
and be echoed and re-echoed to the renotest re- |
glons OF the universe. domestic strife has ended;
peace and harmony prevail The sons of the Union |
rejoice In liberty and friendship. All, then, are well
come to JOIN with us IN singing the praises Of the
most estimable of all blessings. May the harmony |
Of the occasion strke deep into the breasts OF us
all and leave within our natures the most sacred and
lasting impressions, and may peace ana good Will |
forever reign triumphant. Welcome, thrice well
come, are all to this our festival OF peace.
After the Mayor had concluded, Mr.. Alexander Ii.
Rice occupied about half an hour in delivering the
following address ON the "Restoratlon Of Peace and |
OPENING ADDRESS BY MIR. ALEXANDER II. RICE
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-No one, | am sure. can
be more painfully conscious than am at this mo-
mcnt how inadequate is any single voice. much
more any words Oh nlne to give suitable expression
TO the sentiment Of this great occasion. The scene
ITSELF in all Iis fixed and versatile magnfcence Is
ITS best interpreter, and no eloquence however lofty
or descriptive. can equal the glowing Inspiration or
uttered. There is scarcely an exhibition Of physical
power more imposing than multitude OF living
humanity, and no display OF moral grandeur Is more
sublime than the. movement of that multi
sude when swayed by common impulse ami
and the law Of harmony readily unite IN
one, whether In the domain Of nature OF
90 we not tnat WHen tne virgin |
worlds came FORTH radiant IN divine glory and rich
IN gifts from out the everlasting solitude at the bid
ding OF Almighty power, the morning sang their
greetings together and all the OF God shouted for
Joyp so also It ordained In the affairs Of men that
the highest triumph OF victory is the most perfect
pcaccthe 0udest din Of battle hushed in the melody
oil song. In entire agreement with this thought con-
vcncs this vast assembly, larger than was ever be-
fore gathered In single audience room upon this
COntincnt-gathered from the East, from the West
from the North ana from the South, ito blend the
power Of numbers and the harmony OF sound 10.
voice and instrument OF every
name In sending up TO Heaven ana forth To men a
pGan OF great Joy the restoration OF domestic
peace and the renewal Of prosperity TO
our common country. That country has long
been in unconscious preparation for suci,
festival, 80 that the unanmity with which
It's announcement was received was but an
anlmating echo OF that loyallsentment which, seven
years ago, brought millions Of volunteers TO our
pattlc neds when the signal guns at Sumter, rever
Deratng over prairie and lake, and city and hillside
MA, me une nrst decisive announcement that the great