The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-09-15
The Humboldt Centennial
A GRAND GALA DAY.
THE CITY DECORATED WlIHFLAes,
The Programme, Speeches,
TOaSts, &c.


such thing been possible.
Loug before the hour fixed for the pro-
cession to move, the streets were gay
with American and German flags, and
girls dressed in white carrying bou-
auers, and men bearing huge wreaths,
while from various portions of the city
came the clapg of brass bands, the roll
ing of drums, and all the notes of pre-
paration.
Promptly at o'clock the procession
was formed in the following order.
Aid. Chief Marshal Aid.
| Band.
! Turner's.
Beethoven Singing Society.
NenBerchor Singing Society.
Harmonic Singing Society.
I German Benevolent Society.
Germania Society.
| Mayor Orators and officers of the Festival.
! Independent Order Of DruIds.
German Odd Fellows.
| Independent Order Of Red Men.
A handsomely decorated boat filed with gaily
dressed little Girls surrounding
bust of Humboldt.
! wagon loaded with Ladies arIayed i'll white.
| Vigilant Fire Company.
Citizens in carriages and on horseback.
The word being given, the process
sion moved over the following ronte of
march:
ROUTE OF MARCH.
Down Union to Market; Market to
Washington; Washington to Main;
Main to First; First TO Chapline;
tnkn-1;-a 90 p;tahiafpurn nd Woah-
ington Mill. Returning from Ritch-
up Chapline to Webster; Webster
to Main; Main to John; John to
Market; Market to Bridge street, thence
TO the Fair Grounds.
All along the route from windows
and from house tops streamed the stars
and stripes, and the black, red and gol-
den banner of the German Confedera-
tion.
Stretched across the stree in front Of
the REGISTER office an immense Ameri-
can flag foated in the breeze. AS the
head of the procession passed under it,
three rousing cheers were given, which
were taken up and swelled along the
whole line.
At the Fair Grounds the vast attend
ance of people devoted themselves to
those modes of rational enjoyment the
| German people so well understand, un-
til2 o'clock, when tho splendid music
furnished by Vaas' Band called them to
the grand stand to hear the speeches.
Mr.. Rappaport was introduced to the
audience by the President of the Festi.
val, Mr.. J. Oesterling. We are only able
to give synopsis of his address, which
was in the German language.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN On this
day, perhaps at the very same hour,
wherever Germans live on this side and
on the other side of the Atlantic, our
countrymen are assembled to celebrate
the bir hday of one of the greatest heroes
not only of our country, but of the world.
No hero on the battle field, who buys
his victories with rivers of blood, and
with the lives of precious thousands,
can compare with the hero who ON the
field of science wins victories over
ignorance and wrests from nature her
closest secrets.
Mr.. Rappaport then pronounced a
glowing eulogy on the greatness OF
Humboldt and of his labors. 1t was
his intention, said the speaker, to make
men free by making them wise.
Tbrongh the efforts of Humboldt ma
ture is open to us-she has no longer a
| ha acknowledgements of the
snhiect makes it difficult for ordinary
minds to know how to learn what nature
so cunningly conceals, yet thanks TO
such minds as Humboldrs, the road to
knowledge is made easy to us, and to
all who follow us. No longer are the
workings of nature cause OF fear, since
science has thrown her light upon all
that was dark, and shown us how sim
ple are the laws that govern the uni
verse.
The speaker then gave short sketch
of Humboldts life, his studies, travels
and works. He said that Humboldt
first showed US clearly the connection
of all natural phenomena, and demon
strated that these phenomena are all
links of one chain, the result OF one
power, the result of cause and effect In
eternal succession. governed by absolute
natural laws. This truth gives man
power TO govern nature, as far as he
knows these laws.
Mr.. Rappaport then showed the intiu-
ence of this principle in the character
and doings of men, and closed with the
remark that science bears truth written
in words of living light on its banner,
and trusted we might always be found
enrolled under that banner, no matter
what our religious and political differ
ences.
Mr.. Rapraport's remarks were inter
rupted by the enthusiastic cheers of his
auditors. At its conclusion the band
played, and after it, the President in
troduced Henry 5. Walker, Esq. Prior
to commencing his address, Mr.. Walker
read the following letter from Governor
Stevenson:
TEE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
WHEELING, September 10, 1869.
Theodore Schreiber, Esq, ChGirm'a Of Com
laittee Of Irritation Of Humboldt Cen
fenRtdt dHnlr6sdTy
DEAR SIR:-I have received your po-
lite note of the lst inst. inviting me to
attend the Centennial Anniversary of
the birth day of Alexander Won Hum
boldt. regret exceedingly that a pre-
vious arrangement may possibly de-
prive me of the pleasure of meeting my
fellow citizens, Germans and others, up
on that occasion, and uniting with them
in doing honor TO the memory of this
truly great man /: illustrious not only
for the vsstness of his scientific re-
search, but for his hatred of oppression
and his love of human liberty-whose
knowledge extended to all countries,
and whose creed embraced all men.
Accept my sincere thanks for your in
yitation, and be assured that If in the
city at the time, shall not fail to be
present.
am, with very great respect,
Yours, &c, ". E. STEVENSON.
Mr.. Walker then addressed the people