The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-07
AMERICAS GREAT CENTENNIAL.
Meeting Of the Commissioners and Election Of an
Executive Commlttse-At the Union League
Reception-spseches and Compliments
Concluding with a Dance.
PHILADELPHIA, March o, 1877:

PHILADELPHIA, March o, 1872.
The Centennial Commissioners have been IN session
IN the Common Council Chamber this morning. and
at the Continental Hotel this afternoon. The bus-
ness before the Commission the completion OF a
permanent organization. Ex-Governor Hawiey OF
Connecticut, has been selected as permanent Prest-
dent OF the COMMISSION, o. Cleveland, OF New
Jersey, First Vice President and Henry Probasco,
Ohio; wnliam Byrd. Alabama; John L. Creigh, Cali.
fornia and Robert Lowry, Of Iowa, Assistant VlcG
Presidents.
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
In Committee Of the Whole this afternoon the
Commission confirmed ID. J. Morrcil, OF Pennsylva-
MIA; J. v. l.. Pruyn, OF New York: w, W. Wood, OF
Virginia; William Prescott Smith, of Maryland, and
George II. Corllss, OF Rhode Island, as the Execu-
tive Committee.
THE COMMISSIONERS At THE UNION LEAGUE RE-
CEPTlON.
The Union League rendered the Commission q
grand reception this evening; the best people Of the
@ osn rorey Joseph h wsa !a1
Cooke, Edward &. knight, J0seDn Smith, Theodore
Cuyer. Ell Price, and In fact. the dover OF the So
Mi. Morton McMichae, President OF the Union
League, welcomed the COMMISSION Ia very iclci--
CHARACTERISTIC SPEECH OF EX-GOVERNOR HAwLEY.
THIS was replied to by Ex-Governor Hawley, who
said that IN his opinion Philadelphia Is the proper
place Tor holding the centennial. lie mad been to
Boston aud knew oil about that clty-that Is so far
as e M 81 M ssfee, s Is ne
know about New observation-disclosures on the
whole had concluded that Philadelphia Is the place,
par eLctueacp. Above all others, this Is the place
where the old bell rang out the chimes OF liberty.
Here Is where the grand old STATE House stands.
and here let US celebrate the hundrcdth anniversary
OF lls birth. Loud ana continued applause.l
THE VIRGINIA REPRESENTATIVE HITS THE MARK
Mr.. Urestes Cleveland followed IN brief
speech OF the same tenor, when Colonel w. w.
Wood, or Virginia, having Deen called, In q
five minutes speech made the hit OF the evening.
lie SAID Governor tiawley had the pleasure Of say
ing I'm referring to the war; III AN glad we did no5
hit each o;her:" and, gentlemen, | Most heartily
echo his sentiments Inc occasion which prought
US so near together In 1852 was part 70 divda
the Union Tonight, gentlemen, we meet again
THANK GOD, TO CEMENT THE UNION.
Applause ana chcers.) And venture 10 say lnaS
no heart In Philadelphia Tonight beats III warmer
accord with the cause OF the Union tliah Tue ncdrLS
of my constituents in Virginia. MI. WOOD con.
tinued but few moments, yet MS reniarNs were
received with the greatest applause, auu ~ Tue
conclusion tho gentlemen came up anu ConSratu-
lated him. -, ,r...,. ,,u,u.
VINO rs n lawyer who got warmed To his subject ana
referred TO his auditors as gentlemen OF the jury
and colonel Forney made speeches.
TuE COMMIsS UNERS woRSHIPPING TERPS fcHORE.
the Commission then adjourned, Dy Invitation, 20
the Young MGnnerclOr ball and ut tfls WIRING are
mnglIng In the maZes OF the dance ana lOrgettlngs
for the moment, the claims OF home I'D the society
OF the pretty Jdueiiss anu dashlng cavaliers Of the
huI1