New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-24
PREPARING FOR 1876.
A CENTENNIAL MASS MEETING AT PIlILA-
DELPHIA.

n
TO EXCITE POPULAR FEELING-A SUCCESS
FUL MEETING-LIBERAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND
ELOQUENT SPEECHES.
lvRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBUSBl
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22.-For many weeks
past Philadelphia has been puzzling over the eentenh
problem. The rose-oolorcd dreams OF grand uprising
Of tho masses and the brilliant Of the project had
heen disspaed TO nsderabe extent by hard realities,
and the general apathy OF the people proved that the
popular chord had yet been touched in regard 10 ne
matter The plan Of making stockholding concern OF
1t had realized tho anticipaons OF those VINO ha"
expected great things The plan of subscription by the
heads OF largo mercantile. manufacturing, and other
concerns did to touch the spot The employees
who were expected TO take large portion OF the STOCK
sbscrbed for by the employer could not perceive the
desrability of sinking their little contributions
into the common fund Of the establishment,
for which the employer received all the credit Gloomy
antcipations overlook the scheme grand mass meet
ing to stimulate the languid enthusasmof the cizens
was resolved upon by the Centennial Committee ana
this evening was selected the time for holding H.
Nothing left undone to awaken the latent PATRIOTISM
No more appropriate day could have been selected Tor
meeting looking TO the proper celebration OF the great
event Long before O'Clock, the hour for opening the
doors the side ak front of the Academy crowded
A somewhat ludcrous incident occurred before the
doors were opened. A company OF oolored ex-slaye
vocaiss class OF performers who have been as nuer-
Gus IA ocuss this city lately had offered to give
specimen OF their vocalsm. Not being ablo to accept
the offer, tho Committee, to avoid the appearance
OF an affrOnt, which the sensitive coored folks
seemed to construe the refusal them permission
TO try their voices in the empty hall The compromise
appeared agreeable TO them and forming In line on the
stage they sang several to empty benches with
great guso and apparent satisfaction. BY this time
large crowd had assembled outside the building, where
colored fires aud calcium light lit up the scene, and
upon the doors being opened the building apidy filed
H. At frat demanded. Obtalna-
bic at all the newspaper Offices, but nnally the doors
we're thrown open TO all Delegations OF workingmen
filed in with banners and bands OF music.
APPEARANCE OF THE HALL
All the available space IN the large building was soon
filed the stage being occupied by members Of the Con-
stutional Convention, Of the Board OF Trade City
Councils and other noables among whom Senators
Cameron, Nye, oglesbY and Scott; Bishop simpson, j.
Edgar Thompson, Admiral Thomas G.. Turner, exGov.
Pollock, Mayor Fox the Hon. d. J. Morrei, Chairman
OF the Executive Committee National Centennial Com
mission the Hon q. b. Lorng OF Massachusetts,. Israel
Morris, the Hon. Ell X Price. Gen. Robert Patterson,
and Col. Page. II was expected that Gov Hartranft
would DO present and preside. but having excused
himself. it was understood that his place was
to be filed by Senator Cameron In consequence Of this
selection, cxGOv. Curtin Col FOrney, the Hon. Daniel
Dousherty and ex-AttorneyGeneral Brewster did not
nut in appearance Tho house presented brilliant
appearance banners bearing the arms OF the different
States between which were remnants inscribed with the
names of all tho counties OF Pennsylvania, were ar
ranged around the sides OF the balconies TIE stage was
set with pretty forest the band struck up the
"sar Spangied Banner" and amid immense cheering
the Hon. d. ]. MOrrcllisepped forward and announced
the Hon. Simon Cameron as presiding officer Of the
meeting. ..,..
At this announcement plain-lookng individual with
a shock Of unkempt gray hair and hard and shrewd
but not unprepossessing ntenance, looking much
10 min
rose from his chair two the rear slowly
Invested himself OF his overcoa stepped to the front
and stood before the audience bowling his acknowledge
ments OF their applause with placid smile upon his
face though he had never pulled wire or brbed
LEGISLATOR lie proud OF the honor and glad to be
there and much Of the Sort and the audience was
evidently glad he glad for IL set
I'D fearful roar OF approval at the
announcement; and the man who boasts that
he holds the state hollow Of his hand, gave place
to Mr.. Morre. who read long list OF officers who were
maker the who recently introduced TO the Young
Mems Christian Association their anniversary those
distinguished Christian statesman Brothers Colfax
and wilson who, with the stains OF the Credit Mobiier
investigation fresh upon them exhorted the rising gem
Grafton to keep their minds unspOtted from the world"
Brother Wanamaker Is also the person whose threat OF
coercion TO the merchants OF IN case they did
not subscribe literally to the Centennial by refusing to
buy goods Of them doubtless remembered with rear
and trembling IN yGar ey bro'he h
FOR the different trades societies. &c. the announcement
approval dsapprobation, they considered the
amounts liberal or the reverse The total amount
nounced as received from trade committees was 6e 5O
from societies. $3.50; miscellaneous, $1,000. j. Edgar
Thompson promised behalf Of steam railroads OF the
State. the OF 900. This was greeted with tumu
tnous cheering The announcement Of another $4,000
from the City Government drew forth another burst OF
enthusiasm The total amount thus subscribed by Phla
delpha footed ~ Inc sum OF $50 was credited
" FORK viii CHI provoked some 2d3ps ana
West Chester, Penn, had subscribed $4,000, ana me
grand total, as far ss heard FROM was reported at
corridors and telegraph wires conveyed to the stage the
names and amounts thus Subscribed The tick of1he APP
G
ofoh then read series OF resolutions Of which the
The feeling, Of love and yeneOn liberty law Il exist
for made selection Of Phads pha
the for the proper the sIss Cenenst Of the n.
announcing tina, International Exhibition win be held philadelphia
under The authority protection Go1efn%sni The
sGRsdenss Of SSnss' snaHg 70 the people The rsipon
.1e sscr,9ss With the oldest and best gnPe. o. The
State that he whole anoao. Of funds vii be promptly raise. The
Pennyvan, Informing the President that the the
Ss S.ni . S SeS made S s s b 81 i'
the members Of the Commission ami citizens for their interest
With her 81 giving sympathy m to the cause Tue BsTas
will be etreSs well known Tor Their experience I M
but reasonable to sIPec. that the exhibition viii DO decided anagei
ought to be celebrated with grandeur with
marvellous progress
APPEARANCE OF HE MILITIA.
Ex-GOy. Bullock next followed In stirring address,
after which additional subscriptions read from diff
eren parts OF the Union one from John sen OF Macon
Ca gave to advance the objects OF the Centennial
and to aid in cementng the bonds Of union between
the States" DIR. George b. LOring delivered most eo-
quent and pathetic address, which his ringing rem
dered doubly effective. At the close OF DIR. LOrings
speech neat tabeau was produced; the curtain at the
Of the stage rolling disclosed the famous City
Troop theirLttTacve uniform. drawn up In line across
tho stage, with the Washington Grays, favore in
fantry company, standing Immediately In the The
band started patriotic air. and the feeling OF the audi
aroused 10 the highest pitch and IA the soldiers
filed OH the stage they greeted with hearty cheers