The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05
The centennial.
Philadelphia'S Fee Simple to the Nation
for Its Hundredth Birthday.
BrotherIy Love and the Bird
OF Freedom.
Formal Transfer of the Grounds in Fair
mont Park to the Centen-
NAL Commission.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
President Hawley HerOically Halls
the Worlds Jubilee of 1876.
General Grant "Hopes That the Fourth Of July
Will Receive q Good G0-0ff."
Addresses by Mayor S.okeley, Governor J.
II. Hawley and Morton McMichael.
Letters from President Grant, Secretary
Fish, Postmaster General Ores
~ we'll and Governor Dix.
General Grant "HOpes That the Fourth Of July
Will Receive q Good GO-Off."
Addresses by Mayor S.okeley, Governor J.
r.. Hawley and Morton McMlchael.
Letters from President Grant, Secretary
Fish, Postmaster General Ores
% well and Governor Dix.
The Fourth Of July in
a. Philadelphia.
PHrLAprI,PH1A Univ 4 1879.

PHILADELPHIA, July 4, 1873.
The Quaker City did not disturb itself to any ex-
traordinary extent over the great national ami
versary OF independence-that Is to say, the
streets did not look abnOrmally festive. The
great event which has fred the heart
OF the patriotic citizens has evoked
some ceremony and some en- enthusiasm and that Is
all. To-day the land in Paramount Park whereon
the American Centennial Exposition is to be held,
was handed over to the Commission ap-
pointed by act OF Congress. 1t was
derstood that the President would be
present, but the recent loss Of his parent caused
Ulysses to remain in sorrow at Long Branch.
The jovial and rubicund Robson, with his
sailor roll and his spectacles, was deputed
to represent the Executive, and arrived
here to-day. The impressive Belknap was also on
hand, with his bright blonde beard. Secretary
Richardson came. with his dropping mustache and
his air of military musing while Attorney General
Williams looked solemny, and was as silent as his
great master.
The people of Philadelphia boys included, did
not fire off as many crackers as usual to-day.
The weather was warm, and, perhaps, the
ceremonies at Paramount Park had some
thing to do with the unwonted abstinence
from patriotic pyrotechry. A garland of laurel
was hung around the marble statue
OF Washington, In front of Independence
Hall, which did not add to his beauty
This and q few nags were, during the early morn
ing. the only outward signs Of the great event. In
the morning there was meeting OF the veterans
Of 1912 in the District Court No. 2, where, &C.
cordng to custom, Alderman Hay presided
There were forty-twO OF these venerable relics of
a small war. and their ages ranged from seventy
five to ninety-one years. At two O'Clock
the old building which witnessed the
birth Of American independence, began to
witness something ese The Councils the Centen-
NAL Committee and the guests OF the day were
dropping in. The Council rooms up stairs and ad-
joining is the Select Mems room. Here the guests
assembled. 1t was curious to note them as
they shook hands, smiled and tried to feel
something OF the importance OF the &C.
caslon. Messrs. Shoemaker, King, Hall.
Smith and Fitzpatrick, OF the Executive
Committee, welcomed everybody right cordially.
Governor Hartranft among the earlier
arrivals he has tunerai air which dwells in his
black mustache, his dark eyes and raven hair.
He commenced to welcome people grmly. Gov
ernOr Parker. OF New Jersey, with three
epauetted members of his stan soon ap-
peared, and John W. FOrney, Dan Dougherty
the eloquent Henry c. Clay, the protectionist and
a hundred others trooped in. 1t was a bad time
for name selecting, since members OF
the Common Council had their names
announced with the samO awe as u
live Secretary of War; General George Cadwalla-
der, In white linen, looked like a remnescence of
Beau Brnmmell. Mayor Stakeley has q clean
shaven face and is inclined to rotundcy Of figure.
He was very busy all yesterday preparing his
speech will be found below in its place. There
were several ex-Mayors on hand who seemed
happy, nevertheless. Judge Kelly's deep bass
voice could be heard whenever he degned to
whisper, and Sam Randall smiled auspiciously
Senator Scott was present, but Tom Scott
was not which greved many very deeply This
handshaking ana smiling, it became evident could
not last for ever and at ten minutes to
four O'Clock General Hawey got up on
chair and called the assembly to
order. lie had simply to announce that
he would conduct the guests down stairs
and present them to the Mayor and the Com
mon Council Accordingly, the guests began to
file down the quadrangular stairs pass the
Old cracked bell and into Independence
Hall. Mayor Stokely stood In front OF the desk
used by John Hancock ninetyseven years ago, just
about where Jefferson was as he advanced with
the famous Declaration. They stood in
circle around az they entered, and,
although the Cabinet officers and the
Governor Of Pennsylvania were there it did seem
nearly q hundred years from 1876 Mr.. Morton
McMchael, a venerable gentleman, with a
slightly tremulous voice but good noow
Of words, and who is also an ex-Mayor
OF the city and President of the Park Commission,
advanced to the 'front.' and said-I have the honor
to introduce to you Secretary Belknap Secretary
Robson, Secretary Richardson and Attorney
General Williams, the Centennial Commission and
other distinguished citizens our guests.
The Mayor responded as folows:-