Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-11
PHILADELPHIA.
ObseFYances of the FOurth-FOrInaI
Transfer OF a Site for the Centen.
nisI Exposition building.

Transfer OF a Site for the Centen.
niaI Exposition Building.
Correspondence Union and American.
PHILADELPHIA, July 5.-The ga-lorious
Fourth is over, with all its attendant noise
/ an hustle, which mark the anniversary of
thst evert IN this locality. The timid ones
in our midst are Consequently rejoicing
that they can once more was tne streets
without being blown up by fre-crackers or
| pistols, in the hands of indiscreet urchins
| or reckless children of larger growth.
The day was ushered in by the ringing
Of bells and booming of cannon, and the
weather being clear, the streets were soon
alive with humanity, all anxious to have a
| pleasant time. The public buildings, and
many private residences, stores and fscto
ries, were handsomely decorated with flags
and bunting, and the continual popping of
crackers and pistols constantly reminded Us
| that we were celebrating nations birth
| day.
The first feature of the day was parade
of the Roman Catholic Total Abstinence
Beneficial Societies. At 6 O'Clock A. NJ. the
procession started, and after passing over a
| short route, they arrived at Independence
Square acout 9 A. NJ, where the Declare
ton of Independence and Patrick Henry's
great speech were read. The different So
cieties turned out in goodly numbers, and
made very grand display.
Independence Hall, which has been ar
ranged, as far as possible, in the same man
ner as in 1776, was thronged with visitors
during the entire day.
The great event of the day was the trans
H. h. E-y,,,,,;sssororc - h.
United States Centennial Commission, of
the portion of the park for the erection of
the Exposition building.
At 81 O'Clock the members Of the United
States Centennial Commission, the Park
Commissioners, members of councils,
heads Of departments, and invited guests,
assembled in select council chamber.
Among the distinguished guests present
were Hon. W. A. Richardson, Secretary of
the Treasury; Hon. W. w. Beiknap, Sec
rotary Of War; Hon. g. NJ. Robson, Sec
rotary Of the Navy; Hon. G. H. Williams,
Attorney General; Hon. G. Delano, Secre-
tary of the Interior; Gov. Hartranft and
staff, of Pennsylvania; Gov. Parker and
staff, of New Jersey; Gov. Davis, of Texas;
Gov. Washburn, of Wisconsin; Gov. Nc
Cormack, of Arizona; the Consuls of
France, Spain, Venezuela, Italy, Argentine
Republic and the Vice Consul of Russia.
The guests, on proceeding to Independence
Hall, were introduced to the Mayor by
Gen. Hawley, President Of the Centennial
Commission. The Mayor welcomed them
to the city in q neat speech. The company
then proceeded through Independence
Square to Walnut street, where they took
carriages for the Park, escorted by the First
City Troop.
On arriving at the park, the guests and
commissioners were escorted to the stand,
which had been erected at Lansdowne, the
place selected for the Exposition building,
and the exercises were opened with prayer
by Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist Epis-
cop9l Church. Hon. Morton McMichsel
then, on behalf Of the Park Commission
eTs, transferred the ground to Gen. Haw-
ley, as the representative of the United
States Centennial Commission, who re-
ceiVed it in few appropriate remarks.
Gov. Hartranft and Secretary Robson
then addressed the assemblage, after which
the First Division Pennsylvania militia
passed in review before the stand.
Then invited guests then resumed their
carriages, and were driven to Belmont,
where a banquet was served. The ban
quoting hall was very handsomely decora-
ted, and over the entrance were the dates
1776-1S76, formed of flowers. A grand
display of fireworks wound up the festivi-
tiles of the day. The spot selected was on
the level ground between Paramount Water
works and Lemon Hill, in the east |
Park, The exhibition consisted of thir- |
teen set pieces, interspersed with showers |
of rockets, roman candles, and colored |
fires. The closing piece was an allegorical |
figure Of America. 1t opened with dis |
play Of bombs and rockets, which changed |
TO the Goddess of Liberty, on a base COM
posed Of thirteen stars, and the figures |
1776. In short time the base disappeared, |
ard thirty-seven stars with the word Cen
tennial bust forth. Over the top was an |
eagle holding flag and olive branch, and |
the figures 1916.
We bad several showers OF rain during /
Inc day, but not sufficient to interfere with |
the pleasure of the occasion.
The number of accidents was large, but
not more so than usual on such occasions,
AID were mostly from the careless handling
Of pistols.
Only six fires occurred, and all Of them
7ery trifl ng. One of them, however. made
your humble servant jump around lively
or a short time, and our next door neigh
Dor is thinking of having new roof to his
lWelling. PHILADELPHIA.