The New York herald., 1875-10-22
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.


THE REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE WEST VISIT
THE GRoUNDs-ENTHUsIAsrIc SPEECHES Ar
THE BANQUET BY SENATOR SHERMAN, Gov
ERNoR-ELEcT HAYES, GOVERNOR HENDRICKS,
OF INDIANA, AND EX-GOVERNOR BIGLER
PHILADELPHIA Oct p, 1875.
The complimentary excursion TO the Centennial
Grounds rendered by the merchants OF Philadelphia to
the leading editors merchants and public officials Of
the West and Northwest, took place to-day. Il was
projected for the purpose of showing the visitors the
advanced state Of the mammoth buildings whose
near approach to completion is matter OF
wonderment to all who visit them for the first
time, and of imbuing them with the necessity Of in
creased interest in tho Centennial movement the
part OF the citizens of the portions OF our
country. The visit in every way. Tho
weather delightful the drive through the city,
Fairmount Park and the Centennial Grounds was
thoroughly enjoyed by alt The tour of the several
buildings, OF which, Machinery Hail. Is now COM
pleted except IN interior decoration and three others
nearly so, evoked the warmest expressions of com
mendation and astonshment from the visitors nearly
all or whom behed them for tho FIRST time. The
banquet at Belmont-to which all brought appetites
sharpened by the invigorating air of the Park-was
equally harmonious and successful and tho
speeches Of the distinguished guests breathed a spirit
OF enthusiasm which showed them to be thoroughly
inocuated with patriotic determination to make the
international fair which is to commemorate our one
hundredth national birthday a complete and glorious
exposition Of our prosperity and progress.
START.
At about ten O'Clock this morning 100 carriages
started from the Centennial Hotel containing besides
the large committee of Philadelphia merchants the
guests and other gentlemen.
AT THE GROUNDS
Arrived al the grounds the main Exhibition building
was first visited Hon. Thomas Cochran, Chairman oi
the Building Committee OF the Centennial Commission,
explained tho dimensions of the structure showed thai
its condition such that it would he finished four
months before it would be needed and gave various
other explanatory information. After visiting Ma
chnery Hall, tho Memorial Hall Art Gallery, the
Horticultural Building, the United States government
buildings and the various smaller structures, each and
all of which have before described guests
taken short drive through the Park to the Belmont
mansion where bountiful collation. had been pre-
pared, which the party-conssting OF three hundred
hungry men-sat down to enjoy Mr. Thomas $. Har-
rson, of the Committee OF Reception presided at
the principal table, and on either side Of him sat Gov
ernor Hendricks, OF Indiana Governor-elect Hayes
and Senator John Sherman OF Ohio; the venerable
General Robert Patterson, Hon. Morton MoMichael ex-
Va Snsbod gentlemen When tho good things had been
properly discussed and the coffee and cigars had been
reached, MT Harrison rose and Delivered speech OF
welcome, which was received with great enthusiasm
Senator Sherman spoke substantially as follows:-
SENATOR sHERMAN's SPEECH.
He regretted that his condition such that he
ould DO called upon speak for the whole people OF
the United States without notice. but he believed he
spoke feelings of all present when he said that the
preparations for the Centennial celebration of the
United States would make II surpass anything seen In
ancient modern times (Applauso,) II was already
fathers declared their independence here in this beau
tfnl park, was tho place of all others where
to Almighty God for 100 years of liberty.
(Appause) But there was one difference,
important one between this exhibition and that OF
any other government-they we're exhibitions con-
trolled and organized by the government by
the people. (Applause.). Complaint had been made
that government had held aloof from It so far.
This much TO be regretted as many thought,
he said but he had doubt that the governments
/ would come forward now. Everything would tend TO
make this the greatest of history. II would
heal up our national wounds, bring tho different sec
ons together bury all sectional STRIFE and wake the
national hymns that they had listened to- joined in and
heartily, by citizen of this great country ZAP
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS SPEECH.
Governor Hendricks of Indiana, being next called
upon, was received with three cheers He spoke in
substance as follows He proud be the repre-
sentative OF his State after the reception that had been
accorded the mention of her name She was the nine
teenth State admitted to the Union, and now. when
| Colorado was admitted, with her mountain love OF
liberty our Union would consist of Just twice as many
States and than twice much wealth as il did
then. Now, the question what Congress would do.
(Appause) Without taking any very exact consideTa-
! thought any nation competent to celebrate
I It's one hundredth birthday. Npplause.l And
/ appropriations an d give something for the Cen
tennial the people would say "Ameu." tCres Of
4
EX-GOVERNOR BGLER,
OF Pennsylvania was next called upon as representa-
tive OF the Centennial Commission In alluding to the
wonderful progress OF country within the century
he said that in the incumbency Of good old Governor
Schneider, of Pennsylvania. the fact that turnpike
had been constructed between Philadelphia and Read
ing made the subject Of solemn congratulaton to
the people Speaking OF the Centennial buildings, he
said with pride that their guests them to-day
they paid for. (''Good ~ and applausc) Only
| couple OF millions needed, and he hoped
that his hearers would lend their help realizing that
| what had been so well begun must be finished.
GOVERNOR ELECT HAYES.
Governor-elect Hayes, OF Ohio spoke folloWs-
He regretted exceedingly that by OF disease Of
his throat he utterly unable to speak at length Ho
delphla desired to impress upon them there was
doubt the guests would carry home disposition TO aid
and help In every possible way He not directly
authorized TO speak for Ohio but could venture TO
them that she will do her part and that VIII
astonish them by the numbers we VIII send here He
had her citizens who do not intend
here and Join in celebrating the fact that the house
which time divided against itself shall never
be so divided in the future
The next speaker the Hon ]. J. Bagley, Gov
ernor OF Michigan after whom followed Hon. f. o.
Stanard of ST. Louis; Hon S. u Pinncv, Mayor of
Madison, Wis. Hon. A. Newton, Mayor OF nes Menes,
Iowa; Hon Philip Speed OF Louisville; samuel =.
Thompson, of Baltimore; Hon. Joseph Warren, OF
of Cleveland; Hon. James Cushing Mayor OF Dubuque,
and Hon Guido Marx Mayoe OF Toledo These speak
all breathed the spirit of enthusiasm for the
Centennial Exhibition
At six o'clock most OF the guests departed in special
trains for the Centennial grounds.