The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-12
THR NATIONAL CENTENNIAL.
Reunion Of Philadelphia and New
York Merchants IN the
Centennial City.
4 TouR 0 RSPECTDS OT TIE GROUNDS
A Fraternal Meeting and Stir
ring Speeches.


preparations for the nations great jubilee u
rouia moi have wished brighter day, bluer
SKY or a clearer oalmier atmosphere than made
happy tue excursionlsts 70 the Philad ephia Cen
tennla grounds yesterday The invitation was
not Issued as il generally supposed, by the Cen
tenula Commission, but by the merchants OF
Philadelphia VINO mad prominently Identified
themselves with the patriotic enterprise. Nothing
could be more cordial, more harmonious, moro
iraterna, in fac, than the reunion OF Philadel-
phia and New YORK merchants yesterday. 1t was
marked by :otal absence OF the spirit OF rivalry
ny hearty desire OF tne Philaaelphians TO do
everything that could enhance the pleasure and
comfort OF their guests ana by the great interest
ana delight OF the New York merchants in every
thing they on the grounds. Among the ex-
rGrsionlsLs we're ex-Mayor 0pdyke. william +.
Dodge, s b. Chi:tenden, Hugh J. Hastings,
Erastns BROOKS Mr. II. A. Rice, or Boston Sam
Dowles OF Springfield, Mass, and nearly two
hundred OF the most prominent merchants OF
New York, as well as q small number from New
England.
ON THE WAY TO PHILADELPHIA.
At ten O'Clock precisely the special train, pro-
vided by the Pennsylvania Railroad started from
Jersey city. Elk Governor Bigler and Colonel D.
J.. Strong we're, or course, the presiding genH
during tue excursion. The train under The
special charge OF George W. Barker. Superintend-
ent OF the New York division or the Pennsylvania
Railroad VINO was unremltrng in his EFFORTS 10
contribute 10 the enjoyment or the eXcurslonists.
The usual time for the trip from New York 70
Philadelphia is three hours put the excursionists
reached the Quaker city IN one hour and forty
eignt minutes.
on rHE GROUNDS
Wien, a. fourteen minutes to twelve o'slocK, the
iraia shot over the Junction railway bridge which
connects ihe East Park with the West Park, the
excursIonists greeted the Stripes and stars that
waved before them At every glance with .
LOUD and merry "Hurranu In two min
ntes, Al exactly twelve minutes to twelve
O'Clock, the train stopped at the Centennial
grounds. Every one was glad to alight,
and as they did SO they were cordially greeted By
she Philadelphia Reception Committee, who had
assembled in large numbers to bid a hearty well
come TO their New York guests. Beside the Phia-
delpnia merchants the leading members OF the
Centennial Commission. sucn as General Goshorn,
Mr. Welsh, the President OF the Board OF Finance,
John Baird and others did the hoYlneurS. The
scene was quite animated everybody shaking
hands wish everybody, everybody asking every
body CHOW are your and everybody telling every
Dody In what excellent health ne was when the
nrst exchange or greetings was over the hosts and
guests formed procession ana marched, TWO by
two, 20 the memorial building, or art gallery, near
ny, Every one OF the New Workers was perfectly
amazed at Its vast propo rtions and It's magnin-
cent outlines, and expressed himself highly
pleased with the chaste and tasteful style
q It's renaissance architecture. As the readers
a the HERALD know from the descriptions already
published in these columns il Is or white granite,
me gntest colored be procured in this country,
ana the effect i az beautiful as though Il we're
marble. Everybody mere knows A. I. stewards
marble residence. Wei, imagine a marble edidce
zen times as large and twice a. high, ana you
have a crude though geneTalidea Of It's sumpIuous
appearance.
From the Art Gallery the party marched 70 the
main edince, wnicn presented the aspect OF huge
frsnework that is yet 20 be filed 10 witn the glass
and ironwork that Is being completed elsewhere.
the comments made on the plan of this building,
a. lar a. Il was manifested In its present state,
we're also generally favorable everybody being as
tonlsned al the vast dimensions or the proposed
structure. Another walk through the grounds ana
over the yelvery tnrf brought the party TO the
machinery Hail whose stupendous outlines were
also generally viewed with admiration py the New
Workers. carriages we're taken 70 the Agricultural
Han, whlch IL situated Al some distance rom the
other buildings.
The scene - PARAMOUNT PARK.
The drive afforded ali the lavorite views or the
lovely scnuyiKilL sparkling IN the sunlight: OF the
me distant spires ana dOmes or the ctr Or Phila-
aeipbia, ana vas heartily enjoyed By the New
lorkera Many Or them had probably been IN
New Yorks celebrated Park only q few days
previously, and the contrast was delightful one.
me artificial beauties or Central ParA did not
meet the eyes or the eager New YorKers, but
less ornate, though SNIP n ana fresher, charm Of
natural Desuty deMgAte4 their vision. The view
nom Georges Hil more especially elected out
bursts OF entnus asm from many lover or the
beauaful The carriages stopped A. the Agricultural
Hail sufficiently long 20 afford = momentary view
OF tts outlines, and then proceeded straiRntWay
20 the belmont Manson, on the crest Of the hill,
n spacious cottage, almost embedded In MOWERS
and trees. IL was now two O'Clock, and almost
every member or the New York party was hungry.
Toe bright daI, the bracing invisoratng ar, tne
exercise on the grounds mad al contributed to
tbB fesut
The banquet took place 10 the dining bali o. me
Belmont Cottage. At the mead Of the room was
semlGireulAI table a. ne centre q wsses "a.
paia NORTH american, the chairman Of the
festive gathering. Immediately on mis- LETT sat the
whom were the Hon. william &. Dodge, ST., Of
New York, and Hon. Jonn welsh, President q
me Centennial Bos.a o sS Dreetop ps anerS
Gsoshorn, OF the Centennial Exhibition; the hon.
:. b. Uhittenden OF Brooklyn, and MAJOR General
Robert Patterson, OF Philadelphia
After ample justice mad been zone 20 the cola
ton, and As the coffee and cigars were handed
around, Mr.. McMicnsel rose and SPOKE ia SUB
fHE ADDRESS or WELCOME.
CITIZENS or NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND
The merchants OF Philadelphia with whom, -
class 10 has been my good fortune TO be associated
during many years, have done me the courtesy Oh
selecting me 10 occupy tBts chair, and OF asking
Ma 10 express 10 ron 10 words the welcome which
yOu nave already seen In the peasuTe-beamtng
eyes or those around you. aad felt IN the cordial
embrace. separated. a. your journey Of
fns morning has demonstrated, Dy Only
two snort hours OF distance. while con-
nected together By the closest community
or interests and still more oy tne sacred bond Of
common nationality New York ana Philadelphia
must be IN constant intercourse, and SHOULD be in
fraternal union. Mr. NcMichael continued at
some length IN an eloquent description
tcunlal Exhibition, ana sat down amidst
perfect storm Of applause and cheering. Ii was
some minutes before the enthusiasm auDsidcd,
and when u AID, not before three Cneers rad been
gwen Tor the speaker however Mr.. McMchael
proposed "rne health, long lie and prosperity u
our guestsn " was drunk standing vita three
cheeFs ana a tiger
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