The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-19
\ vtrgintan's Impressions OF Phiia.
de'paia and her areat Centennial

n Ttrgtntan's Impressions OF Phiia.
de'paia and her 1reat Centennial
Richmond knights Oh their way 10
Bosom.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
PHILADELPHIA, June, 1875.
"Passing to aud tro over the earth. and
going up aud down 10 It," the writer finds
himself waited by sudden aud propitious
winds to this great city Of Bro,herly Love
great in her wealth md resources; great in
ner teeming congregation OF citizens; great
in the magnitude Of her public improvements,
the success Of her private enterprises, the
imposing grandeur Of her public buildings,
and the splendor OF her private establish
ments ana great.in the true source Of all
her greatness-that tnconquerable energy OF
her people which acknowledges no barriers
to success. heSitates at no difficulty, and
laughs at defeat.
Such are the impressions produced upon
stranger after stay Of several days among
these people, and such the voluntary tribute
of q true Firgnian-true in the dire strug-
giles OF the past, true In the new issues Of
the present--who has during this time visited
her public buildings, drove through her
beautiful parks, steamed up and down Der
grand rivers. traversed again and again ner
pretty streets aud her extensive private rail-
ways. mixed with her businessmen and
public citizens, and enjoyed the open
handed hospitality of her warm-hearted peo-
pie.
Your correspondent could ill columns
with interesting details Of men and things
which would impress your southern readers
who have not been this far North, but will
for the present particu!ariZe only on the
great International exhibition, with which
this people are to celebrate the one hun-
dredh birth-d day Of the nation, and the sue.
cess of which is as certainly assured as
though the i've million people had come and
gone, and lett their ten dollars apiece in this
city.
In nothing is the energy, enterprise, and
great resources OF the people so strikingly
manifest as in the pressing forward OF this
stupendous scheme in the face Of so many
and formidable obstacles. have walked
over the grounds, picked my way across the
huge blocks of granite, the great iron CIR
dies and heavy timbers that lie everywhere
around and through the unfinished buildings,
where buudreds Of busy workmen are heay-
ing, chopping, saving, bammeriDg, digging,
and buliuiug, and must say that aul as much
amazed at the greatness Of the undertaking
as at the spirit That planned and the will that
executes is rapidly advancing it to speedy
completion. There are five buildings-the
main building. the art gallery, machinery
building, Horticultural building, and ag-
ricultural buildng-all splendid struc-
tures-the largest covering nearly TWENTY
one and half acres, and the whole the i'm.
menSe area Of thirty-four and three.quarter
acres. The cost OF their construction Is
estimated at 100000 900. The location is in
Paramount Park, on the banks Of the Schuyl-
kill, in the midst of the most beautiful natu-
ural scenery | have ever beheld. The
buildings are graceful at once, and mas.
s,ve in their architecture, and well calcu-
lated 10 excite the admiration Of visiting Nd
| tons and the pride Of our own. The aSri-
| cultural building is magnificent structure,
| with high dome surmounted 10y statue OF
| Liberty, built with an especial eye to dura-
| pllity, as it is designed for the memorial
building" The material is brick, granite,
and iron, and it is to stand until another
century rolls around 10 offer to the UNBORN
generation who shall then occupy cur
places a suitable building, with hallowed
memories, for the holding of their centen-
aial. The whole work is being rapidly
pushed forward, and it is expected to be
! ready for the reception Of contributions by
the lst OF January, 1876. l would like to
mention many other interesting facts which
come under my observation in this connec.
ton, but must stop here and hasten TO the
rendezvous appointed with the Richmond
Commandery OF Knights Templar, which is
en- route to the Bunker Hill centennial at
Boston. If time can be snatched from the
round of festivities there l will give you
some account of the way Boston does cen
t.,njsl BoTETOURT