Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-04-20
FIRST EDITION.
Lexington and Concord.

TIE CELEBRATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ORA
| TIoNs, POEMS. DINNERS, DANCING, STATUES
MUhIc, SOLDIERS, BANNERs, BUNTING, AND PA
| TRIorIsaT.
Tho Centennial celebrations at Concord anl
Lexington took place yesterday with imposing
civic and military ceremonies. The day was be
gun by the firing OF military salues then fol
lowed PROFESSIONS of military and civic bodies
and citizens, addresses by distinguished speak
| ers, the unyeiling of statues, banquets, etc.
AT Lexington, according to q correspondent.
the arrangements were not 30 arlstocratic as vi
Concord.
EACH TOWN HAD ITs
own demonstration distinct and separate from
the other, and there WAS 30 much rivalry be-
tween the two that at times it be-
came almost as unpleasant as the
severe cold. AT Lexington, statues of
John Hancock and Samuel Adams, (Which had
just been received from Italy) we're unveiled,
with an address by Hon. Chas. Hudson, and sub
sequently an Grafton was delivered by Richard
Henry Dana, Jr. The statues cost $4,000 apiece
that of Hancock is by Gould, and the other by
Milmore. Whltter's poem, written for the oc-
Boston. to the tune of "Autumn Sweet" and
after Danas Grafton, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe's
hymn was sung.
The banquet then followed, and speeches
wore made by Governor Chamberlain, of South
Carolina, Hon. II. Ii. Dana, Jr., Chief Justice
Gray, Gov. CASTOR, Gen. W. F. BARTLETT Presi-
dent Chamberlain of Bowdoin College, Mr.. Elliot
@. Cowdin of New York, and the Rev. Edward
Everett Hale. Mr.. Il. NJ. Stetson presided at
the dinner and made some fecitous introduce
tory remarks.
AT CONCORD,
after an address by Ralph Waldo Emerson and
the reading of poem by James Russell Lowell,
the address was delivered by George William
Curtis. At the banquet Hon. Il. II. Hoar presi-
ded, and first introduced Hon. Jas. q. Blaine,
II
vania has undertaken to pay back the debt which
she owes to New England for giving her Benja
min Franklin, a man who has national fame,
and right to speak for the people of the Uni
ted States"
President Grant and his party had stayed over
night in Concord, and they remained there un-
til the banquet began, when they drove over to
Lexington.
The correspondent of the N Y. Tribune has
the following details 1t is pity, but it is true
that
ALL THINGS DID NOT 90 WELL
in Lexington, though everything had been gen-
erously planned and well planned, too, il too
much had not been taken for granted The peo-
pie of Lexington manifested much ,impatience
Mt the delay of the President in arriving and
we're not little irritated at his going to Concord
first and giving them the second place. Right
ly or wrongly, they attribute this disarrange-
mept of their plans and the consequent mudde
Of the day to the influence of Judge E. II Hoar,
whose affection for Concord was shown on this
occasion by insisting on having a separate cele-
bration, refusing to unite the two towns, and
then in pretty much monopollzing the Presi-
dent for the use and behoof of Concord.
BEFORE THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED
at least half the invited gnests had divided the
Fat and lean of the banquet between them, had
licked the platters clean, and were standing on
Inc tables in well-tilled expectation. Great as
ihe preparations were, when the President en-
erred the dirner was bivouack mess and not
Inner at all. The procession WAS disorderly,
md nothing saved the day at Lexington but the
good management which made Of the morning
in the tent-the unveiling of the two
statues and the speech of Mr. Dana-a complete
success.
The procession at Concord passed Off well, and
moved rapidly, fact owing in part to the cold
Weather.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY
vas OF course the object of the greatest curios-
ty in the procession. The first carriage con-
aimed the President, Vce-Presdent Wilson,
secretary Fish, and Secretary Delano, and the |
Iecond, Postmaster General Jewell, Secretaries
iobeson and Belknap, and Dol. Hamilton Fish,
r. The President appeared at his very best.
do not remember ever to have seen him 30
much at ease in public. He bowed pleasantly
1gt and left all along the route, seeming to
INVITE rather than repel applause.
The man who WAS received |
WITH uEARTIEsT APPLAUSE
vas General Senator Burnside, who appeared in |
he ranks of the Providence Light Infantry. |
lis democratic way of footing it, instead of ta-
King scat in one of the carriages provided for |
guests seemed to plsase the RUS |
ics amazingly. Whenever he was recognized |
here arose hurrah, which became pretty |
oud cheer, rs when the General raised his old |
!rmy cap, revealing his well-known features |
more distinctly.
Gov. CASTOR of Massachusetts,, and Major |
len. Deyens,
WHOSE POPULARITY WILL ENSURE
liz candidacy for the next Republican Guberna-
oral nomination If his consent can be obtained, |
livided pretty fairly the favorable comments of |
heir fellow-ctizens assembled on this occasion. |
The Governor of South Carolina was looked for |
" many who failed to recognize him in the fine
ooblng, unobtrusive man, unattended by aids, |
Who occupied ono of the places of honor.
The attendance at the celebration far exceed |
I'd in point of numbers any possible expecta- |
ions The Lowell railroad officials estimate the |
of 100000 souls over the road to |
md from Lexington and Concord during the |
lay The weather was very cold and caused |
much discomfort