Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-04-20
AT LEXINGTON,

LEXINGTON, April 1S.-'The inaugural
exercises of the great centennial cele-
brstion properly began this evening in
the town hall, including the public SER
vices and discourse by Rev. VIM.
Adams, of New York, and the music
rendered by large chorus and military
band. The hall was densely pack and
hundreds were unable to gain admission.
The exercises were Of religious order
and were exceedingly impressive, and
the address of Mr.. Adams was listened
to with wTapt attention. After the
opening performance by the BracUon
band, they Withdrew to D mommoth
tent, quarter Of mile up Main street,
where they gave a selection of sacred
pieces. The performance tent was well
filled, hundreds having come in on the
trains and by private cOnveyanees. The
finishing touches have been put upon
decorations and the whole town is one
flutteriDg mass of flags, banners and
streamers. Every ancient landmark is
denoted and its connection with historic
events of the great day. That tomorrow
is to be celebrated is plainly marked by
the notices and inscriptions. The grand
tent stands at the right of little knoll
on which the seventy embattled farmers
stood, and directly opposite are the
press heads, located in house which
dates its erection previous to the nine
teenth OF April, 1775. It is gaily deco
rated and inscribed with the words,
zone OF the original witnesses of the
nineteenth" The day has been fine,
ground dry and walking good airchilly,
but otherwise everything betokens a
fine day for eliminating the celebration.
LEXINGTON, MASS, April 19.-The
population of Lexington is twenty-five
hundred souls, and it is estimated that
there are already ten thousand people
here. The train leaving Boston at twen-
ty minutes past nine O'Clock this morn
ing took seventeen carloads, and three
thousand people were at the depot wait
ing for transportation, while hundreds
at the stations all along the route were
unable to get on board.
There are from forty to fifty thou
sand people here, and it is impOs-
sible to go anywhere. Promptly at
ten O'Clock the ceremonies in the tent
began, the immense pavilion being
crowded to overlooking, and thousands
are surging about the entrance, unable
to gain admission. A raw, cold wind
has prevailed from the east since nine
o'clock, rendering 1t extremely uncom-
Portable and testing the patriotic enthu-
siasm of the vast multitude to the very
utmost. At ten O'Clock the superintend-
ent of the Lowell railroad telegraphed
to Boston to sell ne more tickets for
Concord, the single track being so
blocked up with immense trains that it
was impossible to transport them beyond
this point. To this fact Lexington is in
debted for several thousand strangers,
who are compelled to remain here for
want OF transportation. President Grant
will arrive at the battle-ground, on his
way from Concord, by carriage, at two
o'clock this afternoon. He will here
lneet the head Of the procession, which
cNuntermarches and passes in review,
after which it will be dismissed and all
will go for dinner. The procession will
undoubtedly be large. Some Of the mil
itary companies announced are not here,
but several not expected are here.
With the thermometer at twen-
ty, a cloudIess sky ushered in the
nineteenth of April, the auniver.
sary of a glorious day for America.
One hundred years ago, at five o'clock,
the old town was instinct with life and
hustle, and with the ringing Of bells and
booming of cannon. Imagination real
ly recurred to the distant past, when the
embattled farmers stood upon the green,
resolved, that if there must be war, it
should begin here. Long before day
carriages and wagons, we'll filled, and
pedestrians, began pouring into town.
Booths and eXtemporized restaurants
went up on every corner. At nine
o'clock in the morning the whole town
was alive with the moving, bustliDg
crowd Of humanity, and muster-tents,
with their gay decorations, flags and
streamers, futtering from every house,
presented most cheering and inspiring
aspect. The arrangements, in every
particular, were most complete. The
monster tent, in which is to be served
a grand centennisl dinner, presents a
striking appearance, and is the most per-
fectly arranged and literally supplied
ever seen on a public occasion. 1t is
four hundred and ten feet long, and sew
enty feet vide, with central wing one
hundred and fifty feet long, with plates
for three thousand seven hundred and
forty persons. Every seat had been dis.
posed OF this morning, and the most ex-
trsvagsnt prices were asked and offers
made by those who had and those who
had no tickets. The main tent, in which
the Oration, unveiling of statues, ETC.,
take place, is provided with seats for
four thousand, every one of which is Sc
cured. The first train from Boston came
crowded, and from all the adjoining
towns hundreds are swsTming to the
scene. The genial rays Of an April sun
are fast bringing the temperature to 9
pOiut Of enjoyment, and everything be
tokens a splendid day and a glOriOusly
successful affair at Lexington.
AT BOSTON.
BOSTON, April lS.-The city Is literal.
ly deserted, thousands having gone tC
Concord and Lexington, while addition.
al thousands crowd the railroad depots
unable to buy tickets or find transporta
tion, Business is almost entirely sus
pended. The legislature, governor and
staff, and nearly all the military com
psnles, left early this morning.
Centennial services were held q
the Old North Church tonight