New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-20
CENTENNIAL EXERCISES.
THE OPENING CEREMONIES.

AT CONCORD AND LEXINGToN-foRMATION OF
THE Observation-Disclosures PERSONS IN
lISE-MIIrARY REGIMENTS AND COMPANIES
SCENES OF HISTORIC INTEREsT-THE BATTLE
YIELD.
tBY TELEGRAPH PROM A STAFF coRREsroNDENTl
CONCORD, Mass, April 19.-The weather, which
threatened treoehery TO the very last hour before
dawn finally proved favorable to the people Of Mid
dlosex on the great day TO which they have looked
forward for years, and which has occupied all their
thoughts and energy for months The attendance
upon the celebrations, both at Concord and
Lexington, also realized their highest
snicipations, and nearly every feature Of the pro-
gramme was faithfully carried out at either place.
On the whole, however, the exercises at Concord
were much more satisfactory than those at Lexing-
ton. The population Of Concord to-day exceeded by
many thousands the number of all those who have
lived and died in the town in its lifetime of nearly
two centuries. Train after train on two railroads
discharged their cargoes of hundreds of people from
Boston, while vehicles of every description arriving
every minute from the neighboring towns, added TO
the size of the crowd. Long before o'clock, which
was the hour appointed for the process
sion TO form, the usually quiet streets
presented the appearance of the busy thorough
fares of a city. The scene everywhere
was brilliant and inspiring The flags displayed on
every house from improvsed agstatis and stretched
the streets the gay uniforms of the city sol
diers and the contrasting quiet colors OF those OF
the rural militia the moving tbrong of gayly
dressed women the placards inscribed with patri-
otto notices and lines of local history; the occa-
sonal booming of artillery; the continual Changing
of the brass bands, and shrill sounds of the old
fashioned fife, with rafting accompaniment OF
kettle-drum-all these things new and strange TO
Concord, created among the citizens and their rural
visitors nervous enthusiasm not easily described,
and combined to form an impression which many
years will not easily efface from the minds of those
whose eyes are unused TO such displays, and not
little novel and interesting 10 the bIdse sight
seer Of this much travelling age.
AT a. m.," SAID the programme, " the proces-
sion will be fonncd;' but, as every one knows the
forming of procession is not thing Of minnie
nor of an hour. However promptly it may begin to
FORM the completion Of the operation is a question
al time. The various organizations poured in from
so many dere mt points of the compass that at first
il looked as if few roads would have TO be Dor
rOwed for the purpose. The arrangements were,
however as complete could have been made and
by dint of squirting to and fro until the horses of the
aids reeked with sweat, order was brought out of
chaos much sooner than could have been eX-
pected. Everybody knew his place, or if
he did not, he alone responsible;
aud 30 the word March" heard
by the First Division soon after 10 o'clock The
crowd had distributed itself judicousy all over the
whole town, that every fence and stone wall was
properly supported. Every house which had piazza
was in demand, and every inch of the roof was
speedily covered. The thickest gathering was at
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and there il was difficult for
pedestrian to force passage. The old Provincial
storehouse where Mr. l.. A. Surrette had generously
made provision for some members of the press was
densely packed for it is in bend of the road, and
afforded larger view of the line than could be had
anywhere else in the village.
The procession as a whole really made fine dis
play, and, once started moved with gratifying ra-
pidity-somethng which may be perhaps III part
accounted for by the cold chilly weather. First
came as escort the 9Th Regiment, Col. Trull COM
nanding, with full 400 men, making fine appear
ance in their new uniform dOnned for the first time
On this occasion The President of the day, the
Cor, and the poet followed, Mr.. Emerson looking
very much il an Ulster an Old-fashioncd foot
stove would not be ont of place The Independent
Corps Of Cadets turned out escort to the Gov
crnor in greater numbers than when, under Capt.
Hancock, q little more than n century ago. the
corps went to escort Gen. Gage to the Province
House. The Judiciary was well represented, Chief
Justice Gray's rudy, goOd-natured face and mas
sive frame looming up in the first carriage. To the
Kewburyport Veteran Artillery Association was
given the honor Of escortng the Legislature, which
was remarkably well represented considering the
fact that they had TO walk. The Second Division
devoted TO the national authorities, and it was
preceded by the United States Marine Band, which,
however has not reached that high point of excel
]ence which is anticipated for it next year. if Secre
tary Robeson's programme is carried out. The Con-
cord Artillery followed escort to these high Of
fcials.
The Presidential party was Of course the object of
the greatest curiosity in the procession The first
carriage contained the President. Vice-President
Wilson, Secretary Fish, and Secretary Delano, and
the second Postmaster General Jewell, Secretaries
Robson and Belknap, and Col. Hamilton Fish, jr.
Tho President appeared at his very best. do not
remember ever TO have seen him much at ease in
public. He bowed pleasantly right and left all along
the route seeming to invite rather than repel APP
plause, as is too often the case But, however ell
thusiastic about the doings and relics of 1775 the
crowd was not demonstrative rs to the men and
things of to-day. There was faint cheering here
and there but not enough TO attract particu-
lar attention. There was moro evidence OF
disposition TO laugh at the eccentric features Of the
procession than 10 applaud at what is generally
esteemed the right place Indeed, the chafag made
n good deal more noise than the cheering. The man
who was received with heartiest applause was Gen.
cra Senator Burnside who appeared in the ranks Of
the Providence Light Infantry. His democratic
way of footing it, instead of taking seat in one OF
the carriages provided for distinguished guests,
seemed to please the rustics amazingly. Whenever
he was recognized there arose hurrah, which be-
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