Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-20
The Centennial Excursion.
THE SATURDAY BANQUET.

The BANQUET.
The President and Cabinet, the Judges of
the Supreme Court, members OF Congress
and Journalists who visited Philadelphia at
the invitation of the Centennial Commission
were, on Saturday morning driven TO the
Centennial grounds, and after several hours
spent IN inspecting the buildings, were en-
tertained in horticultural Hall, which was
decorated in finished and artistic manner.
About one O'Clock the Presidential party
arrived and entered the room, led by Secre-
tary Chandler. Mrs. President Grant was
escorted by Mr.. u. W. Childs, and was fol-
lowed by Secretaries Bristow and Robson
AT halfpast two O'Clock the assembled
guests sat down TO the bountifrIly spread
table, Hassler's orchestra performing the
Centennial Reception March. Mr. John C.
Bullitt presided; Bishop Simpson, of the
Meth odist Episcopal church, said grace. At
the close of the banquet Mr. Bullitt explained
the dimensions of The Centennial buildings.
and said they would cover more ground than
those OF any exhibition ever given in modern
times. Already more than one half of the
space has been taken by foreign govern
ments Speaking ofthe cost, be said ii would
be S6,12i,eS0. What was needed TO complete
the work was 81 49, ,1i0. The speaker urged
upon The representatives of the governments
TO consider the importance OF the exhibition
and TO afford the means necessary 10 finish
the work.
THE ToAsTs AND RESPONSES
To the toast, The President of the United
states" President Grant simply bowed.
and declined 10 make speech. Chief JUS
J.
preme Court Of the United states" He
thanked the people o. Philadelphia for the
handsome reception rendered, and trusted
The great event about TO traRspire would
ate OF the United States" was resp oadcI 10
by Senator Merton, of Indiana. lie said
that Philadelphia and Pennsylvania had
done all they could, and he believed that tue
otheI states Of the country would come for
ward Z the exposition was carried out, aud
ne GaQ 10 doubt that 10 would be. The gen.
eratiOns yet 10 come would cherish our mem
mOries as We cheri she'd those OF our ancestors
OF one hundred years ago. Hon. John Han
cock, OF Texas, responded 70 the toast, The
House Of Representatives" The difference of
opinion between the two sections, he said,
Lad passed away IN the great desire % help
the patriotic movement which would take
place next year He expressed establishment
at the great progress made on the buildings.
Governor Bedle, OF y. J.. responded 10 the
toast: ''The Governors of the United States"
He said the government was right 10 leaving
the people TO do the work at first, bat now Il
was time for Congress TO take p9rt in the
great exposition. New Jersey, said the
speaker, had furnished one fifteenth OF the
sum asked, and the government should now
come forward at this time and do rs share.
Agriculture, the base OF ,he prosperity OF
the DatiOn," WAS the next Sentiment. This
was responded TO by Hon. {. Henry Harri-
son, OF Illinois. Commerce, the handmade
of all other industries in exchanging COM
modities among our own people and with
foreign nations" was responded to by Hon.
James u. Blaine, who made q witty address,
closing with complimentary remarks 10
Pennsylvania and what she had done during
the century now drawing 10 an end. "Min-
ing-it furnishes the fuel that supplies the
furnaces and FORCES for our manufactures
and mechanical Industries; for agriculture il
provides the material for its implements,
and for commerce the gold and silver neces-
sary in the exchange OF our products with
the nations OF the world" This toast was
responded TO by Hon. George Bancroft in an
appropriate address. John Welsh, ESQ.,, and
Ex-Governor Hawley then made addresses
bearing on the Centennial, after which the
banquet was brought 10 close.
The majority OF the gentlemen from Wash
iDgton returned on the O'Clock train, which
started from the hall. General Grant and
other dignitaries remained over TO attend
reception given by the Saturday Night club.
FIRE.
While the guests were visiting the build
ings noticeable event occurred In the par
tial destruction by fire OF the famed sSweet
Briar Mansion" in the park, a centennial
landmark, erected about l763, and occupied
during the revolutionary war by a tory gen.
eral, but after that time by merchant OF
Philadelphia, then by a farmer, until the
city took possession and made the place a
portion Of Paramount park The IRE orfgi-
mated from a defective fue. and proved quite
disastrous, but the building VIII be restored
TO Its original condition before the exhibition
| opens.