The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-07-20
The 4th in the Centennial City
PnILApELpHIA, July s. 1915

ago the "sage of Monticello sitting in q
house yet standing in good state of pre-
servation, at the southwest corner Of
Seventh and Market streets in this his.
toric city, penned that memorable instru.
ment, the Declaration Of Independence
which is yet the sheet anchor Of our ship
of state, the bulwark Of our freedom, and ,
it is to be hoped, will ever prove the true
palladium Of our liberties. The ninety
ninth anniversary tf our indepedence is
ended, and the last year Of the century
begun. Although the great bell that
rang out the first pcan of liberty a century
ago still hangs apparently mute and silent
in yonder hallway; yet little stretch Of
the imagination can yet nearly catch the
quivering echo of its notes as it sounded
for the tocsin Of freedom and, at the same
time, toled the death knell of British ar.
rogance and oppression. What associa.
tons Gil the mind as we step over and
across the threshold and plant our feet
within the compass Of the one hundredth
year of our history-the great natal year.
1NOt u HAui iiOu tlC dlDIlt lOluS
Of the American ensign as it floats over
the laud and over the sea, nor is her es.
cutcheon scarcely dimmed by the late as.
sault on her altar. History is silent when
it is attempted to present parallel to the
rapid growth of this great republic; and,
as Webster once said Of Massachusetts,,
"there she stands, look at her." so of this
republic, here she stands look at her and
let no impious hands attempt 10 deface
her. But to the celebration. 1t was
fitting that a great and demonstrative
celebration should be held here such an
one as would foreshadow the important
one 10 be holden the next year in this
great Mecca of liberty on this continent
at whose shrine the patriotism of the
North and South, the Fast and West will
revereDtially bow, as they gather from
the lakes Of the northern frontier, from
the shores of the Atlantic, from the broad
savanuas Of the South, and from the
golden gates and the coast of the Pacific.
A fitting locality was chosen, away from
the pent up atmosphere and dust Of the
vast city, out beneath the canopy of the
skies, on natures green carpet, in West
Fairmount Park, in and about the mas.
sive and imposing centennial buildings,
which are already assuming colossal
proportions. At sunrise the day was
ushered in by national salute being fred
by the "Keystone Battery" from off the
heights Of Georges Hill whose echo re-
sounded and reverberated through the
trees and among the rocky crags that
stud the eastern shore of the beautiful
Scbuylkill, that stretches itself through
the great park. At 8 o'clock nearly the
entire military force of the city formed
on the grassy lawn of Belmont Slope, and
were reviewed by Major. General Haw-
ley, of Connecticut, the president of the
Centennial Commission. As they passed
in review McClurg's famous cornet band
played Hail to the chief!' and the band
OF the % colored regiment played Hail
Columbia. The Girard College cadets
formed fine attraction to the parade, led
by three fine juvenile cornct bands. A
second attraction was the concert of the
children of the various grammar schools,
numbering three thousand the military
band played an overture, then Prof, Jean
Louis took his baton, and directed the
chorus, 90 native land peace be to
thee" "The Star Spangled Banner"
was sung, during which thousands of small
flags were Auttered in the breeze by the
children. Ground was broken for ne-
brew Monument in the park, to be dodi-
Gated to religious liberty. The statue is to
be modelled by Jewish hands, and the
marble will come from Italy. The Rabbi
speakers said the Israelites will be proud
of the statue, not as Israelites, but as
Americans
The Italians had. specific demonstra-
tion among the general festivities of the
day, 10 breaking ground for the site Of
monument to perpetuate the memory Of
Christopher Columbus. The Columbus
Monument Association headed by an
Italian band marched to the spot, after
the ceremony of breaking ground The
Italian national air, "Stella ConGdento,"
opened the exercises Chev. Alonzo NJ
Viii, Of Italy, consul at this port, deliver.
cd an address in his native tongue;
large part of his audience were ignorant
Of the language, yet when "Columbo" was
spoken cheers went up from the "outside
barbarians " An address was also de.
livered by the pastor Of the Italian
church of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi,
Of this city, which closed the exercises.
Next in order was the ceremony Of
breaking ground at the foot of Belmont
Hill. where is to be located Agricultural
Hail. the great building in which is to
be exhibited all the world can collect OF
interest to the tillers of the soil His
honor the mayor of the city used the
spade while band played the inspiring
piece, the "Star Spangled Banner
Next came the Germans with a specific
demonstration in the laying of corner
stone for colossal monument, 10 perpet.
uate the memory Of the great scientist,
Won Humboldt. The Mannerchor singing
society opened the ceremonies with the
Star Spangled Banner" after which
Hon. Charles .. heyser delivered an elo'
quent and soul.inspiring address in Eng
lish.
Now the Papists take hand in
specific demonstration, in breaking ground
for largo and beautiful fountain, to be
erected By the Catholic Total Abstinence
Beneficial Societies, in CONNIE moration OF
the one hundredth anniversary Of Ameri.
can independence The stand was occu-
pied by the officers of all the societies
attached to the Philadelphia union, by
the st. James band, and by the orators of
the day. The principal address was made
by the venerable and Hon. Joseph r.
Chandler.
Next in order was a grand choral con.
cert at o'clock p, NJ, in the great Ma
chinarV Hall structure hv sly hun1ral