Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-20

, beating OF drums, and an hour after sur
rise the inaugural feature Of the centennia
observance was concluded.
To-day the old town resOunded from en-
to end with music and reverberating ech
Of cannon, beginning with a salute Of on
hundred guns at sunrise, one for each yea
of American liberty. The day Opene
cold and clear, and the sun shOne with a
added brilliancy. The people were earl
abroad and the streets wero bright wit
gay uniforms and flags that Overspreat
them for miles. The town truly presented
a gala appearance. Many Of the house
we're most handsomely decorated. Tn
local company marched to the Fitcbbur
depot at half past eight, to receive thos
military organizations coming by the early
trains.
Crowds Pouring I'm from Every DireC
tiOn.
The crowds Of carriages and teams from
the neighbOring towns and villages begal
to arrive as early as half past six, and from
that time to noon there was hardly a cessa
tiOn in the stream of travel which seS int
the town from all directions. By 10 O'clOcl
there were, at the lowest estimate, 30,00(
people ia the streets along which the pro
cessiOn was TO pass. Most of the spectator
massed themselves in the streets and field:
near the Fitchburg depot, from which the
line was to start. Remarkably good OrdeI
was preserved.
The Grant Procession.
The procession was formed in five di
visions. The military companies began "a
arrive and form as early as 5 o'clock, and
| invited guests were promptly on hand. OF
the number taking part in the procession,
nc proper estimate can be made.
The Presidents Position.
President Grant spent the night at the
House of Z. r. Hoar, remaing there all the
morning till the time for him to take his
place in the procession. The first division
was given up to the State authorities
Gov. CASTOR aud Council, Judges Of the
courts and the Legislature. Presids mt
Grants position was in the second division,
| in company with prominent military and
naval officers of the nation, Judges Of the
Supreme Court, members Of the Senate and
House of Representatives and other nation
al officers. The President was seated in
an open carriage drawn by four horses, and
was accompanied by Vice President Viii
son. He bowed frequently to the people
/ on the sides Of the streets as he passed
along.
Moving Of the Procession.
The procession, which was about two
miles long, moved at ten o'clock, its route
being up Main street to the Square, thence
up Monument street, and over the Historic
road to the battle ground, where French's
monument to the minute men was unveil-
| ed amid the firing Of guns. The procession
was magnifcently brilliant, and was in
| five divisions. In the second division were
| the United States Marine Band and Con-
| cOrdi Artillery, as an escort to the President
/ Of the United States, Gen. Grant, accom-
| panied by Vice President Wilson, Secretary
| Fish and Gen. BabcOck. Besides these
were Secret tlries Belknap and DelanO, ex-
| Secretary Richardson, Postmaster General
| Jewell, Senators Dawes and Boutwell,,
| Gen. Bernham, Com. Nichols, Representa-
tives Burleigh and O'Neal, Of Maine, Hear,
| Of Massachusetts,, and others. Then came
the United States judges, Cows. DINGHY,
Of Maine, Weston, of New Hamp-
/ shire, Peck, Of Vermont, and IngersOll, of
| Connecticut, and Lieut.. Gov. Van Zandt,
| of Rhode Island, accompanied by the Port
] land Mechanic Blues, the AmOskeag Vet
| Grams, of Manchester, n. H.; Rutnam Pha-
| lanx, Of Hartford; Providence Light Infan-
/ try, Veteran Association, Gen. Burnside,
/ and the Ransom Guards, Of St. Adams, Vt.
In the other divisions were the Ma sa-
! chusetts Society Of Cincinnati; the Presi-
| dent and Fellows of Harvard College; the
Dean and Faculty of Harvard College; the
| committee Of the Massachusetts Grand
| Lodge of Free and Accepted MasORs; COun-
! Gil of the Massachusetts Historic Society;
| representatives of the New ENGLAND His
/ tOrical and Genealogical Society; official
! delegates from Acton, Bedford, Carlisle,
Chelmsford, Lincoln, LittletOn, Stowe,
| SunbUry, Arlington, Belmont, Beverley,
/ Boston, Bax, Bonn, BrOOkline, Burlington,
| Cambridge, Charleston, Danyers, Dedham,
| Everett, Framingham, Lexington, Lowell,
/ Lynn, Maynard, MedfOrd, Melrose, Need
ham, Newton, Norwood, Peabody, Peperell,
| Reading, ROxbury, Salem, SOmeTville,
Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Weston,
| Winchester and WObUrn, with the Acton
| MinutC-men as an escort, and the band of
the Grand Army Of the Republic; citizens
| of Concord, aHd citizens Of other cities
and towns.
and a General Dispersion.
On arriving at the grand tent, the Presi-
dent and other distinguished guests enter
| ed. An address was delivered by Ralph
| Waldo Emerson, a poem was contributed
/ by James Russell Lowell, and an Grafton
! by George VIM. Curtis. Before the ora
| ton was concluded, the clilliest Of West
/ winds began to blow, and during the ex-
/ tended remarks Of Mr.. Curtis, large pOr-
tion of his audience dispersed, while the
music Of many bands disputed with him for
| peoples attention. All the settees gave
way under the great pressure. The Presi-
/ dent left before the Grafton was concluded,
and was driven at his own request in pri-
vate carriage to Lexington, Gov. CASTOR
and staff going by train. The PEOPLE
crushed into the dinner tent a little before
o'clock. The day was excessively cold,
with snow falling occasionally. Judge L.
r. HOar was president of the day, and was
seated at the side of the great tent. On
his right were Mr.. Emerson, Rev. GTindall
Reynolds, chaplain of the day, and Gen.
Hawley, of Connecticut; on his left, Geo.
VIM. Curtis, orator of the occasion, Speaker
Blaine and Senator Boutwell,. The Gov
errors of the New England States occu-
pied, with their stats, a prominent posi-
tiOn.
The TOasfs.
FirS toast-by Mr.. HOar: The 10Th o.
April, 17T5.
In the absence of the President, Speaker
Blaine responded in a patriotic speech.
Paul ReYeres. ride was toasted, and q
grandson of Revere was called out.
Senator Boutwell, responded to a toast
and was followed by Cows. lngersOll, Of
Connecticut, Peck, of Vermont, and Ding
ley, of Maine.
Geo. VIM. Curtis responded for Rhode
Island and Gen. Hawley, for Connecticut
Judge HOar made an address, and to close
read a letter from Frederick Douglass
which breathed the true spirit Of the Occa
sion. This brought the exercises to q
close.
During the delivery Of the speeches, th'
day gradually grew colder and the people
slowly deserted the pavilion, until by tht
end Of the after dinner ceremonies not 1OC
people We're present.
The Grand Wind Up.
During the afternoon all the visitin!
military companies departed, so as to reacl
home early tomorrow, and by six o'clocl
. the village had assumed a somewhat de
serted appearance, when compared Will
= the $1,000 within its limits at noon. Th
crushing and croYding at the cars wa
! simply indescribable.
In the evening grand ball was given il