Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-05-18
Proceedings at the Opening OF the
Centennial Exposition.

| The morning Of the 10th. IN Philsdelphis,
was very rainy, bat by ten o'clock the
clouds had dispersed, and the weather was
| clear and pleasant. The city was crowded
| with vieItors, and the number Of people In at
tendance upon the opening ceremonies of the
| Centennial Exposition Is estim 4tef TO have
been in the neighborhood Of 10000. The
streets Of the city were all ablaze with flags,
and the patriotic decorations were numerous
| and fine Public bindings, stores, churches,
colleges, railroad depots, parks and private
residences were literally covered with flags,
banners, statuary and devices. Flags OF all
natl ons were floating In the breeze, but con-
spicuous above them all waved the Star
! spangled Banner.
| At TIE Exposition grounds spacious
| platform had been erected at the side OF
Memorial Hall, north Of the center Of the
main building. and seats were arranged on
! the platform for official and other invited
guests
At eleven o'clock President Grant and his
| party, accompanied by numerous Govern
| meDt officials and other prominent indiyid.
| uals, proceeded TO the platform, the Presi-
| dent having been escorted 10 the grounds by
GOV. Hartranft. At the right OF the center OF
the platform were seated the President OF the
| United States and the members Of the Cabinet,
and further 10 the right were the seats OF the
| United states Senators, members Of the
/ House Of Representatives, the Govern.
ors Of the various States, with their
staff, the Governor Of Pennsylvania,
and State officers, the State Supreme Court
and the Legislature, and representatives OF
the army aud navy, the Smithsonian Insi.
iute, United States Judges, officers Of the Tx.
ecutive office and the bureaus and members
| Of the WoInan's Centennial Committee. On
| the left Of the center were the seats OF the
| United States Supreme Court, AID further 10
1 the left, the seats OF members OF the Diplo-
| matte Corps ard mem bers Of the Centennial
| Commission, the Board of Finance, the
Woman's Executive Committee, Foreign
Commissioners, the Mayor, Council and other
| officials Of Philadelphia, Mayors Of other
| Cities State Centennial Boards, the Board OF
| Award, and along the front OF the platform
were seated the members Of the press.
| The orchestra Of $50 pieces and a chorus OF
| 900 voices, under the direction of Theodore
| Thomas and Dudley Buck, were stationed
| directly in front OF the platform, at the side
Of the Main Building.
| The platform was at once crowded, and
| all the surrounding space and ali the avail
| able points Of elevation in the neighborhood
had been already occupied by crowds Of Wis
! itors.
| Inc OTcnfbIa, Whne the sehLS were DelnR
| secured, played National airs, and after the
party ON the platform had arranged them
selves, played WagnerSs Centennial March,
which was received with applause
After the opening prayer by Bishop Simp-
son, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the singing Of Whittier's Centennial Hymn,
the presentation Of the buildings took place,
| the Board OF Finance, with appropriate
| speeches and ceremonials, turning over the
| buildings To the Commission. ittlA
Next followed the singing OF Sidney Lam
| ier's cantata by o full chorus, accompanied
| by the orchestra The applause OF the vast
crowd was enthusiastic, and portions OF The
| music we're encored. 8G E
The presentation OF the Exhibition TO the
President Of the United States by President
ilswley, Of the United states Cor,mission,
| then followed, President Hawley making an
| elaborate and heartily-spplauded speech.
When President TRAM rose TO respond, he
was greeted with enthusiastic and long con-
unucd applause. He then read his response,
as follows:
II has been thought appropriate, spon this
Centennial OCCASION, to bring together IN Phila-.
detpbia, for popular inspection, sps cfmens OF
our attainmcnts In the industrial ana fine arts.
and In literature, science and philosophy, Us
well az In the great business Of agriculture, ana
of commerce, that we may more thoroughly APP
preciate the excellencies and deficiencies OF our
achievements, and also give an emphatic ex-
pItrFiuu /" our tsIbtst Htslft W cultivate
the friendship Of our fellow. mbers OF
this great family OF nations. The en-
iightened agricultural, commercial and man
niacturing people OF the world have been
invited to send hither corresponding
specimens OF their skill, 10 exhibit on eausi
terms. n hiendiy competition with our own. To
this invitation they have generously responded,
and for 60 doing We tender them our hearty
thanks. The beauty and utility OF the conlribn.
lions Will this day be submitted TO your inspec-
ton by the Managers of this Exhibition. We are
glad 10 know thar view Of the specimens Of the
skill Of all nations will Afford 10 you unalloyed
pleasure, as well ~ yield 10 you valuable prac.
ticsi knowledge OF the remarkable resaiis OF the
wonderful skill existing in enlightened communi-
ties One hundred years ago our country was
new, and but partially settled. Oar necessities
nave compelled us to chiefly expend every means
and Time IN telling forests, subduing prairies and
building dwellings, factories, ships d cks, ware
houses, roads, canar, machinery, etc. etc. Most
~ our schools, chm ches. libraries and asylums
have beea established within hundr, a
years Bnrihened by these great primal
works OF necessity which could not be delayed,
We yet have done what this Exhibition will show
In the direction OF rivaling older and more Ad-