The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-05-18
JOHN WELSH,

And, cast in some diviner mold,
Let the new cycle shame the old.
JOHN WELSH,
President of the Centennial Board of
Finance, then formally presented the
buildings to the United States Centen-
NAL Commission.
Sidney Lanier's cantata was then sung
by the chorus, accompanied by the orch
| estra and organ, when
GENERAL HAwLEY,
on behalf of the Centennial Commission
presented the exhibition to the Presi-
| dent in a speech.
PRESIDENT GRANT RESPONDED
by briefly proclaiming the opening.
His speech WAS as follows
1t has been thought appropriate up
on this Centennial occasion to bring
together in Philadelphia, for popular in
spection, specimens of our attainments
in the industrial and fine arts, and in
literature, science, and philosophy, as
well as the great business of agricul-
thoroughly appreciate the excellences
and deficiencies of our achievements,
and also give an emphatic expression to
our earnest desire to cultivate the friend
ship of our fellow members of this great
family of nations. The enlightened ag-
ricultural, commercial, and manufacture
ing people of the world have been invi-
ted to send hither corresponding speci-
mems of their skill, to exhibit on equal
terms, in friendly competition with our
own. To this invitation they haze gen.
erously responded, and for SC doing we
tender them our hearty thanks. The
beauty and utility of the contributions
will this day be submitted to your in
spection by the managers of the exhibit
ton. We are glad to know that view
of the specimens of the skill of all ma
tons viii afford to you an unalloyed pleas
ure, as well as yield to you valuable
practical knowledge of the remarkable
results of wonderful skill existing in en-
hghtened communities. One hundred
years ago our country was new and but
partially settled. Our necessities have
compelled us to chiefly expend every
means and time in telling forests, SUBJ
DUNG prairies, and building dwellings,
factories, ships, docks, warehouses,
roads, canals, machinery, etc., etc. Most
of our schools, churches, libraries, and
asylums have been established within
a hundred years. Burthened by these
great primal works of necessity which
could not be delayed, we yet have done
what this exhibition will show in the di-
rection of rivaling older and more advan-
ced nations in law, medicine, and theo-
logy, in science, literature, philosophy,
and tie fine arts. While pr oud of what
we have done, we regret that we have
not done more. Our achievements have
been great enough, however, to make it
easy for our people to acknowledge sup
erior merit wherever found and now,
low-citizens, I hope 6. careful e1ami-
nation of what is about to be exhibited
y y
profound respect for the skill and taste
of our friends from other nations, bet
also satisfy you with the attainments
made by our people during the past 100
years. I invoke your generous coop
Grafton with the worthy Commissioners
to secure brilliant success to make the
stay of our foreign visitors, to whom we
extend hearty welcome, both profitable
and pleasant to them. I declare the
international Exhibition now open.
THE FLAG WAS UNFURLED,
and while the Halleluiah chorus was
sung the foreign commissioners passed
into the main building aud took their
positions before their respective sections.
| The President with Director General
Goshorn, followed by the Diplomatic
Corps and all the other distinguished
guests Of the day passed into and throuhg
the main building, the foreign commits
sioners joining the procession. Mean
while, the open space between the main
building and Machinery Hall was chok-
ed with people, regiment of soldiers
guarding the way. The bells chimed,
bands played, the artillery of Georges
Hill, a mile distant, commenced firing.
| The President backed by the procession
crossed into Machinery Hall, where he
started the great Corliss engine, which
set In motion eight miles of shafting and
thousands of machines, and the exhib BIZ
then held a levee in the Judges hall,
where he received for an hour. All re-
straint being removed, the army of visi-
tors entered the buildings and common
ced peering at the exhibits. The
ground outside was wet and muddy, and
the floors of the building were dusty.
These conditions produced soiled skirts
and dirty boots, and these in turn pc
| vishness all around. Many grumbled
| because the exhibition was so far from
completion. The buildings and ground
were full until the closing hour. 6 o'clock.
About o'clock the rain commenced
pouring, and the multitude went home
dripping; but they had seen the opening
and were content. The receipts at the
gate would fall far short of compensat-
ing for the damage done to the grounds
and to the spring bonnets and elegant
dresses. Independence Hall and all the
public buildings and stores, and almost
every private residence in the city were
hung with flags, and will continue to