Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1876-05-27

nate holders Of tickets To the oprnIn. cere-
n.onic> were early in their plrces, aud a. l.
usual IN such cases, about ten uaes ne many
rr.kc;, hal been issued a. there were seats
f,r ,h. people, or even Standing room for The
ya,r uuiritudr that surgcd. and fought. ana
sworc. choakiug every avenue, and ua'np'nS
down every obstacle. The ceremonies were
to lave commenced at hall past ten sharp,
bat OF course somebody was late without
whom the show could not 20 on.
At hi, rmr the scene was particularly
grand and imposing. Here gathered III
narrow space was me most magnificent assem-
blaze of distinguished men and women ever
cen on the continent OF America. Royalty
lent the SAVIOR of lis gracious presence. Dom
Pedro, The Emperor Of Brazil, was there, az
companicd 10y his excellent Empress, now
pa,,im. under the quiet title Of the Lady
AIacanria. On every hand there were poets.
painters. sculptor, historians, men aud women
eminent IN literature and art There were
reverend divincs, great merchants. dis'In-
gui,hcI scholars, and gallant soldiers whose
names are renowned from the rising To the
,cttiu. at the sun. All that art or wealth or
beaur; could contribute 10 add to the glory OF
the scene seemed to b" concentrated ia that
splendid and brilliant assembly. The Prrsi-
,icut Of the United States occupied a position
near the centre, surrounded by his cabinet
and the United States Seuate-a little TO the
lrr "a, the jidses Of the the Supreme Court
and the members Of the diplomatic corps.
Scattered along right and left were artists,
doctors, governors. genenerals and aldermen.
Our own sweet poet, Whittier had contribu-
ted the opening hymn. Richard Wagner,
the greatest living musician. composed the
Centennial March Theoiore Thomas, q. '"
most famous leader of his time, swayed the
magic biron One hundred and fifty OF tue
most sklliuI musicians composed the orches-
TN. 500 voices swelled in the magnificent
choir. As the President made hls appearance
ON rht. front OF Memorial Hall. surrounded by
hi, cabinet and the Senate, the orchestra
stuck up the grand Centennial March. Then
followed prayer by Bishop simpson, during
which the bo>rerous elements ut the crowd
,almued down so that you might have heard
a pin drop. Then followed Whittier noble
hymI, winch ! regard one of the most
splendid productions Of lis life. Then
,.anrata. b" Sidney Lauicr, OF GeorsIa, set tc
music by Dudley Buck. of Connecticut Nr.
Welsh the financial officer. made short at
dress. General Ilawlcy, the president. then
maic formal presentation oi the Exhlbion
M Il brief and well chosen. speech, alter
which followed short address by the an,
nouucrnent that the great tNhIhIilnn was
omen. The words had scarcely past his bps.
when it seemed "a If pandcmonlunl had
broken loose Cannon Doomed by the hun
dred: muSkets cracked by the thousand; pi>-
lols exploded 10y the million. Tie ground
fairly trcmbled, "a il ailrI-hred M the horrible
din Cheer upon cheer rent the an Men
and women went rushing about shaking
hands with people they had never seen be-
fore.
The japanese Ambassador gave smile OF
approla,ion, aud exclaimed belly bully, and
,nccrow ming glory Of the ceremonies, Handel $
grand halialuj,h chorus, gwen by 500 voices,
, made the wclkin ring with the SOUNDS o
Jubilee.
The Foreign Commissioners then passed
into the main hall, each standing opposite hi'
. division. General Grant accompanied by a
uu.erous coItcge, then crossed To the man
, hall. and passed through to the Machinery
. Hall.
The great Corliss engine, 1000 horse pow
cr. stood silent and still, "a If wanting the
magic touch that should wake i, to activi am
, lite. The president advanced. and laying In
hand on the polished lever, threw II easill
G,rward. In an instant there was an answer
me- thrill and viblaiion. The mighty piston
j. moved slowly toward. Then came the rccoil
. Faster aud faster tue Tremendous iron arm
! cl,avcs the AIR. Where all was quier an IN
f, slant before, all is now pctivity and lille
=, Wheels wlriZ. steam whistles roar, cannon
!, thunder, all sorts OF machines, conceivable an
inconceIvable. are set in busy motion, an
b. the Great Exhibition may be fairly said
!, have begun.
- The crowd then scattered all over III
grounds wherever iiIeir inclination lead.
= wc,,, down 10 Agricultural Hail, attracted b
4 the splendid exhibition in that de, artIneh
# [, is a world in itself. Will not attempt Il
!. day 10 describe anything there. Except IN
20. E.\y nuIal,le Unsuccessful was confusion an
>, chaos Near the iountaa was magnihcer
,. Oriental structure, erecie.i 10y the GeE Gov
n, Starch Company. This enierprsiug firI
IA, had engaged Beck's celebrated baud wh.c
=. d,>coursed most beautiful music all the da!
- in fact it was the only private band admitre
n in any of the buildings. But | feel that
n, must close.
n trust it will be no disappointment TO N
readers that nave made no attempt 10 d'
-, scribe a SINGLE Centennial building, or in ia
: TO 10 anything more IN the present letter tia
, to give III as few words a. possible, pas
,,. iny sketch of the principal events OF the day
>. while much l. described can only feel ho
., mucl. that is important, has utterly and e
~ t,rely escape,l me- Great men have pass,
IA by nc whose Games aud persons w"Ie u
r.. known: frigh,ful accidents have nrcurr,
~ without even a passing mention. MAJ
- brilliant societies, which on any other occ
nm sion would have created the profoundcst So
II, sarion. have been engulphed and ewaIiuw'
~ up in the presence Of spirits greater al
mo mght,er than themselves
nj For each aId al! Of these short conI'nss
II. will enieavor in the future to make amcn'
- lrmy readers will follow ne week by wceI
sd will do ,ny best TO lead Them though all {,
lao binding. of the great Exhibition, and ma
IN. them see. as far As they can, through my ey
, lis wonders lis glorrs. and lis maguIticr
a. collection of the arts Thi> know will ia
,ia many letters and months Of patient work a
no study. but with patience aud work, hope a
.re expect to accomplish II.
IN. In conclusion. let me say HAT in the nie
rts an ordinary man, there are few such days
.re any part of the world as the great day
ms have pist past through; no man liyIu= oG
al. continent OF America can reasonably exp
w. to see exactly such another. or even one
,od rnoleIy approaching it. as grand, inposI
ON aud magnificent spectacle. participated IN
rn hundreds OF thousands of people. and dist
ars guished by mighty names and characters Il
ar would be considered great in any country
NV cline. de- not say that there will not
red other grsa. na'onai celebrations ana exhI
nm lions, where kings and queens and enp"r
his will take part, aud millions OF people, zach
om by countless millions Of dollars, will comirI
: a ute everything that can add TO the glory OF
see pageant, and make it memorable inrevrf
AT Is not any of these Things that distinguish
in. Centennial day. Ii is not the splendor ct
sill procession, nor the snowy costumes, nor
lid. lavish expenditure of money. nor the mi