Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-10
The CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
Opening Ceremonies To.Dax

The CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
Opening Ceremonies To-Day.
PHILADELPHIA, May 10.-To-day being a
legal holiday in this state, all the places o.
business in the city are closed, aud bunting
is displayed in pro.Lsion on all the thor
oughfares, and to night there will be grand
illumination.
THE GATES OPENED.
The gates of the exhibition were prom NIL v
opened at a. m. Since that hour there has
been at all the different entrances continu-
Gus jam. The clouds, which had up TO a. IN
been very threatening, have now entireI y
disappeared, and the indications are that the
day will be extremely hot. The foreigu COM
miss1oners and other distinguished guests
are being seated with very little confusion,
their entrance being effected through the
main exhloltlon building, which will re
main closed 10 the general public until noon.
THE CEREMONIES OPENED.
AT precisely 1918 a. m, the national airs of
ali nations are being performed by tina large
orchestra.
IL is estimated 5000 people are on the
grounds, and the populace Is still pressing at
all of the various entrances. Every avail
able spot in The neighborhood of the grand
stand In front of Memorial Hall is occupied
Dy The crowd, who are now impatieatly
awaiting the arrival of the President OF the
United States who has just been escorted to
The main entrance by the military. Tie sun
is now shining brightly, and the mud ia the
streets ahd In the Exhibition grounds Is
rapidly drying.
THE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES
are now (ll:i0 q. M fully under way, II Is
thought mat fully $4,000 people are within
view oil tie grand stand.
IHE PRESIDENT, DOM PEDRO AND OTHER
DI7TiSGvisHED FOLKS
AT 80 a. NJ Dom Pedro arrived and was
escorted 10 bis seat 10y General Hawley. At
1913 General Philip Sheridan and wife pass.
ed over from the building to the stand in
ront OF Memorial Hail duTi " the rendition
ofi.Ee national airs, and he was greeted with
sIeat applause, which he gracefully ack-
Lowledged. He was closely followed by the
Hon J, q. Blaine, Senator Jones u1 Naeaao
and vile. "a ~'ofadd,
"A" llsH the President entered through Me-
mortal Hall, and was conducted to a seat on
the front OF the platform. Governor Hart
1aIfG, General HawleY and Hos. d. j. Nor
rill o. cupied seats on his left. while Messrs.
John Welsh and Goshorn We're on his right
Considerable amusement was caused by the
s1dden appearance OF Fred Douglass, who
had by some mlsSn2nce worked his way
through the crow, and was helped over the
ropes Dy oincefs and conducted 10 a seat on
the platform He was greeted with cheers.
THE PLATFORM
presented a fine appearance, as the diplo-
matte officers and attaches were in full uni
form, and there were many military men
from all parts OF the country present. The
orchestra was all in place before 10 o'clock,
and at precisely Is minutes past 10, Gen.
Hawley waved his handkerchie eff as a signal
for commencement of the national airs OF ali
nations. At 20 minutes past 10 the
EMPEROR OF BRAZIL
and party came to the platform and were
loudly cheered. The orchestra played the
Brazilian national hymn as he mounted the
steps, and was greeted by Gen. Hawley and
others OF the com mission. Tue Emperor was
In citizens dress, and wore decor alton con-
cealed under the lapel OF his coat. The
platform was by this time much crowded,
and many guests were unprovided with
seats. AT 10.4S the signal was given for th g
music 10 step, and minutes later
THE PRESIDENT,
escorted by General Hawley, advanced to
the front of the platform, and was loudly
cheered. The orchestra then played "Hail
TO the Chief" during which time the Presi-
dent shook hands with the Emperor and
other guests. The Philadelphia city troops
which escorted the President, filed down
from the grand stand and somewhat re-
lieved the pressure there. At 1886 General
Hawley gave the signal TO the orchestra,
which played Wagner's grand march. The
music clos at lilo, when General Hawley
az nounced that Bishop Simpson would in
woke divine blessing. Conversation ceasei,
and throughout the prayer the entire assem-.
blage maintained excellent order with the
exception Of some of the moe distant por-
lions.
Prayer by Rt. Rev. bishop Simpson.
Almighty and everlasting God, our hea-
venly ather Heaven is Thy throne, and
the earth is Thy footstool. Before Thy ma
Jesty ana holiness the angels veil their faces
and the spirits of the just made perfect bow
in humble alteration. Thou art the creator
OF all things, the preserver OF all that exist,
whether they be thrones or dominions, or
prtncipalities or powers. The minute and
the vast, atoms and worlds, alike. attest the
ubiquity of Thy presence and the omnipo-
tence of Thy sway. Thou alone art the Sow
ereign Ruler of nations. Tnou raiseth up
one and casteth down another, aud Thou
givest the Kingdoms OF the world To whom
scever Thou wilt. The past, with all its re-
cords, is the unfolding of Thy counsels and
the realization OF Thy grand designs; we
hail Thee as our rightful Ruler; the King
eternal, immortal and invisible; the only
true God, blessed forever more.
We come on this glad day, oh, thou God of
our fathers, into these courts with thanks
giving and into these gates with praise. We
bless Thee for Thy wonderful goodness in
the past; for the land which Thou gavest to
the ancient world, but revealed In the full
ness OF time to Thy chosen people, whom
Thou didst lead by Thine own right hand
through the pillows of the deep; land Of
vast extent, OF towering mountains and
broad plains. OF unnumbered products and
OF untold treasures.
We thank Thee for the fathers of our coun-
try, men OF mind and OF might, who endured
privation and sacrifice, who braved multi
piled CANCERS rather than defile their con-
sciences or be untrue 20 their God; men who
laid on the broad foundations OF truth and
justice the grand structure OF civil freedom.
We praise Thee for the closing century;
for the founders of the republic; for ths inn
mortal Washington, his grand associates;
for the wisdom with which they planned and
the hrmness and heroism which, under Thy
blessing, led them 10 triumphant success.
Thou vast their shield in hours OF danger.
their pillar OF cloud by day, and their pillar
OF IRE by night. May we, their sons, walk
In their footsteps and initiate their virtues.
We thank Thee for social and national
prosperity and progress, for valuable dis
coyeries and multiplied inventions, for labor
saving machinery, relieving the toiling