The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-05-13

Nast nssenDiage. Nen. AnWley was ire
qucutly applauded, aud bis speech, given
below, will be read with interest. Presi-
dent Grant read his speech, the longest he
ever delivered, in tone of voice SO low
that he could not be heard three feet off.
PRESENTATION OF THE EXHIBITION TO THE
PRESIDENT.
Gen. Hawley made the presentation speech
turning the exhibition buildings over to the
President fthe United States. Gen. Hawley
said-Mr. President Five years ago the
President Of the United States declared il
fitting that "the completion Of the first cen
fury Of our national existence should be com
memorated by an exhibition Of the natural
resources Of the country and Their develop.
ment1 and Of It's progress in those arts which
benefit mankind and ordered that an exhi.
bition Of the American and foreign arts, pro.
ducts and manufactures should be held, under
the auspices of the government Of the United
States, in the city of Philadelphia, in the year
eighteen hundred and seventy.six. To put
into effect the several laws relating TO the ex.
hibition, the United States centennial com
mission was constituted, composed of two
commissioners from each State and Territory,
nominated by their respective Governors, and
appointed by the President. The Congress
also created our auxiliary and associate cor
poration, the centennial board of finance,
whose unexpectedly heavy burdens have been
nobly borne. A remarkable and prolonged
disturbance of the finances and industries Of
the country has greatly magnifed the task;
but we hope for favorable judgment Of the
degree of success attained. July 4, 1873,
this ground was dedicated to its present uses
Twentyo months ago this Memorial Hall
was begun. All the other one hundred and
eighty buildings within the Enclosure have
been erected within twelve months. All the
buildings embraced in the plans Of the com.
mission itself are finished. The demands Of
applicants exceeded the space, and strenuous
and continuous efforts have been made to get
every exhibit ready in time. By general con.
sent the exhibition is appropriately held in
the City Of Brotherly Love. Yonder, almost
within your view, stands the venerated edifice
wherein occurred the event this work is de.
signed to commemorate, and the hall in which
the first Continental Congress assembled.
Within the present limits of this great park
were the homes OF eminet patriots of that era,
where Washington and his associates received
generous hospitality and able counsel. You
have observed the surprising beauty of the
situation placedat our disposal In harmony
the enterprise by the State, the city, and the
people individually. In the name OF the
United States you extended respectful and
cordial invitation to the governments Of other
nations to be represented and to participate
in this exhibition. You know the very ac-
ceptable terms in which they responded, from
even the most distant regions. Their com
missioners are here, and you will soon see
with what energy and brilliancy they have
entered upon this friendly competition in the
arts of peace II has been the fervent hope
of the commission that, during this festival
year, the people from all States and sections
Of all creeds and churches, all parties and
classes, burying all resentments, would come
up together to this birthplace of our liberties,
TO study the evidence Of our resources; to
measure the progress Of an hundred years;
aud to examine to our profit the wonderful
products of.other lands; but especially to Join
hands in perfect fraternity and promise the
God Of our fathers that the new century shall
surpass the old in the true glories of ciyiliza.
ton. And furthermore, that from the asso.
citation here of welcome visitors from all
nations, there may result not alone great
benefits to invention, manufactures, agricul-
ture, trade and commerce, but also stronger
international friendships and more lasting
peace. Thus reporting to you, Mr.. President,
under the laws Of the government and the
usage of similar occasions, in the name of
the United States centennial commission,
present to your view the international exhibi.
ton Of 1876.
ADDRESS or PRESIDENT GRANT.
At five minutes to IL o'clock President
Grant, amid great applause, delivered his
address accepting the trust. The President
said-My Countrymen 1T has been thought
appropriate, upon this centennial occasion,
to bring together in Philadelphia, for popular
inspection, specimens Of our attachments in
the industrial and fine arts, and in literature,
science and philosophy, as well us in the great
business of agriculture and of commerce.
That we may the more thoroughly appreciate
the excellenees and deficiencies OF our achieve.
ments, and also give emphatic expression to
our earnest desire to cultivate the friendship
of our fellow-members Of this great family Of
nations, the enlightened agricultural, com.
mercial and manufacturing people of the
world have been invited to send hither cor.
responding specimens Of their skill to exhibit
on equal terms in friendly competition with
our own. To this invitation they have gener.
ous!y responded for SO doing we render
them our hearty thanks. The beauty and
utility of the contributions will this day be
submitted to your inspection by the managers
of this exhibition. We are glad to know
that view of specimens of the skill of all
nations will afford to you unalloyed pleasure,
as well as yield TO you valuable practical
knowledge of so many Of the remarkable
results Of the wonderful skill existing in
enlightened communities. One hundred years
ago our country was new and but partially
oattlad nuE t.aoaa..f.aa k.,, IL
chiefly expend our means and time in Telling
forests, subduing prairies, building dwellings,
factories, ships, docks, warehouses, roads, ca.
nails, machinery, etc. Most of our schools,
churches, libraries, and asylums have been es.
tablished within a hundred years. Burdened
bythese great primalworks Of necessity, which
could not be delayed, we yet have done what
this exhibition will show in the direction ofri.
valing older and more advanced nations in
law, medicine and theology; in science, litera.
ture, philosophy and the fine arts Whilst
proud 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 superior merit
wherever found. And now fellow. citizens,
hope careful examination ofwhat is about
To be exhibited to you will not only inspire
you with profound respect for the skill and
taste of our friends from other nations, but
also satisfy you with the attainments made by
our own people during the past one hundred
years. / invoke your generous cooperation
with the worthy Commissioners to secure a
brilliant success to this international exhibi.
ton, and to make the stay of our foreign Wis
itors-to whom weekend a hearty welcome
both profitable and pleasant to them. de-
clare the international exhibition now open.