Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-05-10
The Centennial.

legal holiday IN THIS state, all the PAGES Ol
business 10 the city are closed, and bunting is
displayed 10 profusion on all the thoroughfares,
| and TO- night there will be grand illumination.
LOAN
| The gates of the Exhibition were promptly
opened at a. N. Since that hour there has
| been, at all the different entrances, Contln
| uous Jam. The clouds which had, up to I a.
| H., been very threatening have now entirely
disappeared, and the indications are that the
| day will be extremely hot. The foreign com.
missoners and other distinguished guests are
being seated with very little confusion, their
entrance being effected through the main tx
hibtion building, which will remain closed to
the general public until noon.
1925 a. II.
The ceremonies opened precisely at l0:l5
q. H., the national airs OF ali ~ ions being per
formed by the large orchestra. It's estimated
that 80, 900 people are On the grUundS, and the
ropu!acc Is still pressing at all OF the various
entrances. Every available spot 10 the neigh
borhood OF the grand saHd In front OF Memoir
ial Hall is occupied by the crowd, who are now
i'm patiently awaiting the arrival 81 the PrcSl
drnt of the United States, who has just been
escorted to the main entrance by the military.
The sun is now shining brightly, and the mud
in the streets and in the Exhibition Grounds
is rapidly drying.
The inaugural ccrcuonles are now fully 40.
der Way. 1t is thought that fully 81 900 p2o-
ple arc within view Of the grand stand.
At 1875 a. u. Dom Pedro arrived and was
escorted to his seat by Gen. Hawley.
At lO45 Gen. Philip Sheridan and wife
passed over from the building to the staud IN
front of Memorial Hall during the rendition OF
the national airs, and was greeted with great
applause, which he gracefully acknowledged
Ele was closely followed by Hon. j. &. Blaine
aud S ,nator Jones, Of Nevada, and wife.
At 1886 the President catered through Me
morial Hail, and was conducted to seat on the
front of the platform. Gov. llutranlt, Gen.
Hawey, and Hon. ID. j. Morrill, occnpicd SEATS
on his left, while Mcssrs. Jno. Welsh and
Goshorn we're on his right. Considerable anuse-
ment WAS caused by the sudden appearances OF
Fred. Douglass, who had, by some mischance,
worked his way through the crowd, aud was
helped over the ropes by officers, and conduct
ed to a scat on the platform. He was greeted
with cheers.
AT 11:O3 the Wagner Centennial Inaugural.
ton march was performed by the orchestra,
under the direction Of Theodore Thomas, at
the conclusion OF which Bishop Sampson offer
I'd up devru' prayer, during the rendering OF
which the majority OF the vast assenIbiage
stood with uncovered heads.
The platform presents fine appearance, as
the Diplomatic uticers and attaches are IN fu
uniform, aud there ate many military men
| from all parts of the country present. lhe
orchestra was all in place before 10 o clock, and
at precisely 5 minutes past 10 Gen: HaWiry
waved his handkerchief, as Il signal Tor the
commencement OF the natlonal airs OF all ma
| tons. ,
At 90 minutes past 10 the Emperor Of Brazil
| and party came to the platform and we're loud
| " cheered. The orchestra played the Brazil
ian national hymn "a he mounted the steps,
and was greeted by Gen. llawey and others If
| the Commission. The Emperor was IN c'tz"n's
dress aud wore decoration concealed under
the lappel of his coat. The platform was, by
this time, much crowded, and many guests
were unprovldcd with seats
At lO:4S he signal was given for the music
to stop, aud 5 minutes later the President, cS.
corted by Gen. Hawley, advanced to the front
! of the platform aud was loudly checrcd. The
orchestra then played "Hail to the Chlci,.'
| during which time the President shook hands
| with the Emperor and other guests. Inc
Philadelphia city troops, which escorted the
| President, filed dowu from the grand stand
| and somewhat relieved the pressure there.
At 1886 Gen. Hawley gave the signal to
the orchestra, which played Warner Grauu
| March. The music closed at II: 10, when 'en;
| Hawley announced that Bishop Simpson would
invoke Divine blessing. The conversation ceas
| i l.l. rho
sembIage maintained excellent order, with the
execution of some Of the more distant portions.
| Mr.. Welsh, President of the Centcnulal
Board of Finance, then, at ll:26, presented
the bulldogs to the Uaited States Centennial
Commission. The speaker was frequently ap,
plauded. Ger. Hawley then arose and SAID
the President of the Centennial Commission
accepted the great trust con6ded TO them by
the Beard of Finance.
| At ll:4S began the presentation speeche
by Gen. Hawley, turning the Exhibition build
ings over to the President of the United States,
who, at 5 mioutes of T. o'clock, amid great
applause, delivered his speech, accepting the
trust. He concluded by declaring the Ezhlbl'
ton open. The President was then loudly
cbeered the Emperor Of Brazil rising 10 his
seat and joining in the demonstration, by waV-
ing his hat.
It is now estimated that there w!re not tar
| from 100000 people 10 the ssscm bage at this
time When the prayer wss eoded, Whittier 5
hvmu was suug with magnificent effect aud
elected loud app suse. :,
MIR. Welsh, President of the Centennial
Board OF Finance then at ll:26 presented the
b;sidngs to the United States Centennial Com
mission. The speaker was frequently applaud
ed. Gen. Hawley then arose and said the