Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1876-05-11
Formal Opening of the Exhibi-
tion by President Grant.
The Centennial.

PnnApKLPnIA, May l0-The morn
ing opened rainy. The city is crowd
ed with visitors who came down
yesterday, last night aud this morn.
ing, and buildings are ablazc with
bunting. The exposition opening is
the only topic Of conversation and
since early in the morning throngs Of
people on foot and in street cars. car.
riagcs, wagons and steam cars have
been pouring toward the centennial
grounds in anticipation Of the opening
Of the gates. This morning early
the military parade, comprising q
portion OF the lst division took place,
passing through the principal streets
of the city. The display was fine,
,hongh not nearly SO large IS it would
have been had the weather been fav-
orable. Ifthe weather becomes clesy
the opening of the exposition will 5e
great success. Y
AT 10 o'clock the rain ceased and
the weather is beautiful and sunny,
but not too warm. The ground is in
good condition, in spite Of the hard
and long continued rain, although
there is much mud. The gates open
ed little after 10 O'Clock and a
crowd have been pouring in ever
since. 1t is roughly estimated tha,
fty thousand people are now on the
grounds and skill there continues a
rush through the gates. The f.vora-
ble change in the weather will permi,
the original programme to be carried
out. Arrangements had been pretty
much made TO conduct the inaugura
iion ceremonies in the main building
in case Of continued rain. A spaciou;
platform has been erected ut the side
OF the memorial ball, north of. til.
centre of the main builSing. Seat
are arranged on the platform for Of
hcsrs aud other invited guests.
AT the right Of centre are seats 70
the president ef the U. S. aud mem
bcrs Of the cabinet, and further to th
right are seats of the U. S. senators
members OF the house Of representa-
tives, governors Of states with staff.
Judges Of the snpreme court, fegisla
turc Of Pennsylvania and representa-
Z tive Of the army and navy, the Smith
sonian institute, U. S. Judges, officer
Of the executive bureaus and mem
bers Of the woman's centennial CON
mit,ee. On the left centre are seat
for the U. s, supreme court and furtt
er 10 the left are seats for the men
bers Of the diplomatic corps and men
hers Of the centennial board Of inanc.
woman's executive committee, mayor
council aud other officers Of Phils
dclphia, mayors Of other cities, sta,
centennial board of award, judR,
ball and rife clubs, and along Il
front platform are seats for membe
Of the jpress. The space in front
tho platform, except that needed 4
passage, was occupied by the publ
After the Inauguration the main buj
ding, machinery hall and memori
hall were reserved for
vited guests and closed to the pabli
The space .bou, the platform in Il
main building is SO crowded that it
impossible to see and het on the o,
sido Of tho crowd. A, 10 o'clock I
presidential party, accompanied
the officials previously designate
proceeded to the platform, the pre-
ident h.vi been escorted TO I
grounds by Governor Hsrtranft, vi
division Of military. The pla,fo
was At once crowded and sN elevat
points in the neighborhood were
ready occupied by crowds of visite
The .orchestra,lwhi seats were bel
secured, played national airs and af
the platform had arranged themselv
played Magnets Centennial Ma
which WAS received with xpplau
Bishop Simpson then offered
following prayer: Almighty Faith