Ellsworth American., 1876-05-18

Presentation speech Of Joseph K. lIlw-
ley President OF tile Centennial Cpmmj--
ion . the President Of the United States.
"a: the opening OF the Exhibition:
Mr. President: Five years ago the Pres
ideut OF tile United States declared IL lit
tln. That The completion OF the first crntu
rs OF our national existence should be COM
memorated by an exhibition OF the uatiuu-
al resources OF the country and their de-
yeopmeut, and Of it, pro-rc>, I'D those
arts which benefit mAukud, aud urdcIed
that an exhibition OF American and foreign
arts. products and manufactures, should
ne held uuder the auspices of the govern
mtut ut the United States IN the cl', ut
fhIla4eiphia ia the year 1876.
10 pat into effect the several laws rriat-
inS to the exhibition, the nited States
Centennial commission was constituted.
compused OF Two commissioners from each
state and territory, nominated by their re-
>pcctlve governors and appointed by the
President. Congress also created an aux
liiary associate corporation, the Centcnui-
Al board OF finances, whose Unexpectedly
heavy burdens have been nOby borne.
louder, almost within your view, stands
4 the vcncratrd editice wherein occurred the
event this work is designed to commemo-
rate. and the hall in which the first Cen
/ tenual Congress assembled. Within the
present limits OF the great park were the
I homes OF eminent patriots OF that era,
where Washington and his associates re-
ceyed generous hospitality and able coun-
I sci.
I A remarkable and prolonged disturbance
I of the tinancles and industries OF the cOun-
| try has greatly magnitied the task, but we
hope for Il Judgment OF the degree OF sue
T cess obtained.
/ On July 4th, 1873 this ground was ded-
/ icated to its present uses Iwenty-onc
months ago this Memorial hall was begun,
/ all the others. 1870 buildings, within the
! enclosure have been erected within twelve
! months. All the buildIu :, embraced in the
! plans oi the commi>eiuA it>eIt are lnlShrd.
/ The demands of app auts exceeded The
! space, and strenuous and continuous forts
! have been made 10 get every exhibit ready
in time. By general consent the eNhibl-
/ bition is appropriately held IN the city o.
/ brotherly love.
You have observed the surprising beau
| ty of the situation placed at our disposal,
In harmony with all the fitness is the liber-
al support given the enterprise by the
state. the city and the people Individually.
| In the name of the United States you eX-
tended a respectful and cordial invitation
| TO the governments of the other nations TO
be represented and to participate in this
exhibition.
You know the very acceptable terms in
which they responded from even the most
distant region.
Their commissioners are here, and you
! will soon see With what energy and brill
| fancy they nave entered upon this friendly
competition in the arts OF peace. 1t has
been the fervent hope ofthe commissioners
that during this festival year the people
irom all states aud sections. OF all creeds
and churches, all parties and classes, bury
ing all resentments would come up togeth-
er 10 this birth place of our liberties, 10
study the evidence OF our resources. to
measure the progress of a hundred years,
and TO examine To our profit the wonderful
products of other lands, but especially to
join hands in perfect fraternity promise
the Go. OF our fathers. that the new CEN
tury shall surpass the old in the true glO-
ries or civilization. and furthermore that
| from the association here OF welcome vi--
itors from all nations there may result not
alone great benz fits to invention, manu-
facIures, agriculture. tr ade and commerce
but also stronger International friendships
and more lasting peace thus esparting T.
|, you Mr.. President under the laws OF the
government and the usage of similar occa
sions in the name of the centennial CON