, 1876-07-08
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

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The celebration, in this city, oi
the great anniversary of the century,
notwithstanding the many let's, him
drances and disappointments which
preceded it, met the most sanguine
hopes of its promoters, and the COM
mittee of gentlemen having the mat
ter in charge, fully vindicated their
character for zeal and discretion, In
spite of all criticism and croaklng.
The attendance exceeded by far any
assemblage ever before heldin Wash
ington Territory; it is estimated by
none at less than 5000, and by some
good judges is placed as high as
5000. Every city, town and settle
ment upon the Sound was repre-
sented; some - Port Gamble and
Port Madison, for instance-by
majority of their inhabitants. On
the evening of the Sd and morning
of the 4th. no less than ten steamers
came to our wharves laden with pas
sengers. The weather was auspic-
ious for the occasion, being one of
those balmy summer days peculiar
to our exquisite climate. The ship
ping in the harbor, the business
houses and residences, even the
streets and sidewalks we're gaily
decked with flags, evergreens and
flowers, presenting in every direc-
tion a gala scene of the most pleas
ing character.
The glorious morning was ushered
in by an artillery salute, and at an
early hour the thoroughfares were
thronged with jolly groups of men,
women and children with beaming
faces, all intent upon making the
most of the occasion.
The first order upon the pro-
gramme was the regatta, which
started at 10 o'clock, the report of
which will be found in another col
umn.
At . o'clock, prompt, the process
sion was formed upon Mill street,
according to the announced order,
and marched by devious ways to the
University grounds, which were pre-
pared for the exercises of the day.
In the absence of Hon. A. A. Denny,
the President of the Day, Hon. II.
L. Yesler presided, supported by a
number of Presidents. After
music by the Band, a prayer was Of
fered by Rev. Daniel Bagley. The
Declaration of Independence was
read by Prof Young. Prof. Ingra-
ham read an original ode, which was
highly creditable to the literary
ability of the author. Gov. Ferry
had been selected to deliver the ora
ton, and it was a matter Of great
disappointment to the committee
that he failed to appear. and the
brief time allowed to supply his
place, which disappointment was
greatly relieved by the very able
manner in which tive Of our young
lawyers supplied the place almost
Cornelius Fl. Hanford,
Esq, who was among the early pio-
neers of Seattle, and had grown up
with the place from early childhood, /
delivered a short speech, without !
notes, in which he reviewed, in a
brief but fitting manner. the history
of the country at large, and more |
particularly the adventures. dangers,
and struggles Of the early settlers of
this special locality.
W. H. White, ESQ, with only
forty eight hours notice, the most of
which time he was engaged in Court.
had hastily prepared some notes of
speech, depending mainly upon
the inspiration of the occasion. An
enthusiast himself in all he under
takes, and in full sympathy with his
subject, he thrilled his audience with
the fervor of his patriotism and the
power of his eloquence. Had he
had months to prepare he could
scarcely have given better satisfac-
ton to his hearers. It may be truth
fully said that the orations, though
unpretending and unprepared, were
an eminent success.
After the orations, the procession
was marched back to the public
square and disbanded. In the even
ing, after witnessing the magnificent
fireworks, which were upon scows
in the bay, the immense pavilion
erected upon Occidental Square and
Yesler's Hall were both filled to their