Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-07-14
CENTENNIAL LETTER.


The Old and the New 'The King Is
Dead-LOng Live the King, LThe
Centennial Celebration From the
First 60 the FOurth-The Military and
Civic Display Ceremonies Around
Independence Square Attendance
Upon the big shOw-D Dom RedrO,s
JOIxe-Etc., etc.
PHILADELPHIA, July 3. 1873.
The Nations Old Century expired yester-
day. It's birthplace was in Philadelphia,
and very properly it died here Its advent
was signalized by the ringing of bells, the
booming of cannon and the acclaim of an
assembled multitude. To launch the infant
into this breathing world of ours was no
slight undertaking, and after its lungs were
inflated, and series of lusty cries Indicated
that it was about to do business for itself,
many thought the youngster would not live,
so weak and puny was II; but 1t survived the
incidents and accidents OF childhood, the
measles, whooping cough and so forth of Ma
tiOnal existence, grew into youth of fair
proportions, developed into large and Wig
Orous manhood, and died, yesterday, full of
years and toleraby full of honors. Its hon
ors and its dishonOrs, its good deeds and
bad deeds, its glory and its shame are buried.
To-day another child is born to us. The
King Is dead Long live the King.
The Centennial July celebration began on
the 1st. There was grand demonstration
in Independence Hall and Independence
Square. This portion Of the celebration was
managed by the authors and literary gentle
men, about 100 of whom assembled in the
historic room, and deposited each short
biographical sketch of one ofthe signers or Of
some other prominent revolutionary patriot.
They were received by the ladies of the com
mittee in charge of the room and thence
escorted to the hall where they were welcom-
ed by the Mayor of Philadelphia. Then there
"A
Whittier's Centennial Hymn, as sung on
on the opening of the Convention, was rem
dered by a small sized chorus of fifty or six
ty voices. The names of the authors were
called, and each stepped to table and de-
posted his sketch. Among the authors con-
tributing were ex-GOv John A. Dix, T. w
Higginson, John Esten Cook, B. j. LOSING,
Robt Z. Winthrop, j. w. Forney and Chas.
F. Adams. Other exercises were held in the
square. Whittier's Centennial Hymn was
sung again by chorus of 400 voices, and
addresses were made by several distinguished
gentlemen.
Sunday was devoted to church going and
mild dissipation, and it was not recorded
that the Broadbrims were very badly scan
dalzed bywhat transpired
Monday was spent in getting ready for the
celebration par excellence of the following
day, and witnessing the civic display.
The Fourth was ushered in by the firing of
a National salute in Fairmount Park, and the
simultaneous ringing of chimes and church
bells throughout the city. Then the bunting
began to be displayed, and soon every dwell
| ling and place of business was gay with flags,
streamers and decorations. The military
formed on Broad Street and commenced to
move. a stand had been erected in front of
| Independence Hall from which the troops
were reviewed by Gen. Sherman. Upon the
| platform were the following: Prince Oscar,
1 of Sweden, the Secretary of War, Governors
and eX-Governors of States and large num-
| ber of distinguished foreigners. Among the
features of the puraie was the Centennial
! legion, which was organized for the occa-
sion and was composed of a company from
each of the thirteen original States The
commemorative exercises of the day were
held in independence square and at ten
O'Clock every available spot in the square and
on the streets in the vicinity was crowded
with people. stand with seats for
1000 invited guests had been erected,
and at 1915, when the ceremonies
commenced, was entirely filled. Gen.
Ilawley called the immense assem-
| blage to order, and an orchestra of $50 mu-
sicians opened with the grand overture,
" The Great Republic" arranged for the oc-
casion. While the music was in progress
shout of enthusiasm signalzcd the arrival
OF the Brazilian Emperor, Dom Pedro. He
came directly to the front of the platform
and acknowledged the cheers of the people
by raising his hat, and then retired to his
seat. Gen. Hawley then introduced Hon.
Thos. w. Ferry, Vice President, who made a
brief aud appropriate speech and took his
seat as presiding officer Bishop Ste
yens offered prayer, the chorus sang
and Richard Henry Lee read the
Declaration of Independence from the
original manuscript. Following the reading
of the Declaration came the greeting from
Brazil, hymn for the first Centennial of
American Independence, composed by
A. Carlos Gomez, of Brazil, at the re-
quest of his majesty Dom Pedro, second
emperor Of Brazil. The announcement of
this portion of the programme was received
by the assemblage with every manifestation
Of favor, The emperor arose to his feet
with the rest of the distinguished person
ages present, and listened with great atten-
ton. VIM. NJ. Evarts delivered his long in
| cubated Grafton, there were more Odes, and
then the crowd dispersed.
The Catholic Societies turned out in the
morning to the number of 5000 to 10000,
and dedicated their cold-water fountain, and
at least half that number of Germans un-
Veiled a statue of Humboldt.
Fully $1,000 persons visited the Exhibition
during the day, and as many were in the
park during the evening to see the fireworks.
At last, ut midnight, the celebration was
over and everybody was glad of it.
Dom Pedro is fond of his joke. On Fri
day afternoon last, dressed in rather shah
by coat which betrayed rip in the shoulder
JhIOhRu WHICH Tue lluluB pIOhuuNu, u pdIt
of trousers which once were new, and q
slouch hat shading his eyes, His Majesty
was intently examining some exhibits in
the Main Building, when he overheard a
lady and gentleman regretting that they had
failed to see the Emperor of Brazil. The
lady eiaculated: " If he is here | can't en-
joy anything till get good look at him; ~
and her escort comiOrted her with the re-
mark that he had been looking for the EN-
peror for week, and was satisfied he had
not been at the Exhibition. Dom Pedro ev,
identity thought IL pity they should longer
waste time in fruitless search, and not car
ing TO collect crowd by revealing his iden-
tity, he pointed TO his valet, who stood at 4
respectful distance with a princely feather
in his military hat, and said quietly: He
is at leisure now; go and introduce your
selves"
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