The New York herald., 1876-01-01
CELEBRATIONS ELSEWHERE.

PHILADELPHIA Jan IL A. NJ
The opening Of the year in this city was attended
with unusual rejoicing 1t has been Philadel-
pha custom among the younger portion OF the com
munity welcome the incoming year by the firing of
cannon and small arms, making the night hideous to
Of our citizens The preparations for the night
were Of an unusually brilliant character Almost
every boy and man who pairolled the streets
was prepared to FIRE his fes de Joie in honor
Of the incoming Centennial year. 1t was no time for
nervous, tmid people to be abroad. The boys took
special delight in shocking ones sensbilies by firing
a revolver in close proximity TO ones head start
scream from lady pedestrians serving but
couragement TO further sport The citizens in obedi-
ence to a request from the authorities OF the city,
spread their flags TO the breeze and opened wide the
doors and windows Of their stores and dwellings, many
of which brilliantly Illuminated and decorated
But the great event OF the night was, Of course at
INDEPENDENCE HALL
This was the Mecca toward which the crowd in the
streets moved early hour In the evening II was
known that the authorities ha6 resolved to 6ttingy
celebrate the Inauguration Of the year which
Centennial anniversary OF national existence
upon the spot about which cluster so many
memories of the early struggles OF our
country. The ceremonies at this shrine
o. liberty were intended to be roreshadowing OF the
great celebration come and the last hours Of 1919
we're passing away the crowds about the State House
dense that pedestrian travel on Chestnut street
a difficult matter
knel Of the dying year. the new flag made for tho
cason and which has before been described In these
columns, was hoisted to the flagstaff in front
Of Independence Hall and flung TO the breeze
Tho Second regiment OF the National Guard, drawn
upl line for the purpose Cred salute Of 100 guns,
and the patriotic emotions that had been stirred up in
Thousands Of hearts found vent deaiening cheers.
The flag the exact counterpart Of the unfrled by
Washington on January ], l77e at Cambridge, Mass
TIa rnu teefpn nT tv hid nada
tensive arrangements for the Illumination OF the hall
and It's surroundings. Powerful calcium lights wero
placed each Of the wings and one in the centre
The focus Of light was brought to bear upon the old
hail. almost enguphing It IN sea of light
THE DECORATIONS.
window OF the lower floor OF the old hail. and the door
way had a Of lights each side The balcony
above was brilliant with Chinese lanterns and tho
upper windows bright with candles. Tho
national colors were'hung wherever II was possible
TO place them, and in all tho variety and
beauty that flags streamers, Jacks and banners could
imparL The coats OF arms Of the thirteen original
States occupied a conspicuous position, and over
the main entrance was a medallion twelve feet
in diameter encircled with evergreens IL repre-
sented Washington at the altar OF liberty, with
the genius OF America and was Of snowy, but taste
full design large shield and the flags OF all nations
further embollished the building and Greek fires, Ro
candles and calcium lights made the scene one OF
OTHER nLuMSArIoSs
Other buildings In the vicinity were Illuminated
brightly the Philadelphia Press Club House nearly op
pOSto Dclng cOnhplCuOuS among lne uumntT Alt
along Chestnut street. stores club houses Offices and
hotels ablaze with light Uptown private resi-
dences for lighted up, remarkable fact IN
city where closed window shutters and gloomy streets
are the rule
CHRIST CHURCH
The old chino OF bells at Christ church, where Gen.
era Washington worshipped, rang halelujah peal at
midnight s they did when CORVALLIS was taken and
they have done many occasions OF patriotic inter-
est since.
ST Stephens and 81 Peters chimes were additions
TO the glorious melody. As the grand pagesnuy
Of the night burst upon view 1t recalled the
time when our forelathcrs awakened from
their sumbers by tho ringing or tho old
bell in the fState House, with the clashng and
mingling peal OF these Christ church bells and
the cries OF the watohmen they announced the
OF peace between infant nation and the Mother
Country. Men, and children into tho
streets they dad tonight, and made their way to-
spot In those early days sacred In their
ihoughts-lndepondenc Hall--and there made the
wekin ring with their shouts Where but hundreds
stood then thousands stand night amid the saivo Of
artillery, tho ringing Of bells and the music OF grand
military banda
Ring out tho old, ring m tho new.
with glad shouts greeting tho opening Of our Centennial
year.
AtroogL L 1876.