Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-14
THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
The Celebrations at Philadelphia, Kew
York, and Boston.

THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
The Celebrations at Philadelphia, New
York, and Boston.
AT PHILADELPHIA,
the celebration began on Monday, with
the Centennial parade of the Grand Army
of the Republic, which was a most imposing
demonstration. About 5000 men were in
line, including veteran soldiers from all sec
tions of the country. The posts all carried
tat.ered and torn flags, carried BY them dur
in the war. These were greeted with
cheers all along the line of march.
This was followed in the evening by an
immense procession of trades. The city
was bright with illuminations. Great tri-
umphal arches had been erected on Broad
and Chestnut streets, which were brilliant
ly Illuminated.
The Union Club and all the leading ho-
tells were very elaborately decorated, and
platforms which had been erected in front
of them were filled with elegantly dressed
ladies and gentlemen. Nearly every house
was Illuminated. Thousands of people gave
receptions and entertained their friends in
the most lavish manner. At times Chest
nut and Broad streets. which were natus
ally the principal centres Of attraction,
were as light as day, owing to the great
numbers of blue lights and torches burned
along their line. The face of Washington
shown forth everywhere, enshrouded in
banners and Illuminated with varied color
ed fires, and the foreign Commissioners and
Ministers and their suites were abroad in
carriages and urged their way with diff
Guilty through the immense crowds.
The procession, which started at ten
O'Clock. comprised a large number of civic
societies, an immense representation of the
industries of the city and vicinity, numer-
Gus political clubs of both parties, large
body of military escorting the Governor Of
the State OF Pennsylvania the Mayor of
Philadelphia; the Foreign Commissioners
the Emperor of Brazil; Prince Oscar of
Sweden; the Marquis of Rochambeau, the
grandson of one OF the distinguished French
defenders of our Republic; Governor; Rice
of Massachusetts, Lippitt Of Rhode Island,
Bagley of Michigan, Carroll of Maryland,
Cochran, Peek of Vermont, and many
others. The display Of transparences was
enormous.
AT MIDNIGHT,
the booming OF guns and a great display
of fireworks announced the advent OF the
Fourth. The new bell, recently presented
TO Independence Hall, sounded forth joyous
notes of welcome TO our new century OF
national life, and the crowds cheered v0-
ciferously.
Within the hall chorus of 500 voices
sang numerous national airs. The Cen
tury Plant" a painting Of liberty tree
fastened on the front OF the old hail, was
brilliantly lighted up.
The immense throngs soon disapp cared.
anxious 10 rest before the coming of the
dawn which was TO bring the grand mill
tsry display and the principal ceremonIals
in Independence Square.
AT SUNRISE
the Fourth was ushered in by salutes and
bell ringing. The display OF bunting on
the principal streets was wonderful. The
military procession moved at $50 1t com
prlsed, in addition to large body of Penn
sylyania militia. regiments from New
York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland.
South Carolina. Vermont, Michigan. and
other States. There were between 1900
ard 10. 600 military in line, and the parade
was about one hour and half in passinga
given point The streets through which
the parade passed were densely crowded
with spectators, who stood their ground
manfully, considering that the mercury was
away up among the ninetIes and the sun had
full swing. The troops were ecclesiastical
ly cheered on the route. AT independence
Hall they were reviewed by Gen. Sherman.
On the platform with the General were
Prince Oscar. of Sweden Gov. ConnOr, OF
Maine, and staff, and Gov .Lippilt. OF Rhode
Island
The commemorative exercises of the DAY
were held in Independence Square. and at
10 CLOCK every available spot IN the Square
anu on the streets IN the vicinity was crowd
ed with people stand. with seats for
1000 invited guests, had been erected. and +,
at 1915, when the ceremonies commenced,
was entirely filed. The arrivals Of Gov.
| Hayes and zen. Sherman and Lient. Cen
| Sheridan and Dom Pedro were the signal
for great cheering AT 4 quarter past 10
| Gilmore : orchestra OF $50 musicians open
| ed with the grand overture. " The Gscat
/ Republic" Gen. Hawley then called the
assemblage to order, and with lew we'll
timed remarks introduced Hon. Thomas W.
/ Ferry, President Of the nitcd States Sen
ate as President gi the Day. The latter
made an excellent short address after which
Jraver was offered by the Rt. Rev. William
/ Il. Stevens
The chorus sang the hymn. " Welcome to
All Nations composed by Oliver Wendell
/ Ho mes, OF Massachusetts. Mr.. Ferry then
introduced Richard Henry Lee, OF Virginia,
who lead the Declaration OF Independence.
The original manuscript of that document
was brought forward by Mayor Stokely, to
whose care it had been entrusted by the
President OF the United States. Ii was
! placed upon the speakers stand. facing the
vast multitude in the square. and for fse
minutes the vicinity fairly rang with
cheers.
After the reading Of the Declaration then
came the greeting from Brazil-a hymn for
the first centennial of American indepen-
dence-composed by Carlos eomez. of Bra
zil, at the request Of His Majesty Dom Pc
dro. The announcement of this portion of
the programme was received by the as
semblage with every manifestation OF favor.
The Emperor rose to his feet, with the rest
of the distinguished personages present, and
listened with great attention.
BaYard Taylor then recited his National
Ode, commencing
Sun Of the stately Day
Let Europe bask in thy rlpened ray.
And over the seyering ocean LIT
A brow OF broader splendor
Give light TO the eager eyes
0fthe Land that waits TO behold thee rise;
The glsdness o! morning lend her,
With tho triumph of noon attend her,
And the peace Of the vesper skies
For 10 she cometh now
With hope on the lip and pride on the brow,
Stronger, and dearer. and fairer,
TO smile on the love we bear her.
To 1--we as dreamed her and sought her
Liberty's latest daughter
In the clefts Of the rock in the secret places,
We found her traces.
On the hills, in the crash Of woods that fall,
We heard her call
When the lines OF battle broke.
We saw her tace in the fiery smcke
Through toll and anguish and desOlatiOn,
We followed and found her
With the grace Of a virgin Nation
AS sacred zone around her
! Who shall rejoice
| With a righteous voice,
Fsr-hesrd through the ages, If not shei
For the menace Is dumb that deled her,
The doubt is dead that denied her,
And she stands acknow ged and free
A grand triumphal march, with tn,
chorus, Our National Banner" by Dexte
Smith, of Boston, was next given by the or
chestra and chorus, after which the orat0
of the day, William NJ. Evarts. was intro
duced and greeted with loud and lon!
cheers.
Mr.. EvARIs' GRAFTON.
/ Beginning with references to the dignity os tn
, day and tO the manner in which ii has been oh
served hitherto, Mr.. Evarts noted as signifcan
} feature Of American independence, that 1t
N .tr sr.a adpaa af