The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-05-18
OUR CENTENNIAL SHOW.
Formal Opening of the Greatest Expo
sition the World Has Ever Seen.
10000 People Contributed to the
Success of the Inaugural
Ceremonies.
The Programme as It was Carried Out
Music, Speeches, and Universal
Enthusiasm.


formally opened. The great event for
which the people have waited is over,
and everybody in the vicinity is happy,
muddy, and tired. The ceremonies were
simple but impressive, and amid choru-
ses, cheers, chimes, and cannons the
Exhibition was declared dedicated. BY
daylight the patriots were astir and TAX
ing their way toward the Centennial
grounds. 1t was a legal holiday, and all
business in the city was suspended. By
s o,clock the throngs about the main
entrances became so great that the gates
were opened as precaution, and within
the Enclosure the human surges poured.
Fifty turnstiles were kept in constant
operation until o'clock, and still they
came. Every person was required to
deposit either half-dollar or fifty-cent
scrip. Two quarters would not suffice,
nor dollar bill for two. The change
must be exact. The brokers offices were
besieged, and
THE PEOPLE WE'RE SWINDLED
by being compelled to pay ten cents for
every bill changed. So great was the
rush that the gates for invited guests
and the press were closed and everybody
alike paid for admission. Fully $50, 900
must have entered. All the buildings
were closed in the forenoon, and the
crowd gathered by files and plantoons in
the open space between the main build
ing and Memorial Hall. Soon the as
phalt walks and payements would not
hold them they spread over the flower
plots and sodded grounds, and finally
commenced encroaching upon the seats
reserved for guests. The policemen and
guards were powerless to keep them back
from eligible positions, and men and
boys perched themselves on trees,
buildings, balconies, statutes, cars, tro
phies, and poles, SO as to witness the
opening ceremonies. The reserved seats
were in front of Memorial Hall, facing
the elevated platform for the chorus of
one Thousand singers, which sloped
down from the main building. The
crowd occupied every insh of available
cept narrow lane through which the
guests, distinguished and otherwise,
passed from the main building to their
seats. Before 10 o'clock they commen-
ced to arrive, and from that time until
after eleven when the blessing of God
was invoked on the undertaking, they
continued fling in. The members Of the
Cabinet, Judges OF the Supreme Court,
Senators and Representatives and Gov
errors and their staffs created little COM
otion; but when the foreign legations,
in uniforms tinselled and gilt, severally
appeared, the American heart gushed
and cheered. There was more curiosity
than enthusiasm, and less applause than
anxiety to see ell the show. When the
opening number of the programme was
reached
THE SIGHT WAS MAGNIFICENT.
On the grand stand were five thousand
people, one-half of whom were ladies
enormously dressed. The granite walls
of Memorial Hall formed the back
ground and in front were brighter col
ors, waving plnmes, futtering fans and
ribbons, parasols and umbrellas. Below
the crowd was composed principally of
men, but many women endured the
crush, and few brought their babies.
Oprooita Tho acuamhJo on xroro tha oLor,,r
and orchestra, tanning themselves with
red covered score-books, and back of
them the bright-hued main building,
with roof and terraces sprinkled with
humanity and decorated with flags.
Seventy-fve thousand people were col
lected in an area 400 feet wide by half a
mile long. The most splendidly dressed
lady was the wife of the Spanish Minis
ter. She outshone the Brazilian En-
press, who wore white felt hat trimmed
with field flowers and lace, and modest
gray dress. The Emperor, Dom Pedro,
appeared like an unassuming gentleman
in unpretentious black, withoutan order
displayed.
Soon after 11o'clock the orchestra
commenced playing the national airs of
all nations, which we're severally ap-
plauded, not only by the legations from
the different countries, but by the peo-
pie in general. The crowd kept increas-
ing, and companies of wh1te-coated in
fantry with bayonets, and black plumed
dragons with sabers drawn, endeavored
to push them back, but without avail.
The President came through Memorial
Hall to the front of the platform and
the crowd cheered and became quiet.
The orchestra played the Centennial In
auguration March, by Wagner, after
which Bishop Simpson offered up an
eloquent
APPEAL FOR THE DIVINE BLESSING
After Bishop Simpsons prayer the
chorus sung the Centennial Hymn, writ
ten by Whittier. The music is simple
and it was rendered so effectively as to
evoke prolonged applause. The words
are as follows:
THE CENTENNIAL HYMN.
Our fathers God from out whose hani
The centuries fall like grains of sani
We meet TO day, united, free.
And loyal to our land and Thee
To thank Tree for the era DONE
And trust Thee for the onening one.
Here where of old, by Thy design.
The fathers spal<e that word of Thine
Whose echo Is the glad refrain
OF rentled bolt and falling chain,
TO grace our festal time from all
The zones of earth our guests we call.