Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-05-19

had been already occupied by crowds OF Wis
itors.
The orchestra, while the seats were being
secured, played National airs, and after the
party on the platform had arranged them.
selves, played Wagner's Centennial March,
which was received with applause.
After the opening prayer, by Bishop Simp.
son, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the singing of Whittiers Centennial Hymn,
the presentation OF the buildings took place,
the Board Of Finance, with appropriate
speeches and ceremonials, turning over the
TO the Commission.
The Centennial Hymn, written for the oc-
casion by John G. Whittier, is as follows:
Our fathers God from out whose hand
The centuries fall like grains OF sand,
We meet to-day, united, free,
And loyal to our land and Thee,
To thank Thee for the era done,
And trust Thee for the opening one.
Here, where Of old, by Thy design,
The fathers spake that word OF Thine
Whose echo IS the glad refrain
Offended bolt and falling chain,
10 grace our festal time, from all
The zones of earth our guests we call.
Be with us while the New World greets
The Old World thronging all its streets,
dwelling all the triumphs won
by art or toll beneath the sun;
And unto common good ordain
This riyalship of hand and brain.
Thou who hast here in concord furled
The war flags Of gathered world,
Beneath our western skies fulfill
The o tents mission of good will,
And freighted with Loves golden fleece,
Send back its Argoaauts OF peace.
For art and labor met in truce,
For beauty madethe bride of use,
We thank Thee; but, withal, we crave
The austere virtues strong TO save,
The honor proof to place or gold,
The manhood never bought nor soldl
Oh make Thou us, through centuries long,
In peace secure, in Justice strong;
Around our gift of freedom draw
The safeguards of Thy righteous law;
And, cast in some diviner mold
Lc. the new cycle shame the odl
Next followed the singing of Sidney Ian
ier's cantata by a full chorus, accompanied
by the orchestra. The applause Of the vast
crowd was enthusiastic, and portions Of the
music were eHcOred
The presentation of the Exhibition to the
President of the United States by President
Hawley, of the United States Commission,
then followed, Gen. Hawley concluding his
remarks as follows:
On July 4, 1873, this grouud was dedicated to
its present uses. Twenty-one months ago this
Memorial Hall was begun; all the other lS0
buildings within the enclosure have been erected
within twelve months; all the buildings em-
braced in the plans OF the Commission itself are
finished. The demands of the applicants exceed
the space, and strenuous and continuous efforts
have been made to get every exhibit ready in
time. BY general consent, the Exhibition was
appropriately heldin the City of Brotherly Love.
Honder, almost within your view, stands the ven
Grated edifce wherein occurred the event which
this work is designed to commemorate, and
the hall in which the first Centennial Congress
assembled Within the present limits of this
great park were the homes of the eminent
patriots of that era; where Washington and his
associates received generous hospitality and
able counsel. You have observed the sur
passing beauty Of the situation placed at our
disposal. In harmony with all this fitness is the
liberal support given to the enterprise by the
State, the city and the people individually.
You, know the very acceptable terms in
distant regions. Their Commissioners are
here, and you will soon see with
what energy and brilliancy they have entered upon
this friendly competition in the arts OF peace. 1t
has been the fervent hope of the Commission that
during this festival year the people from all States
and sections, of ell creeds and churches, all
parties and classes, burying all resentments
would come up together to this birthplace OF
Liberty, to study the evidence of our resources
to measure the progress OF hundred years, and to
examine to our profit the wonderful products OF
other lands, but especially to join hands in perfect
fraternity and promise to the God of our fathers
that the new century shall surpass the old in the
true glories OF civilization; and, furthermore,
that from the association here of welcome visl.
tore from all nations there may result not alone
great dement's 70 inVentton manufacture, agi
culture, trade and commerce, but also stronger
international friendships and more lasting peace
Thus reporting to you, Mr.. resident, uDdel
the laws of the Government and the usage of sim
liar occasions, in the name Of the United States
Centennial Commission, / present to your view
the International Exhibition of 1876.
When President Grant rose to respond, he
was greeted with enthusiastic and long-con
tinued applause. He then read his response
as follows:
1t has been thought appropriate upon this Cen
tennial occasion to bring together in Philadel
phia, for popular inspection, specimens OF our at
tainments in the industrial and fine arts, and II
literature, science and philosophy, as vel
as in the great business of agriculture
and OF commerce, that we may NOR
thoroughly appreciate the excellences anC
deficiencies OF our achievements, and also Civ
an emphatic expression to our earnest desir'
to cultivate the friendship OF our fellow.mem
bers of this great family Of nations. The en-
lightened agricultural, commercial ard manu-
featuring people OF the world have been invited
to send hither corresponding specimens Of thel
skill to exhibit on equal terms, in friendly com
petition with our own. To this invitation the!
have generously responded, and for SO doing WI
utility Of the competitions will this day b'
submitted to your inspection by the man
ayers OF this Exhibition We are glad to know
that view of the specimens of the skill of all ma
tions will afford TO you unalol ed pleasure, a
well as yield to you valuable practical knowl
edge OF the remarkable results of the wonderful
skill existing in enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was new
and but partially settled. Our necessities haV
competed us 10 cnleny eXpend every mean
and time in telling forests, subduing prainel
and, building dwellings, factories, ships
docks, warehouses, roads, canals, machin
cry, ETC., etc. Most of our schools
churches, libraries and asylums have beer
established within 100 years. Burdened by thes,
great primal works of necessity which could no
be delayed, we yet have done what this Exhibi
tion will show in the direction of iivaling olde
and more advanced nations in law, medicine ant
theology, in science, literature, philosophy aL(
the fine arts. Whilst proud OF what we hav'
done, we regret that We have not done more on
achievements have been great enough however
to make it easy for our people to acknowledge su
perior merit, wherever found.
And now, fellow-citizene, hope careful ex
animation of what is about to be exhibited to yoI
will not only inspire You with profound respec
for the skill ana taste OF our friends from othe
made by our people during the past 100 years
invoke your generous cooperation with the wor
thy Commissioners to secure a brilliant success
to this International Exhibition, and to make tn
stay of our foreign visitors, 20 whom we extend
| a hearty welcome, both profitable and pleasan
to them. declare the lnternRtiO nal Exhibition
| now open.
The close of the Presidents address wa
followed by the raising of the flag on tn
Main Building, the signal that the Exhibition
was open.
Salutes were fired, bells commenced ring
ing and the chorus began singing Hallelujah
The chimes commenced TO ring various airs
and the President and invited guests, ami
cheers from the crowd, began a processio
through the Main Building and Machiner
| Hall.
CENTENNIAL LETTER.
/ IsIau- -