The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-10

endured privation and sacrifices, who
braved multiplied dangers rather than
defile their coDsciences or be untrue to |
their God, men who laid on the broad |
foundation of truth and justice the grand |
structure of civil freedom. We praise
Thee for the closing century, fer the foun-
ders of the Republic, for the Immortal
Washington and his grand associates, for
the wisdom with which they planned and
the frmness and heroism which, under thy !
blessing, led them to triumphant success. |
Thou vast their shield in hours of danger, |
their pillar of cloud BY day and their pillar |
of fire by night May we their sons walk |
in their foot steps, initiate their virtues.
We thank Thee for social and national |
prosperity and progress, for the laudable |
discoveries and the multiplied inventions
aud labor saving machinery, relieving
the toiling masses; for schools free as the
morning light for the millions of the rising
generation; for books and periodicals
scattered like leaves of autumn over the
land; for art and science; for freedom to
wol ship God according to the dictates of
conscience; for a church unfettered by the
trammels of state.
Bless, We pray Thee, the president of
the United States and his constitutional
advisers; the judges of the supreme court,
the senators and representatives, in con-
gress; the governments of our several
commonwealths; the officers Of the trmy
and the navy, and all who are in official
position throughout our land. Guide them
we pray Thee with counsels of wisdom and
may they ever rule in righteousness
We ask thy blessing to rest upon the
president and members of the centennial
commission and upon those associated with
them in the various departments who have
labored long aud earnestly and amidst
anxieties and difficulties for the success of
this enterprise
May Thy special blessing, 0 Thou God
Of all the nations Of the earth, rest upon
our national guests: oui visitors from dis
tant lands. We welcome them to our
shores and we rejoice in their presence
among US, whether they represent thrones,
or culture. or research, or whether they
come to exhibit the triumphs of genius
and art in the development of industry in
the progress of civilization. Preserve
Thou them, we beseech Thee, 10 health
and safety, and in due time may they be
welcomed by loved ores again to their own,
| their native lands.
| Let Thy blessing rest richly on this Cen
tennial celebration, may the lives and health
of all interested be precious in Thy sight
| Preside in its assemblies, Grant that this
association, in its effort, may bud more
closely together every part of our great
Republic, so that our union may be per-
feet and indissoluble. Let its influence
draw the nations of the earth into hap
pier unity. Hereafter, We pray Thee, may
all disputed questions be settled by arbi-
tratiOn and not by the sword, and may
wars forever cease among the sons of men );
may tie new century be better than the
past, more radiant with the light of true
philosophy, warmer with the annimations
Of worldwide sympathy; may capital,
genius, and labor be freed from all antag-
ouism by the establishment and applica-
ton of such principles of justice and equal
ity as shall reconcile diversified interests
and bind in imperishable bonds all parts
of society.
We pray for Thy benedic,ion especially
on the women of America, who, for the
first time in the history of our race take SC
conspicuous place i'll a national celebra-
ton. May the light of their Intelligence
purity and enterprise shed its beams afar
10 distant lands that their sisters may real.
ize the beauty and glory of Christian free
dom and elevation.
} We bescech Thee almighty Father thai
our beloved republic may be strengthened
iu every element of true greatness till hel
unison is accomplished by presenting t.
the world an Illustration Of the happir es
of free people with a free church in
free state, under laws of their own enact
, ment and under rules of their own selection
: acknowledging supreme allegiance
only to the King of Kings anc
Lord of Lords; and as Thou dds
give TO one of its illustrious sons first tC
/ draw, experimentally the electric sparl
r from heaven which has since girded th,
r globe in its celestial whispers of Glory t.
| u cd in the highest, peace on earth, gooC
l Will to men, so to the latest of time ma
r the mission Of America, under divine liz
spiration, be one of affection, brotherhoo
t and love for all of our race May the com
ing centuries be filled with TIE glory G
our christian civilization, and $40 Thee
t our Father, through him, whose lie is th
q Light of men, will we ascribe glory an
d praise now and forever, AMEN.
= Whittier's Centennial Hymn was the
sung, as follows:
Il Our fathers God from ont whose hand
4 The centuries fall like grains Of sand,
W. meet to-day, united, free.
And loyal to land and Thee.
q To thank Thee for the Gone.
~, And trust Thee for tbesopening one.
G Here where of oil by Thy design.
The fathers spake that word of Thine
Whose echo is the glad refrain
= OF rended bolt and fallen chain.
3 To grace our festal time from all
- Thezone tf earth oar guests We call
e Be with us while the New World greets
N The Old World, thronging ali its streets
Unveiling all the lriumphs
By art toll beneath the sun;
d And unto common good ordain
Ia This rivalship of hand and brain.
d Thou who hast here in concord furled
i. The war flags Of gathered world,
Beneath our western skies fulhll
The Orient's mission of good will,
10 And, ircighted with Loves golden fleece
~ Send back the Argonauts OF peace.
I'd For art and labor met in truce,
al For beau y made the bride of use,
We thank Thee, while withal we crave
Z. be austere virtues strong 10 save,
v The henor proof to place our gold,
The manhood never bought or sold!
o,mako Thou us, through centuries long,
lr In peace secure, in justice strong;
u Around our gift of freedom draw
III The safeguards of Thy righteous law,
" And, cast in some diviner mould,
ir Let the new cycle shame the old!
}e Tie presentation of the buildings The
,u took place, the board of finance with appr
or pirate speeches and ceremoniaIs turniI
IS, over the buildings to the commission.
S; Next followed singing ofSidney Lance,
I'd cantata by full chorus accompanied
~ orchestra. The applause of the va
~ crowd was enthusiastic and portions of Il
er music were rcored and especially ba