The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-05-25

vide for the repeal of all taxes on bank capital
ana deposits The bill to authorize the issue Of
change for legal-tenders to be rcissued only after
the destruction OF an equal amount Of fractional
currency, was defeated yeas 1s5, nays 7s-lcss
low Mrs. Minnie Sherman Fitch to receive free
Of duties, her wedding present from the Khedive
of Egypt, was passed.
Proceedings at the Opening Of the
Centennial Exposition.
The morning of the 10th. in Philadelphia,
was very rainy, but by ten o'clock the
clouds had dispersed, and the weather was
clear and pleasant. The city was crowded
with visitors, and the number of people in at
tendance upon the opening ceremonies of the
Centennial Exposition is estimated to have
been in the neighborhood of 10000. The
streets of the city were all ablaze with flags,
and the patriotic decorations were numerous
and fine. Public buildings, stores, churches,
colleges, railroad depots, parks and private
residences were literally covered with flags,
banners, statuary and devices. Flags of all
nations were floating in the breeze, but con-
spicuous above them all waved the Star
Spangled Banner.
At the Exposition grounds spacious
platform had been erected at the side OF
Memorial Hall, north of the center of the
main building, and seats were arranged on
the platform for official and other invited
guests.
At eleven o'clock President Grant and his
party, accompanied by numerous Govern
ment officials and other prominent individ.
uals, proceeded to the platform, the Presi-
dent having been escorted to the grounds by
Gov. Hartranft. At the right of the center of
the platform were seated the President of the
United States and the members of the Cabinet
and further to the right were the seats of the
United States Senators, members of the
House of Representatives, the Govern
ors of the various States, with their
STAINS, the Governor of Pennsylvania,
and State officers, the State Supreme Court
and the Legislature, and representatives of
the army and navy the Smithsonian 1nsti-
tute, United States Judges, officers of the Ex-
OF the WOman's Centennial Committee. On
the left OF the center were the seats of the
United States Supreme Court, and further to
the left, the seats of members of the Diplo-
matte Corps ard members of the Centennial
Commission, the Board of Finance, the
Woman's Executive Committee, Foreign
C9mlnissioners, the Mayor, Council and other
cities, State Centennial Boards, the Board of
Award, and along the front of the platform
were seated the members of the press.
The orchestra of $50 pieces and chorus of
1000 voices, under the direction of Theodore
Thomas and Dudley Buck, were stationed
directly in front OF the platform, at the side
of the Main Building.
The Dlatform was at once crou-dod ord
all the surrounding space and all the avail
able points of elevation in the neiuhborhood
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 Whittier's Centennial Hymn,
the presentation of the buildings took place,
speeches and ceremonials, turning over the
buildings to the Commission.
Next followed the singing Of Sidney Lam
lers cantata by a full chorus, accompanied
by the orchestra. The applause of the vast
crowd was enthusiastic, and portions of the
music were encored.
The presentation of the Exhibition to the
President of the United States by President
Hawley, of the United States Commission,
then followed, President Hawlcy making an
elaborate and heartily -applauded speech.
When President Grant rose to resi- ond, he
was greeted with enthusiastic and long con
tinued applause. He then read his response,
as follows:
1t has been thought appropriate, upon this
Centennial occasion, to bring together in Phila-
delphia, for popular inspection, specimens OF
our attainmcnts in the industrial and fine arts,
aud while
we'll as in the great business Of agriculture, and
OF commerce, that we may more thoroughly APP
preciate the exeellencies and deficiencies OF our
preston to our earnest desire to cultivate
the friendship Of our fellow-members of
this tids. great family of nations, The en-
ufacturing people of the world have been
invited to send bither corresponding
specimens Of their skill. to exhibit on equal
this invitation they have generously responded,
and for SO doing we tender them our hearty
thanks. The beauty and utility of the contribu-
ton by the Managers Of this Exhibition. We are
glad to know that a view Of the specimens of the
skill Of all nations will afford to you unalloyed
tical knowledge Of the remarkable results Of the
wonderful skill existing in enlightened commune
ties One hundred years ago our country was
have compelled us to chiefly expend every means
and time in telling forests, subdung prairies and
building dwellings, factories, ships, docks, ware
houses, roads, canals, machinery, etc., etc. Most
Of our schools. churches, libraries and asylums
have been established within a hundred
years. Burthened by these great primal
works Of necessity which could not be delayed,
we vet have done what this Exhibition will show
in the direction of rivaling older and more ad-
vanced nations in law, medicine and theology, in
science, literature, philosophy and the fine arts.
that we have not done more. Our achievements
have been great enough, however, to make it
easy for our people to acknowledge superior
merit wherever found and now, fellow. citizens,
hope q careful examination of what is
about to be exhibited to you will not only
inspire you with profound respect for the skill
and taste of our friends from other nations, but
also satisfy you with the attachments made by
our people during the past 100 years. invoke
your generous cooperation with the worthy
Commissioners to secure brilliant success to
this International Exhibition; and to make the
stay of our foreign visitors, to whom we extend
to them. declare the International Exhibition
now open.
The close of the Presidents address
was followed by the raising of the flag on
the Main Building, the signal that the EXIT
ton was open.
Salutes were fired, bells commenced ring
ing, and the chorus began singing Hallelu-
jah. The chimes commenced to ring various
airs, and tie President and invited guests,
amid cheers from the crowd, began u pro-
cession through the Main Building and
Machinery Hall.