The daily gazette., 1876-05-11
l776. 1876.
l N AU GU r. ALTO N.
OPENED.
PHILADELPHIA, Nav 10.

Notwithstanding the weather this
morning, great crowds Of people
moved to the grounds, a good many
starting out at daybreak and waited
for hours for the gates to open. The
rain of the previous day and night
rendered travel disagreeable, and in
some places almost rendered impossi-
BILE. The various lines of steam and
horse cars had all they could do to &C,
commodate the vast throngs who were
early ready to make the trip to the
park. Besides these, vehicles of every
description were pressed into service,
and all conveyances were literally pa
tronized.
oPENING THE GATES.
Before o'clock the gates at the en-.
trance for, the invited guests were
opened, and they poured in in man
ner that fully tested the capacity of all |
the turn stiles.
AT THE GRAND STAND.
This was constructed of timber, at |
the foot of a vast amphitheatre, grad |
ing down to the front centre, which !
was thrown out flush from the main
platform. The staging extended along
wv ShoiiO iiOhb VI lldli, anu
seats were provided thereon fer about
S0Oc persons. Opposite to the Memo.
rial Hall and in front of the main
building, the grand stand for the Or
| chestra and chorus was erected, and
this platform began to fill up about 0
o'clock. At lhe same hour the vast
plaza in front of Memorial Hall began
to fill up with the thousands of visi-
tors.
Soon after all of the galleries of the
main building were thrown open, and
u vast number of ladies took seats at
the open windows, and had splendid
view of the crowds in front and below
them.
About ten o'clock Mrs. Grant, and
Mrs. Robson and Mrs. Fish appeared
in front of the grand stand and were
recognized by u number of PERSONS
Shortly after ten o'clock Theodore
Thomas took his place, and at a signal
from General Hawley on the main
stand, the grand orchestra under his
baton, began the performance of the
national airs of all the nations, which
were loudly enchored successfully.
About 1890 o'clock the President
was announced and was cordially well
coined by Gen. Hawley, president of
the Centennial Commission, and Mr..
John Welsh, president OF the Board of
Finance. He was surrounded by Sec,
rotary Fish, Robeson and Taft, Attor-
ney General Pierrepolt, Generals Sher.
man, Sheridan and Hancock, and Col
Fred Grant. Dom Pedro and suite, the
diplomatic corps led by the dean, Sir
Edward Thornton, Minister from
Great Britain, and the members of
Congress.
AT noon the orchestra struck up the
Centennial Grand March, by Richard
Wagner, composition which through
out, bears the impression of the au-
thor's generous talent, being full of
grand music. IL was especially suited
for the open air performance on this
occasion,
The cantana. the words of which, by
Sidney Lanier, of Georgia. was the
conspicuous feature of all. The music
is by Dudley Buck, of Connecticut,
and is a composition of much more
merit than the words. The chorus
parts are spirited and fantastic.
Gen. Hawley then introduced the
right Rev. Bishop Mathew Simpson, of
the Methodist Episcopal church. who
with great eloquence and fervor de-
livered @ prayer.
The flag of the union was raised to
the top of che staff of the main build
ing. The hallelujah chorus was sung
by the grand chorus of singers, who
we're accompanied by salute of one
hundred guns. At the close Of the
hallelujah chorus the President taking
the arm of Mr.. Ferry, president of the
Senate. were followed by actingSpeak-
or Cox and other Congressman. Then
came the Foreign Embassy and other
officials and invited guests. who all
entered the main building and opened
the Exposition. Mrs. Grant walked
with Dom Pedro.
THE MILITARY.
After escorting the President and
other distinguished persons to the
grounds the military rested on the
avenues surrounding the buildings,
whence they returned to the city After
the President and guests had passed
through the main building and into
Machinery Hall the immense engine
was set in motion, and the people
who had attended the ceremonies
were allowed to visit most of the bull