The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-05-18
Centennial Correspondence.
PHILADELPHIA, May III, 1876.

national Exhibition was formally
opened yesterday ct Fairmount Park
by the President of the United States.
The public demonstration upon the
grounds was very imposing-by far
the grandest ceremony ever witnessed
in this country. 1t is now little over
five years since this exhibition receiy-
ed the sanction of law, and it is less
than two years since the first sod was
broken by the may OF of this city for
the site of the Main and Memorial
buildings. The first building erected
on the exhibition grounds was q mod
est structure, which, when completed,
contained the builders offices, but
which has long since dwindled into
insignificance by the side of the many
imposing buildings on the plateau.
When we see the magnitude of the
work, and how nearly it is to being
completed, the wonder is not that
some little disorded and incomplete
ness vet remain, but rather that every
thing is so nearly completed that the
opening ceremonies passed off success
fully and satisfactorily. ... ,..
The day and night previous to the
opening had been one of rain In
vain had "Oid Probabilities" tried to
assure our sinking spirits that the day
would be fair; but the winds and the
weather would not obey him. The
day dawned with clouds and rain. At
the rising of the SUN, or at what the
almanacs said would be sunrise-for
the clouds were too heavy to letu get
a peep at Sols coming-the bell on In
dependence Hall rang out that the
great day had at last come, and the
pcals were taken up and spread over
the city by other bells, until there was
ono continuous chime announcing to
the citizens and visitors of Philadel-
phia that the great Centennial holiday
had at last arrived. In about an hour
the drizzling rain turned into steady
pour, and the wind veering to the
southwest about the same time,
proved this TO be the "clearing up
shower" Soon after there was a
glimpse of sunshine and the depressed
spirits of the multitude began to rise.
But despite The rain OF the early morn
ing, the citizens were determined to
display the bunting they had prepared
for the interesting occasion. So fine
a show OF flag decorations was proba-
bly, never seen before in The country.
From every window, from every tow
er and steeple, from every mast of the
vessels in the river, from every place,
in fact, where flagstaff could be fast
ened or a rope suspended. waved the
stars and stripes. At an early hour
the people began TO move toward the
Exhibition grounds. Although the
Il. r. Companies had made every ar
rangement for the quickest transpor-
tation possible for passengers, it was
soon evident that their provisions for
this purpose were wholly Inadequate
for this occasion, however they may
answer for other days during the sea-
son. A continuous stream OF people
Oh foot, in carriages and cars, and in
every other Kind of vehicle conceiva-
Bile, went pouring along the principal
streets, while every by-street, lane and
alley was itself conduit for the pas
sage of the multitudes. The crowd
was immense. 1t is utterly impossible
to conceive its mag agnitude and it was
not Till this surging mass reached the
places of entrance to the exhibition
grounds and began to pour through
the gates, that the pressure was some
what relieved. The reader may Judge.
family though, of the vast numbers in
the crowd, when he is informed that
there were sold that day nearly too
hundred thousand tickets, and that the
visitors. invited guests, military, and
others WHO were admitted free, were
estimated at fifty thousand more.
This is the only Centennial any liv.
ing American can ever see, and it
seemed us though each one was deter
mined to see it. .,.. .-.
The opening ceremonies passed off
exactly as provided for in the pro-
gramme, beginning on time and pro-
ceeding steadily to the close. AT about
ten o'clock Thomas Orchestra began
to play variety of national airs, COM
prising among them the following ::
Washington's March, the Marseillaise,
National Hymns of Norway, Russia,
Sweden, Brazil, &c, closing with
Hail Columbia. Then began the arri-
val of distinguished personages and
invited guests-the President of the
United States, the Emperor of Brazil,
the Presidents Cabinet, members of
the Supreme Court, rt,distinguished Gen
erals of the Army, Governors of sew
eral Of the States, Foreign Officials,
United States Senators and Members
of the House of Representatives, &c.
Thomas Band played the. Grand
March composed by
Wagner especially for the occasion
1t was long and loudly applauded by
The vast multitude. Gen. Hawley then
Rev. Bishop Simpson who
offered prayer invoking Gods blessing
upon the enterprise and Offering the
thanks of millions for the blessings we
enjoy. AT the conclusion of the pray
sr, the hymn composed by J.. G.
Whittier, and music by John X. Payne
was sung. The large chorus of singers
of about one thousand in
rose at the signal from Theo.
lore Thomas, and commenced the
lymn. The effect of the melody upon
he multitude was electric cheer after
.heer al the close of each stanza, and
"a IN "a n1 tn