The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-05-19
PHILADELPHIA. MAY s lS16.

PHILADELPHIA, May S, 1876.
Tempus fugit. Nobody knows better
than Centennial Commissioner or Ex-
hibitor how much too flst tempus does
fugit for the successful maturing of hui
man plans and purposes. Even stealing
from the hours of sleep and turning
night into day, won't always suffice to
overtake the flying moments and keep
pace with the rising and settingsun. 80
with all their herculean efforts, these
/ Centennial people scratch their heads
and wish they had, like a man about to be
hung, respite-a little more time. But
the day is almost here. Next Wednes-
day morning Uncle Sam will take his
Centennial birthday breakfast and pick
his teeth with a rusty old '76 bayonet At
noon the American Eagle will perch
himself upon the tOp-most peak of the
Rocky Mountains, and with the tips of
his wings dipped in the two Oceans-not
forgetting to drop tail-feather or two in
the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Michigan
take retrospective survey of his own
greatness. We all sympathize with the
proud old Eagle, even when, on state oc-
casions, he takes ON the character of
turkey gobbler; and at this period, how
ever apt it might be, probably nobody
Will think of quoting SaxeIs lines:
Because you flourish in worldly affairs,
Don't be naughty and put on airs:
With insolent pride of station.
Don't be proud and turn up your nose
At poorer people in palmer clothes,
But learn for the sake of your souls repOse
That all proud flesh whenever it grows
Is subject to irritation"
The programme for the opening exer-
cises is completed and has already been
extensively published. Invitations have
been issued to the President, Cabinent
officers, Supreme Court judges, Diplo-
matte Corps, Congressman, Centennial
Board, Foreign Commissioners, Govern
Ors of States and Territories and their
stats, the Pennsylvania Legislature, city
authorities of Philadelphia, chief officers
ofthe army and navy, Womens National
Centennial Committee, Centennial Board
OfFinance, and others in official positions
and officially connected with the Exhibi-
ton. The Centennial grounds and build
ings will be opened to the public at 9A.M.
Memorial Hall, the Main Building, and
Machinery Hall will be reserved for in
vited guests until about noon. The ex-
ercise will take place in the open air, on
the south side of Memorial Hall. The
music consisting of an orchestra of 80
pieces and a chorus cf 500 voices, will be
given under the direction of Theodore
Thomas, assisted by Dudley Buck The
President will be escorted to the grounds
by Governor Hartranft and a division of
troops. The following is the programme
First.-Centennial Inauguration March
by Wagner. Second.-Prayer by Bishop
Simpson Third.-Hymn by John G.
Whittier: music by John X. Paine, of
Massachusetts, orchestral and organ ac-
compartment FOurth-Cantata words
by Sidney Lanier, Of Georgia; music by
Dudley Buck; orchestral and organ ac-
compartment. Fifth.-PresentatiOn Of
the Exhibition by the President of the
Centennial Commission. Sixth.--Address
by the President of the United States.
The declaration that the Exhibition is
open will be followed by the customary
firing of salutes, raising of flags, ringing
of the chimes and Handel's "Hallelujah
Chorus, with organ and orchestral accom-
paniment The Foreign Commissioners,
will be placed opposite their respective
sections in the main building. The Presi-
dent and invited guests will march
through the main building and the For
eign Commissioners, upon being passed
by the President, will join the procession,
when the whole body will cross to Ma
chinery Hall There President Grant
will set in motion the great engine and
machinery connected Herewith. A brief
reception by the President in the Judges
Pavilion will close the formal observance
of the day.
Congress has accepted the invitation
to be present in body. Some people
pretend to think this was a mistake, as it
might lead to "odorOus comparisons" Of
the national solons of these times with
those of one hundred years ago. What
ridiculous ideal To a man upa tree it
would seem that at this time we could
make due allowance for the shortcomings
of our fOrefathers. No doubt the MEM
beTs of the Continental Congress did the
best they could with their limited ad-
vantageS and experience, but everybody
will admit that the Congressmen Of the
present day could give them ten points
and discount them, in some things-a
game Of draw poker forinstance. There
is only one thing for which your cores
pondent could never forgive the authors
of the Declaration of Independence, and
that the inhumanity of locating the
Fourth of July in the middle of the
summer. However, we are not discuss
ing that point now.
Arrangements for the convenience and
comfort of visitors to the Exhibition are
very complete and extensive Nothing
that ingenuity could suggest has been
omitted yet with all this people cannot
expect to escape the discomforts which
are inseparahle from large gatherings. 1t
is human nature to "go With the crowd
and the larger the attendance promises
to be, the more anxious people will be to
go, though the majority of lhem will
never cease to complain Of being tOstled
andinconvenienced in the general scram-
bic. The department OF public comfort
las commodious office at the main en-
trance, which includes a free reading
room, facilities for writing and CORES
pondence, together with lavatories and
closets, and boot -blacking and clothes
brushing room. This department will
undertake the care of umbrellas, cloaks-
shawls, DC, for which checks are given,
and when the visitor is ready To leave his
Gtraps" will be found at q station in any
part of the ground he may designate
The Centennial Rolling Chair Company
have provided 800 chairs elevated on
wheels, and so constructed as to be al
most no3seless, which for a moderate
eharoa h1- tho honr ,,o,- be, ,,.,,.lo,-o1 a.