The New York herald., 1876-07-05

tion, the walls OF old State House, bcngat
the height OF tho second floor windows, from which
to tho platform was obtaincd The platform
sloped gently down toward the front that at the rail,
where the speakers stand occupied the centre
only lew feet from the ground Seats Tor 1000 were
provided upon for invited guests and II Is needless
10 say that every one filed Canvas awnings we're
spread overhead to keep Oh the fervd heat OF The
DECORATIONS.
The decorations on the platform were not over nu-
merous, but they wercappropriate and tasteful Along
the front OF the stand, at the top and bottom, were
large American flags gathered in folds At the sides
we're the same, while the corners and the supporting
columns were embelshcd with small silken banners
bearing the coas-of-arms Of the various States. Tho
columns were also entwined with the national
coors Appropriately enuugh-uniike everything in
the way OF decoration that we have seen IN Phladel
pha OF atetnc flags OF all nations were not cntwired
with ours There was hing International about the
ceremonies and the American coors were the only
ones seen at this American celebration.
MUSIC STAND.
Directly opposite the speakers stand, ut the
trcme southern sidc of Independence square. along
Walnut street. extended the platform upon which
Glmorcs instrumental orchestra of 100 men and the
chorus OF 800 voices, upon whom were to devove INC
musical portion OF tho exercises IL is TO be regretted
,nat .his platform was hot sso snul'eIeu oy aNnInss
like the other. This had, unfortunately, been neg
ccted and the occupants were left exposed to the
pitilcss rays OF 4 scorchne sun.
PoPUfAcE
surgpg dense mass of sweltcring humanity filled
Independence square from an early hour IN the morn
ing Full so 900 people were packed, saranc IKE, IN
ull OF patriotism though they had not waited
weary time and the thermomcter were not up iu tho
nnctics not only cheering everything and everybody
that gave OCCASION but seeking tor something to cheer
for. When the new bell struck the hour; when pass
ing band in the procession on Chestnut street heard
to play patriotic air, few strains OF which were
waited toward them by tho wind, as though
n door had opened and closed; when some notability
appeared 10 take his place on the patiorm--al these
opportunities for patriotic eryor To hnd vent and
they were taken advantage OF accordingly The police
arrangements were excellent the passageways for the
press other invited guests beng kept open as long
as was necessary, and although the crowd Increased
every moment the police kept clear portion OF Chest
nut sixth streets, that arriving guests not
incommoded by the crush.
Gradually the streets about the old Hall and tho
square hllod up inch of ground the little
park had been soizcd. There had oecn so 900 people
the square be ore, counting the T. 800 guests, who
had by this time filled tho platform. When the rush
came Fifth street, Sixth street. Chestnut street and
Walnut street were completely gorged by the strug-
Cling sighseers and 1t is certain that there must have
oyx HUNDRED AND PITY THOUSAND
people gathered within the block bounded by these four
streets and the immediate neishborhood As to the
character of the assembage all that need be said is
that was such as only so glorious AN occasion could
have brought forth There were not only Americans,
OF all ages and coors Of both sexes and OF every con
don lie. from the millionaire to the lahorcr, but
foreigners visitors to the Exhibition from every
ton aud cline But all alike seemed to share in the
spirit the day aud even the Englshman checred as
loudly AS he ''nativo and to the manner born"
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Tho arst notable guest catch eyes Of the crowd
was the Hon. Rutherford b. Hayes, Governor OF OHIO
He recognized hero and there by people in the
crowd who knew him, and the word passed around
until The possible next President OF the United States
u
and General sheridan the OF prominence TO
receive similar welcome and SO on and on one
after another appeared, unii the Emperor OF Brazil
Dom Pedro, appeared, when the climax was reached He
upon the platform his hurried business like way
AID began shaking hands right and left with the dig
nitaries bcginn ny, us It happencdprobably by acci
dcnt--wth Governor Hayes. Conspicuous IN the fore
ground Governor Hayes was seated Around and in
close proximity Vice President Ferry, OF Mchi-
gan the Marquis dc Rochambeau, of France; I. W.
Nosio Imperial Japanese Commissioner with several
distinguished generals OF JAPAN Vice President Nctto
nf tha RFu1 ilan IN g n Gam
eron, William NJ Evarts, of New York. tho orator
OF The day; Bayard Taylor. OF Pennsylvania; Right Rev.
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia; United States Sena-
tors Herman OF New York. and Booth, oil California;
Harrison Lud ngton. OF Wisconsin; Governor McCor.
mick oil Arizona Governor Carroll, Of Maryland;
Governor Peck, of Vermont, and s,an Governor lap
pitt of Rhode Island; ex Governor Bigier, OF Pennsyl-
vania; Ex-Governor Walker. OF Virginia; cx-
Governor Noyes. OF Ohio; the officers Of the
Centennial management, headed by John Welsh;
President or the Board OF Finance; Thomas Cochran,
John Wansmaker and othcr members; President Haw
ley, Of the CoInmission Chairman Morrcl of tho
Executive Committee; Commissioner Asa Packer, of
Pennsylvania and numerous others OF tho body Gen.
eral Merrill OF the Bureau OF Awards; Captain Moore,
Secretary to General Hawley; Colonel Looms, COM
mandant OF the New York department Grand Army OF
the Rcpublic Mayor Johnston, OF Cincinnati; Morton
DAVIS OF Bnghampton, n. y. A ar.e delegation OF
congressman, Mayor Stokey and members OF the city
government and ladies and gentlemen of Philadelphia
THE CEREMONIES nEoux
At fifteen minutes after ten O'Clock, President Haw-
ley, OF the Centennial Commission under whose drec-
ton the exercises were conducted gave tho signal to
the o. chcstra, and the popular acclaim which
this action subsded, the grand orchestra Of $50
musicians, led by the spirited baton OF Mr.. p. s. Gil
more began the overture entitled rhe Grand Repub-
lc," founded the national air or Hail.
CIumba and arranged for the occasion by the compo
SER George y. Bristow, OF New York. The opening
strains were rich IN harmonzaiion but no mixing OF
tie pregnant theme was heard IN the musical compost
ton until the beginning OF tho second movement,
when very gradually tie grand old hymn began to
assert itself and was brought forward moro and more
prominently until tho full orchestra finally burst forth
with the noble theme and The pure, simple harmones
the "Hail. Columbia |" AS these familiar and stir
ring sounds echoed through Independence square
thousands OF voices joined IN general shout OF wei
come.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER INTRODUCED
When the music ceased General Hawlcy assembled the
speakers stand and introduced the presiding officer OF
the day ia the following Words
FELLOW CITIZENS FRIENDS OF OUR NAroS-One
hundrcd years ago the Republic proclaimed this
spot We have come together to celebrate the day by
brief and simple observances which indicate, though
fecbiy, our wonder. our pride and our gratitude.
This presence to-day proves the good will existing
among all nations !Applausc) For the strangers
among us thousand welcomes! Increased enthusL
asm. For the land we love, liberty, peace, justice,
prosperity aud the blessing OF God to tho end Of all
BY tho direction of the commission l have the
honor to announce as the presiding officer of ihe day,
noS. THOMAS W. PERRY, PRESIDENT ov THE UNITED
srATEs
The Vice President upon assuming the chair, re-
ceived cordial welcome In the long continued cheers
Of the great gathering The platform, which was
pcaicd again ana again by the crowd beyond. When
quot bad been Restored he delivered brief, eloquent
address
STEVENS
Almighty ana Eternal God wc come before Thee
to praise Thy glorious name. and TO gye Thee most
humble and hearty thanks Tor tho nestmabc bless
ings which Us nation We this day enjoy
We dcvoutly recognize Thy Fatherly hand in the
planting and maturing OF these colonies; carrying
them through the peris and trials OF war; IN cstab-
lishlng them IN peace; and In permitting cello
bratc this hundreth birthday Of our independence.
We thank Thee, God that Thou didst inspire the
hearts oi Thy lay here the foundations OF
p and liberty; to proclaim here those principles
which have wrought out for such civil and religious
blessings; aud 70 set up here a government which
Thou hast trowncd by Thy blessing and guarded by
Thy hand 10 this day.
The whole praise and glory OF these great merccs we
ascrbc, q Godi To Thee ''Not unto us. q Lord not
unto UGt unto Thy name 10 all the glory for by
Thee only have been led to take present post
tion among the nations o The earth. Az Thou wssrour
Fathers God In tunes past, We besccch Thee to be our