The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-05-13
Opening of the Centennial

The formal opening of the Centennial
International Exhibition took place
Wednesday with imposing ceremonies,
in accordance with the programme pre-
viously announced. There were pres.
ent, the President of the United States,
the Emperor and Empress of Brazil,
Cabinet officers, Justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States. members of
the Diplomatic Corps, Senators and
Representatives in Congress, officers of
the army and navy, Governors of
States, Justices of the State Courts and
members of the Legislature, the Mayor
and Councilmen of Philadelphia, and
thousands of citizens. The musical
performances included Whittier's
Hymn, Sidney Lanier's Cantata and
the Hallelujah chorus. Mr.. John " elsh,
President of the Centennial Board of
Finance, made the presentation Of the
buildings, and General Joseph r. Haw-
ley, President of the Centennial Com.
mission, turned over the Exhibition to
the President of the United States, who
responded as follows
Nv Fetto1C COuntrymen : 1t bas been THOUGHT
appropriate. upon this Centennial occasion TO
bring tOgEthaf IN Philadelphia. for popular in.
speclion specimens of our attainn6nts In The
industrial and fine arts and in literature sci.
ence and philosophy. as well as IN the great
business OF aRrleultnre and of cOmmeIce.
That we may the more thoroughly appreci.
ate the eNcelences and deficiencies Of our
achievements. ana also give emphatic express
sion to ouy earnest desire to cultivate the
irendshlp ~ our fellow members of this great
FANNY of nations, the enlightened agTicul.
tural, commercial and manufacturing people
OF the world have been invited to s6nd hither
corresponding specimens oil tneif skill to ex.
hlbtt on equal terms in friendly competition
with our own. To this invitation they have
generously responded for so doing we renuer
tint m our hearty thanks.
The Deauty and utility of the contributions
VIII thiS day be submitted In your inspection
by the Managers of this Exhibition. We are
GLAD 10 Know that Il view of specimens OF the
skill OF ali nations Will afford to Won una loved
pleasure, as vel AS yield TO you valuable
pracutal knowledge Of so many Of the remark.
able results OF the wonderful sKlll existing in
enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was new
ana but partially eettled. Our necessities have
compelled us to Chiefly eXpend our means and
time III telling forests s1bduing praries, build
ing dive lings, factories, ships docks ware.
houses. ROADS, canals, machinery etc, etc
Most or our schools, churches, libraries and
"sylums have been establis he'd within an hund.
red years. Bnrthened Dy these great primal
works OF necessity. which could not lie prefer
mltUed, we have vet done what this Exhibition
VIII show In the direction on rivahnp older and
more advanced nauOns, in law, medicine and
theology in science literature philosophy and
the tne arts Whist proud of hat we have
done we regret that We have not done more
our acmeVemonts have been great enough
however to make it easy for Our people to nc.
KNOWLEDGE superior merit wherever found.
And now, teilOw.CGlZens, ! hope n careful ex.
animation OF what is aOOut to be exhibited to
you WI l NOT only inspire yOu with n profound
Iespect Tor lhe skill and taste OF our friends
from OUnef nations, hut also satisfy YOU with
the attainments made by our own people during
the past one hundred years. | invoke your
gene Ous co operation with the worthy commits
ternaaonal Exhibition, und to MAKE the stay of
onr foreign VlsltOrs-tO whom we extend n
hearty welcOme-both profitable ard peasant
TO them. TT
declare the International Exhibition now
open
At the conclusion Of the Presidents
remarks, at noon exactly, the Ameri-
can flag was run up on the highest peak
OF the Main Building, a salute of 100
guns were fired from Georges Hill, and
the bells in Machinery Hall rang out
their chimes. The Presidential party
then passed through the Main Building
and Machinery Hall, and the ceremon-
les ended with a reception by the Presi-
dent in the Judges pavilion. The
Women's Exhibition Building was
opened by the Empress of Bralll.