The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-05-18
wHIr1IER's CENTENNIAL HYMN.

Simpson o; the ". 6. church, came the
singing Of
wHTr1IEK's CENTENNIAL HMM.
Our fathers God from out whose hand
The centuries fall ike grains OF sand,
We meet TO day, united free,
And loyal to our land and Thee
t. thank Thee for the done,
And trust Thee for the opening one.
Here where of old, by Thy design
The fathers spake that word of Thine
hose echo is the glad refrain
Of rendei holt and falling chain.
Tograee our festAl time, from all
The zones OF earth our guests We call
Be with US while the New World gree,s
The Old World thronging all its streets.
Unwilling all the truimPhs won
BY art or toll beneath the sun;
And unto common good ordain
This ryaship of hand and brain
Thou who hast here in coneord.furle,i
The war flags of gathered world,
Beneath our western skies fu fill
The Orent's mission Of good will,
And, freghtei with Loves Goden Fleece,
send back its Argonauts oi peace.
For art and labor met in truce,
For beauty made the bride OF use,
We thank hee; but withal
The austere virtues strong To save,
TIE honor proof TO place or gold,
The manhood never bought or sold
oh, make Thou US, through centuries LnE,
In peace secure, In justice strong;
Around our gift OF freedom draw
The safeguards Of Thy righteous law:
And, cast in some diviner mold,
Let the new cycle shame the oil
The presentation Of the buildings then
took place, the Board vi Finance with ap-
propriate speeches and ceremonials, turning
over the buildings to the commission.
Next followed the singing of Sidney
Loucers Cantata, by the full chorus, ac-
companied by the orchestra The applause
OF the vast crowd was enthusiastic. Por-
tions Of the music were encored and espe-
cially the bass solo sung by Mr.. Whitney,
of Boston.
wEIsH's ADDRESS.
Jno. Welsh, president Of the eentennia,
board OF finances, then formally presented
the buildings to the United States centen-
NAL commission, concluding his address as
follows: Ladies and gentlemen-if, in the
past, We have met with disappointment,
difficulties and trials, they have been over
come BY the consciousness that no sacrifice
can be too great, which Is made to honor
the memories OF those who brought our
nation into being. This commemoration
of the events of l716 excites our present
gratitude. The assemblage here, to-day, Of
SO many foreign representatives, uniting
with us in this reverential tribute, Is our
reward. We congratulate you on the oc-
currence of this day. Many OF the nations
have gathered here in peaceful COM
petition. Each may profit by the associa
ton. This exhibition is but a school. The
more thoroughly its lessons are learned,
the greater will the gain; and
when it shall have closed, if
by that study, the nations engaged in it
shall have learned respect for each other,
then it may be hoped that veneration for
Him who rules on high will become univer-
sal, and the angels song once more heard,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace and goodwill towards men,"
- THE PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Mr.. Joseph J. Hawley, pre- sident OF the
centennial commission, presented the eNhi-
bition to the President of the United
States, which was warmly received. After
giving an account Of the inception of the
National Exposition history; its organiza-
ton, &C., which is familiar to every one,
he said that on July 4th, 1873, that this
ground was dedicated to Its present Use
that twenty-one months ago this memorial
hall was begun that air the other $50
buildings, within the enclosure, have been
erected within the last twelve months; that
all the buildings, embraced in the plans Of
the commissions, itself, are finished; that
the demands of the applicants exceeded the
space and that strenuous and continuous ef-
forts had been made 10 get every exhibit
ready in time.
BY general consent, the exhibition Is APP
held in the "Clty OF Brotherly |
Love-" Almost within your view, stands |
the venerable edifice wherein occurred the |
event this work is designated to commemo- |
rate and the hall in which the first CONT |
mental Congress assembled, was within the |
limits OF this great park. Here were the |
homes of the eminent patriots Of that era, |
where Washington and his associates re-
ceived generous hospitality and able coun. |
sci. You have observed the surprising |
beauty Of the situation placed at our dis
posal. In harmony with all this fitness is
the liberal support given the enterprise
by the State, the city, and the peo-
pie, individually. In the name of the
United States you have extended a respectful |
and cordial invitation to governments and
other nations to be represented, and to par
ticipate in the exhibition, you know how
very acceptably they responded from even
the most distant regions. Their commits
sioners are here, and you will soon see with
what energy and brilliancy they have en-
tered upon this friendly competition in arts
Of peace. 1t has been the fervent hope oil
the commission that, during this festival
year, the people from all states and sections,
Of all creeds and churches, all parties and
classes, bringing all sentiments, would come
up together to this birth place OF liberty
10 study the evidence Of our resources, to
measure the progress of one hundred
years, and TO examine into our profit
from the wonderful products OF
other lands, but especially Join hands in
perfect fraternity, and promise the God of
our fathers that the new century shall sur
pass the old in the true glories of civiliza-
ton; and Furthermore that from the ascot
alton here of welcome visitors from all ma
lions, there may result not alone great ben
eiits to inventors, manufactures, agricul
lure, trade and commerce, but also stronger
friendships and more lasting
peace. Thus reporting to you, Mr.. PresI-
lent, under the laws of government and
he usage of similar occasions, in the name
IF the United States Centennial Commission,
present to your view the International
Exhibition of 1876.
PRESIDENT GRANTS address.
When President Grant rose to respond, he
vas greeted with enthusiastic and long con-
inued applause, followed by three cheers
and a tiger, led by General Hawley. Pres
dent Grant then read his response to the
presentation address.
His response was brief, and expressed in
terms. He dwelt on the I'M
portaDce of the exhibition, and the great
ness of the events which it commentaries,
,ut so great was the confusion in the crowd,
md 80 low the tone of voice in which the
peech was read, that people only few
Iards away could not hear what was utter
d. The close of the Presidents brief adj
iress was followed by the raising of
lag on the main building, which was the
ignal that the exhibition was open. Sa-
utes were then fired, bells commenced
inging, the chorus began singing the Hal
elujah Chorus, chimes commenced ringing
'arioUs airs, and the President and invited
,uests, AMID cheers from the crowd, began
he procession through the main buildings
md machinery hall.
President Grants address, in full, is a.
ollows:
My COUNTRYMEN 1t has been thought
appropriate, upon this centennial occasion,
0 bring together, in Philadelphia, for popu-
ar inspection, specimens of our attainments
a the industrial and fine arts, and in liter