The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-13
PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
Opening Ceremonies or the Grand
Exhibition. .-. ..
PHILADELPHIA, May 10, 1875.


From our Regular Correspondent.
The weather during the two or three
days preceding the opening OF the Grand
Centennial Exhibition was not such as 10
encourage visitors from the neighboring
cities and States to come Oh for the occa-
sion, The hot and sultry weather OF last
week was followed by cold rain, which
was perhaps appropriate to the occasion,
inasmuch as 1t put the principal thor
oughtares, as well rs the by-ways OF the
city, in a state which, SO far as slush is
concerned, served to remind one of the
mud.p pixies of the early days ofthe rePub'
lie, but which WAS nevertheless not duly
appreciated by the numerous visitors who
had already arrived, or by those who were
en- route from more distant place., and
il the streets OF the city we're in such
condition rs to be almost impossible, how
then, could the newly laid out, and poor
ly, and but nalf paved walks in the Gen.
tenn,al Grounds be expected " sustain
the pressure of such throng OF visitors
as was already in attendance in spite OF
all obstacles.
Yesterday the rain was almost inces-
SAINT, vet every train that arrived in the
city brought hundreds of officials and
others, to whom the invitation of the
Centennial Commission had been ex'
tended, to be present at the opening cere
monies The President, with family and
the cabinet, arrived in special train at
noon. and the same train brought the
Emperor of Brazil and suite, who occu-
pied a special car. During the day
the various military organization OF
the country continued to arrive
most of them presenting be-
draggled appearance in spite OF brass.
bands pnd new uniform. The uptown
hotels having been already Tor several
days taxed to their utmost capacity, 1t
was during the day and evening, not an
unfrequent sight to see new comers-
ladies' as we'll as gentlemen-wading
through the streets In the drizzIing rain,
in quest of accommodations. Far above
the multitude, from every top story WIN
dow, the star-spangled banner WAS max.
ing an unsuccessful Ell rt to wave them
y welcome; but after while even the
flags gave it up as bad job, ana curied
themselves up like other wet linen.
This morning we were awakened by
the chime of the old liberty bell, which,
in accordance with proclamation issued
by the Mayor of the city, was rung Tor
held an hour at sunrise. 1t was expected
that il would be accompanied by all the
church bells of the city, but it was not,
and ster il had ceased ringing, the city
relapsed once more into silence. But
this did not last long. Soon the clatter
of horses hoofs was heard upon the prin-
cipal streets; the cavalry was turning
out ~. Presently theinfantry, aud various
civil organizations, were heard parading;
brass bands were making the morning
air lively with national music. The
Grand celebration had commenced.
A peep out of the window revealed the
rather unpleasant fact that the weather
wss Apparently threatening The sky,
hoveyer. was not obscured BY clouds
hat wa almost totally hidden BY the mu.
Iona O, fiags which wera Ansiing IN all
d,recsloas. As early in the morning as
6 o'clock every conveyance running To-
ward the Centennial was uhpleasaht'y
crowded, while those running IN other
directions were proportionately empty.
Bv 7 o'clock the grounds were beginning
to fill up, and long before nine the grand
stand Intended for invited guests was
crowded, and he aids upon whom 1t de-
yolved to keep order could only with the
u,mos, difficulty keep the surging crowd
with in bounds. Al forty minutes past
nine the President with his party
appeared upon the platform, their
coming being signaled bya prolonged
cheering. They were received by Gen.
Havly President Of the [ entenniai Com
mission. who conducted them TO the seats
| sat .side Tor their use. AT 10 minutes
after 10 o'clock. Gen. Hswly appeared
upon the speakers stand and by the wsv
ing ofs white silk handkerchief an
nounced the opening OF the ceremonies
The grand orche<trs Of $50 performers,
under the direction of Thodore Thomas
immediately commenced performing the
| ,.t;ooal AIRS oil all nations, commencing
! with the sWashington March, which
formed the first part OF the Progrsmme,
A. half pas ten HIS Majesty, the Emper-
O, Of Brazil, made his appearance iot'
loved by hi. stafi and various members
! OF foreign legations. Shortly after ihe!I
! arrival the we'll known sound OF -Haii
Columbia the last Of the national airs.
J b,oke upon The multitude, Who answered
by three tremendous cheers. By this
time !, is estimated that between $1,000
and 100000 people ~ere upon the
grounds
With The lsss strain Of the music,
General Hawley reaPpeared spon the
stand, formally Introducing tbs Pres.
dent OF the United States. The Grand
isausurssioa march. composed Tor the 90
c.sion BY Richard Wagner. the greatest