Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-10

( "the completion or the first century OF orr
national existence should be commemorated
by an exhibition OF the natural resources of
The country and their development, and OF
It's progress In those arts which 0enei man
Kind" and ordered that an exhibition of
American and foreign arts, products, aad
manufactures should be held, under the aus
pieces ofthe government ofthe United States,
IN the city OF Philadelphia. In the year 1876.
To put into effect the several laws relating
10 the Exhibition, the United States Centen-
! fal Commission was constitu ted, composei
OF two commissioners from each state and
territory, nominated by their respective gov
ernors, and appointed by the President. Tne
congress also created our auxiliary and assO-
clate corporation, the Centennial board OF
nnance, whose Unexpectedly heavy burderrS
nave been pobly borne. A remarkable and
| prolonged disturbance of the finances and
| Industries OF the country has greatly masnt-
! ned the task: but we hope for favorable
| Judgment OF the degree of success attained
july 4, 1873, this ground was dedicated 10 its
| present uses. Twenty one months ago this
Memorial hall was begun. All the other ore
| hundr and eighty buildings within the in
closule have been erected within twelve
| months. All the buildings embraced 10 the
| plans OF the commission Itself are finished.
| The demands OF applicants exceeded the
| space, and strenuous and continuous efforts
have been made TO get every exhibit ready
| in time.
BY general consent the Exhibition is ap-
| propriately held in the City OF Brotheriy
Love 1oEder, almost within your view,
| stand the veneratCd edifice wherein occurred
| The event this work is dssisned to comment
crate, and the hall In which the first CONT
mental Congress assembled. Within the
| present limits OF this great park were the
| homes of eminent patriots of that era, where
| Washir gtCn and his associates received
| generous hospitality and able counsel. You
| have observed the surprising beauty OF the
| situation placed az our disposal. la har-
| mony with all this fitness is the liberal SUM-
port given the enterprise by the state, the
| city, and the people Individually.
| In the name OF the United States you ex-
| tended RESP ectful and cordial invitation
| 10 the governments of other nations TO be
N npr1i ci no 70 in this
| bIL1on. You know the very acceptable terms
| 10 which they responded, from even the most
9lstant regions. Their commissioners are
| here, and you will soon see with what en-
| ergy and brilliancy they have entered upon
| this friendly competition in the arts of peace.
| II has been the fervent hope of the Com
| mission that during this festival year the
| people from all states and sections. of all
| creeds and churches, all parties and classes,
| burylpg all re5entments, would come up to-
gether 10 this birthplace of our liberties, tC
| study Tie evidence Of our resources; TO meas
| ure me progress of an hundred years; and TO
| examine toour profit the wonderful products
OF other lands; but especially to join hands
| III perfect fraternity. and promise the God of
our ia am s mat the new century shan sur
| ZION. And furthermore, that from the asso-
| clarion here OF welcome visitors from all ma
| irons, there may result not alone great bene-
| MIS- 10 invention, manufactures, agricul
| ture trade and commerce, but also stronger
international friendships and more lasting
| peace.
| Thus reporting to you, Mr.. President, uu-
| der the laws Of the government aud the us ige
| 3f similar occasions, in the name OF the
| Uhlted STATES Centennial Commission, /
| present 10 your view the International EX-
| hibitiCn OF 1876.
The President OF the United States al five
| minutes of j. O'Clock, amid great applause
| delivered his speech accepting the trust.
The Presidents Speech
| Ath'IeSs on The President Of the United States,
| ami PToctdDtd ion Of The Opening 81 the {asCr-
| national Inhibition, Of 1876.
IL
| appropriate, upon this Centennial occasion,
| TO bring together in Philadelphia, for popu-
| lar inspection. specimens Of our attachments
! in the Industrial and fine arts, and liz Iitera.
! ture, science and philosophy, as well as in
| me great business OF agriculture ana OF com.
| mere.
| That we may the more thoroughly apDre-
| ciate the eXcellehcies and deficiencies or our
| achievements and also give emphatic ex-
| preston to ouf earnest desire 10 cultivate
| the friendship OF our fellow-nembers OF the
| great family OF nations, the enlightened ag-
| ricultural, commercial, and manufacturing
| people OF the world have been invited TO senl
| hither corresponding specimens OF their skill
| TO exhibit ON equal ter ms in friendly compe-
ution with our own. To this invitation they
have generously responded; for SO doing we
| render them our hearty thanks,
The beauty and utility OF the contr buttons
| will this day be submitted to your inspec-
4 ton by the managers OF this Exhibition. We
| are glad to know that a view of specimens OF
| the skill OF all nations will afford TO you
unalloyed pleasure, as well as Yield TO you a
| valuable practical knowledge of so many OF
| The remarkable results OF the wonderful skill
existing in enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was
| new and but partially settled. Our necessi-
| ties have compelled us TO chiefly expend our
| means and time in telling forests, subduing
praiiies, building dwellings, factories, ships,
docks, warehouses, roads, canals, mschiue-
~. ETC., etc. Most of our schools, churches,
| Libraries, and asy lums have been established
within an hundred years. Burthened by
these great primal works OF necessity which
| could not be delayed, we yet have done what
| this exhibition will show in the direction of
| r1valing older and more advanced nations
| IN law. medicine and theology; In science,
literature, philosophy and the fine arts.
| whist proud OF what we have done, We re
gret that We have not done more. Our
| achievements have been great enough, how
ever, to make 1t easy for our people to ac-
| knowledge superior merit wherev er found.
And now, fellow citizens, L hope a careful
| examination of what is about to be exhi oited
| to you will not only inspire you with a pro-
| found respect for the skill and taste of our
| friends from other nations, but also satisfy
You with the attachments made by our own
people during the past one hundred years.
/ l invoke your generous CO operation with
| the worthy commissioners TO secure a bril-
| liant success TO this national exhibition,
and TO make the stay of our foreign visitors
Ito whom we extend a hearty welcome
| both profitable and pleasant TO them.
declare the Centennial Exhibition now
| open.
The President was then loudly cheered,
| the Emperor OF Brazil rising in his seat and
| Joining in the demonstration by waving his
| nat.
One Hundred Thousand PeOple
1t was estimated that there were not far
| from 100 coo people in the assemblage at this
| time.
The Cantata.
AT 1885 Mr.. Laniers' Cantat2 heretofore
| publishedl music by Dudley BUCK, OF Con-
| necticut, was rendered with very great effect.
| Every word of fbe basso solo, by Myron w.
| Whitney. OF Boston, was distinctly audible
| at the rear of the guests platform. The as
semblage maintained excellent order
| throughout, and they loudly applauded Me-.
Whitney, who acknowledged the compli-
| mept by repeating portion of the Cantata-
At the close the members of the chorus called
| for Mr.. Buck, the composer of the music,
who made his appearance and bowed an ac-
Acknowledgement or the compliment.
At High Noon.
At precisely ~ O'Clock, at signal from
General Hawley, the American flag was
| unfurled from the main building. The Hal
| lelujah Chorus was rendered with orchestral
| and organ accompaniment. A salute of 100
guns was fired from Georges Hill torether