New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-11
BY TELEGR APH
THE CENTENNIAL.

THE CENTENNIAL.
The Opening Day-The Ceremonies-Fresi-
dent Graut's Address.
PHILADELPHIA, May 1O.-Today is q
legal holiday and all business ID suspen0eo.
The gates were opened at nine o'clock. The
sky was olouGless. The foreign cOmmis.
sioners and other distinguished visitors had
q special entrance and were seated with
out confusion. Fully $4,000 persons are on
the ground.
At 1890 A. M. Dom Pedro was escorted
to seat by General Hawley. At 1910
A. M. General Philip H. Sheridan and wife
passed over from the building to the stand
in front of Memorial Hall. He was followed
closely by Hon. James G. Blaine, Senator
Jones, of Nevada, and wife.
At 1855 the President entered through
Memorial Hall, and was conducted to
seat on the front Of the platform. Cover
nor Hartranft, General Hawley and Hon.
D. j. Morrill,, occupied eeats on bis left,
while Messrs. John Welsh and Gosborn
were on his right. Fred Douglass worked
bis way through the crowd aud was helped
ever the ropes by officers and conducted u
. seat on tho platform. He was greeted
with cheers.
At 1903 the Wagner centennial Inaugu-
chestra, under direction of Theodore
Thomas.
At the conclusion of this Bishop Simpson
offered devout prayer, during the render
ing of which the majority Of the vast as
semblags stood with uncovered heads.
The ceremonies continued with the hymn
by Joan Greenleaf Whittier; presentation
Of buildings to the United States Centen-
nial Commission by Centennial Commits
-: I of
ton of the exhibition to the President Of
the United States by Joseph K. Hawley.
The President spoke as follows:
Nv COuntrymen-lt has been thought
appropriate upon this centennial occasion
to bring together in Philadelphia, for popu-
lar inspection, specimens of our attainments
in the Industrial and fne.arts, and in liter
ature, science and philosophy, as we'll as in
the great business of agriculture and COM
merce. That we may the more thoroughly
appreciate the excel!enoies and deficiencies
of our achievements, and also give emphatic
expression to our earnest desire to cultivate
the friendship of our fellow members OF
this great family Of nations, the en-
lightened agricultural, commercial and
manufacturing people OF the world have
been invited to send hitber correspond
ing specimens of their skill to exhibit
on equal terms in friendly competition with
our own. To this invitation they have gen
erousiy responded. For 80 doing we ten
der them our hearty thanks. The beauty
and utility of the contributions will this
day be submitted TO your inspection by The
managers of this exhibition. We all
know that view of the specl-
mems of the skill of all nations
will afford to you uualloyed pleasure, as
we'll as yield to you valuable practical
kuo owledge of many of the remarkable
results of the wonderful skill existing in
enlightened communities.
One hundred years ego our country was
new and but partially settled. Our neces-
sites have compelled US to chiefly expend
our means and time in telling forests, sub
DUNG prairiee, building dwellings, factories,
ships, docks, warehouses, roads, canals, ma
chinery, etc, and most Of our schools,
churches, Libraries and asylums have been
established.
In 100 years, burdened by these great
primal works of necessity, which could not
be delayed, we have done what this exhibi.
ton will show in the direction of rivaling
older and more advanced nations in law,
| medicine and theology, in science, litera-
ture, philosophy and the fine arts. While
proud of what We have done, we regret that
we have not done more. Our achievements
have been great enough. however, to make
it easy for our people to ackno Wedge su-
perior merit wherever found.
And now, ow-citizens, hope careful
examination of what is about to be ex-
hibited to you will not only inspire you
with profound respect for the skill and
taste Of your friends from other nations,
but also satisfy you with the attainments
made by our people during the past LOO
years. l invoke your generous cO-opera-
ton with the worthy commissioners to Sc
cure brilliant success to this international
exhibition and to make the stay of our for
eign visitors, to whom We extend a hearty
welcome, both profitable and pleasant to
them. l declare the international exhibition
now open.
Starting the Machinery.
Ore Of the most impressive scenes of to-
day was the President, assisted by his i'm
perial majesty Dom Pedro, starting the mo-
tive power of the hall. At a given signal
from General Hawley. the President and
the Emperor each seized a crank and open
ing the valves, turned them several times.
Al once sound was heard which gave the
people to understand that the engine was
about to move. Then the monster seventy
ton hy-wheel began slowly moving. increas-
ing gradually in rapiiity until it was trav-
cling at'its full speed.
General Hawley started the hurrah.
which was taken up by the surrounding
multitude. Deafening cheers travelled
in the building began moving, the ringing
of bells and other demonstrations told to
the world that the Centennial Exhibition
was fully opened.
Dom Pedro.s Visit.
The Empress of Brazil, escorted by Mrs.
Gillespie, visited the women's pavilion this
evening, and made tour Of all the aisles
and passages. There were no fOrmalities at
tending the visit. Dom Pedro also visited
the pavilion, and gave emphatic approvals
of the work there displayed by American
The Military Display.
At half past seven o'clock this morning
the different military organizations which
were to take part in the parade to the exhi-
tiOn buildings formed in line on Broad
street. At eight o'clock the line of march
was taken up toward the centennial grounds.
At Twenty.second and Walnut streets the
cavalcade was joined by President Grant,
who rode in a carriage. accompanied by
Governor Hartranft, Of Pennsylvania.
The President was escorted by the First
Then followed Governor Rice, OF Massa-
chusette, with his staff and escort, the lat.
ter consisting of the Boston Cadets and
Boston Lancers. The scene along the route
was very animating. As the grounds were
approached the enthusiasm of the multi
tudes assembled knew no bounds. Tho ap.
pearance presented by the Boston soldiery
was commented en- in the most compli-
mentary terms, and they were frequently
cheered.
When the city troops reached the en-
trance to the main hull ding they formed in
line. saluting the President and his party.
who filed into the hall, amid the cheers Of
the men and waving of handkerchief and
flags by the ladies.
Governor Rice and his staff were the re-
eipients Of a similar compliment. and as tha