The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-06

ERAIs tHAWLEY AND vICE.PREsIDENT
FERRY-ELoQUENT GRAFTON BIZ w1L-
LIAM 81. EvARTs-POEM BY .BAYARD TAY-
LoR-FIRE-wORKs,' ETC.-LETTER FROM
| EMPEROR WILLIAM TO PRESIDENT
| GRANT. ~, s2r.
PHILADELPHIA, July Although the sun
shone brightly this morning the heat was not
a. intense as it has been for the past few
days, owing to a fine breeze which was pre-
vailing. The day was usheredin by the firing
ut sunrise OF national salute by the Key
stone Battery in Paramount Park, and by
the ringing OF the chimes and church bells
throughout the city. @12;tt
THE SCENE IN THE STREETS. NJ
At, q, very early hour throngs OF people
from all sections OF the city commenced
moving towards the streets oyer. which the
military parade was to pass, and by half
past s 10 clock those streets were crowded to
their utmost capacity The display OF bunt-
ing ON the principal streets was simply
| Wonde rfhI; banks, stores, public buildings,
and private Residences were ALI gay with
flags, streamers, and drapery. 10. !" 1877
.g.ae THE MILITARY DISPLAY. " @ s.;a@
The military! formed in: line on Broad
street, and commenced to move at half-past
O'Clock. ----- -'..---.sg. my.
The streets were IN excellent condition,
| and the troops marched with but very little
| inconvenience. They were enthusiastically
cheered at different points on the rottte. =
Among the features OF the parade was the
Centennial Legion, which was organized ex-
pressly for the occasion, and is composed OF
company from each OF the thirteen origi-
81 8oka 1oIl do
pendent Light Infantry. North Carolina;
| inton Light Infantry, South Carolina; State
Fencibles, Pennsylvania :. New Haven
Grays, Connecticut; First Light Infantry
Regiment, Rhode Island = Old Guard, vete.
ran battalion, New d York; Norfolk Light
Artillery Biuesy OF Virginin; CIinch Rifles,
OF Georgia.; Amoskeag Veterans, Of New
Hampshire ;; detail Of 100 men from the
Fifth Infantry OF Maryland; Phil. Kearney
Guards, OF New Jersey; American Rifles,
OF Delaware. as.~e...,...s .'s. .-......ss
COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES.
The commemorative exercises OF the day
were held in Independence Square, and at
10 O'Clock every available spot in the square
and on the streets in the vicinity were
crowded with people. A stand with seats
for four thousand invited guests had been
erected, and at 1915, when the ceremonies
| commenced, it was entirely filled.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONS PRESENT.
| The members OF the Japanese Centennial
Commission were among the first to take
their places on the platform. The arrival Of
Governor Hayes and General Sherman, and
Acknowledgement Sheridan soon after, was
the signal for great cheering. ;os..@ ..t
f.. 49, THE GRAND OVERTURE. q. ' ....-
At fifteen minutes past 10 O'Clock General
| Hawley called the immense assemblage to
order, and an orchestra of two hundred and
| fifty musicians, under the leadership of
| Professor Gilmore, opened with the grand
overture .'The Great Republic" arranged
for the occasion by the composer, George
+. Bristow, OF New York.
p. ~, ~. ALL HAIL DOM PEDRO.
| While the music was in progress . shout
OF enthusiasm SignaliZed the arrival OF the
Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro. He came
directly to the front Of the platform and ac-
knowledged the cheers Of the people by
raising his hat, and then returned to his
seat. ....
ADDRESS BY GENERAL HAWLEY.
At the conclusion Of the music General
Hawley advanced to the stand and an
nounced as the presiding officer OF the day
Hon. Thomas W. Ferry, Vice-President Of
the United States.
General uawley was greeted with an out
burst Of applause as he took. his seat, which
continued while Vice-President Ferry stood
upon the stand and made his, littlespeech.
PRAYER AND WELCOME.
Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens then
offered prayer, giving thanks, and invoking
the Divine blessing. At the conclusion Of
prayer the chorus sang the hymn "Wel-
come to all Nations" composed by Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Of Massachusetts,.
| READING TIE DECLARATION.
Vice-President Ferry then introduced
Richard Henry Lee, Of Virginia, who read
the Declaration Of Independence.
The original manuscript OF that document
was brought forward by Mayor Stokley, to
whose care it had been entrusted by the
President OF the United States. 1t was
placed upon the speakers stand facing the
vast multitude in the square, and for five
minutes the vicinity fairly rang with cheers.
Finally, quiet being restored, Mr.. Lee read
the Declaration in Clear, ringing voice.
The reading was frequently interrupted by
cheers Us some patriotic sentiment would be
heard. -.., /. :. ..
GREETING FROM BRAZIL.
Following the reading of the Declaration
came the greeting from Brazil, q hymn for
the first centennial of American indepen-
dence, composed by A.; Carlos Gomez, OF
Brazil, at the request Of his Majesty Dom
Pedro H., Emperor OF Brazil.
The announcement Of this portion of the
programme was received by the assemblage
with every manifestation OF favor. The
Emperor rose to his feet with the rest Of the
distinguished personages present, and lis
tened with great attention.
Bayard Taylor then recited the national
ode, OF about four hundred lines, COM
posed by himself. -
At the conclusion Of its reading he was
very heartily applauded. The grand
triumphal march, with chorus, =" Our Ma
tional Banner" by Dexter Smith, OF Massa-
chusetts, was then rendered by the orches-
the day, William NJ. Evarts, OF New York,
was introduced, and was the recipient OF
loud and continued cheers. 80, ..,,,.,
.g HON. W. NJ. EvARTs's GRAFTON. - 81
Mr.. Evarts devoted the largest part OF his
Grafton to clear, terse, and eloquent de-
scription Of the remote and proXimate causes
that led to the enunciation OF our Declare
ton of Independence, paying a glowing
tribute to the courage, foresight, and grand
determination OF its signers-a band OF pa
tl.iots who not only thereby founded our
freedom, but "proclaimed liberty to all the
peoples of the earth." 'E.,.sii u az
CONCLUSION OF CEREMONIES.
AR E,yarts having concluded his Grafton