The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-05-11
Address by President
Grant.
Whittier's Hymn and Lam
ier's Cantata.
Brilliant Illumination i'm the
Evening.
Especial Despatch to the Press.1

ing out of the advertised programme. The
crowd was immense, and estimated not less
than 100000. Inside the exhibition grounds
every portion in sight of the platform acres
were packed solid The exercises were rath
er witnessed than heard, though the music Of
100 musicians and 900 voices could be heard 9
long distance. The remarks of Gen. Hawley
could be heard by thousands. After the Presi
dent and other invited guests had visited the
exhibition buildings they were opened for the
public, and in few minutes they were all fill
ed. The appearance of President Grant, Dom
Pedro, Gems. Sherman and Sheridan ELECTED
much enthusiasm. Mr.. Blaine, as he passed tc
the plooe assigned him, was loudly applauded
as was Gen. Bristows One or two other Presi'
Dental candidates were recognized but did NOT
cause enthusiasm. The great city was gorgeous
with flags of every nation. The fronts of build.
ings along the principal streets were literally
covered with bunting, and in many cases the
banners across the ttreets formed a continuous
net Gov. Conner and staff visited the Maine
headquarters today and examined the display
of goods from the state Quite number Of
Maine people are present. They will return
the Maine headquarters for the names of visit
ors from that state. S,
ITO the Associated Press.l
PHILADELPHIA, Nav 10. The day opened
cloudy but before the hour for the opening OF
the exhibition the sky was clear and the sun
shone out bright and warm. All the
business places in the city were closed and
bunting was displayed in great profusion along
all the thoroughfares. The gates of the exhi-
bition grounds were thrown open promptly at
9 o'clock, and there was Continuous stream
of visitors through them till night fall. 1t is
estimated that there were over 10000 people in
view of the grand stand.
At ten minutes past ten CLOCK, Gen. Haw-
advanced TO the main platform, which was
elegantly draped with flags, and with a hand
kerchief gave signal to tne orchestra. Then
uprose the gallant Theodore Thomas, waved
his baton once, and the inspiring notes of the
Washington March were heard, The crowd
broke into enthusiastic cheering, bat speedily
stopped as the music continued. Next follow
ed tie march of the Argentine Rennblic, and
then came the solid and solemn retralns of the
Austrian national hymn. The Brahamucorne
followed as compliment to Belgium.
Thomas and his men continued playing the
National Hymns of Denmark, France, Ger
many, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Nor
way Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey. and then came to Hail Columbia, at
which there was, of course, a tempest of cheer
ing.
Just as the National. airs were finished the
PRESIDENT OF the United States arrived and was
loudly cheered. Gen Grant came forward at
once TO the front of the platform, having entered
from the south front of the Memorial Hall. He
was seated for few moments, after which
Secretary Fish arrived and at once prese nted
the Emperor of Brazil to the President. The
Emperor, who, not deigning to use the privi-
lege OF royal personages, had dotted his hat
when Gen. Grant arrived, entered at once into
conversation, and the two stood together for
some time with the tens of thousands gazing
upon them. Meanwhile the Philadelphia
city Cavalry, which had been the President, s
escort came down from the platform.
Gov. Rice aud his staff, the Governor of
Maine and New Hampshire, of Vermont, and
from many of the Middle and Western states
were on the platform.
orchestra. which played Wagner's grand
march. The music closed at II. 10, when Gen.
Hawley announced that Bishop Simpson would
invoke the divine blessing. Conversation ceas-
ed and throughout the prayer the entire Assem-.
blage maintained excellent order.
Following closely on the prayer came the up
rising of the chorus obedient to Mr.. Thomass
baton, and the rendering of john Greenleaf
Whittiers hymn to the music written by Prof.
Paine OF Harvard. The simple and majestic
words and the fine refrains We're saluted with
loud and long cheering.
Our fathers God! from out whose band
The centuries tall like grains OF sand,
We meet to-day, united, free,
And loyal to our land and Thee
To thank Thee for the era done,
And trust Thee for the opening one.
Here where of old, by Thy design,
The fathers spake that word of Thine
Whose echo is the glad refrain
Or rended bolt and falling chain,
To grace our festal time from all
The zones of earth our guests we call.
Be with us while the New World greets
The Old World, thronging all its streets,
Hnyailing all the triumphs won
By art or toll beneath the sun;
And unto common good ordan
This rivalship of hand and BRAIN
Thou who hast here in concord furled
The war flags of gathered world,
Beneath our western skies fulfill
The OIents mission of good will,
And. freighted with Loves golden fleece,
Send back the Argonauts of peace.
For art and labor met in truce,
For beauty made the bride of use,
We thank Thee, while withal we crave
The austere virtues strong to save,
The honor proof to place or gold,
The manhood never bought or sold!
o! make Thou u.s. through centuries long
In peace secure, aud justice strong;
Around our gift of freedom draw,
The safeguards of Thy righteous law
And, cast in some dviner mold
Let the new cycle shame the oldi
PHILADELPHIA Times
President j Ohm WEIGH, in behalf of the Board
of Finance then made an excellent address of
presentation of the exhibition buildings to the
Centennial commission.
MIR. WeIch's Address.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the United
States Centennial Commission, I'm the pres
ence of the government of the United States.
and of the several distinguished bodies by
which we are summoned, aud in behalf of the
Centennial board of finance I greet you. /
have the honor to announce to you that under
your supervision and in accordance with the
plans fixed and established by you, we have
erected the buildings belonging to us and have
made all the arrangements devolving ON US
necessary for the opening day of the Interna-
tonal exhibition. We hereby snow formally
appropriate them for their intended occupation,
and we hold ourselves ready to make all further
arrangements that may be needed for carrying
into full and complete effect all of the require
ments OF the acts of Congress relating to the
exhibition.
We also appropriate the buildings belonging
to the state of Pennsylvania and the city OF
erected by u.s. at their bidding TO
wit, Memorial Hall, Machinery Hall, and Hor-
ticultural Hall. lThese and other substantial
offerings stand as the evidence of their patriotic
cooperation.
=, To the United Estates of America through
Congress, we are indebted for the aid which
crowned our success. In addition to those to
which have just referred, there are .capacous
a a. convenient edihces which have been erect
ed by the representatives of foreign nations nv
state authority and by individuals, which are
also devoted to the purposes of the exhibition.
Ladies and Gentlemen, if in the past we
nave met wlth difhculties, disappontments and
trials, they have been overcome by conscious
ness that nosacrifice can be too great to perpet-
uate the memories of those who brought our
nation into being, or of the events of 1776. The
assembage here to, day, of so many foreign
visitors uniting in this universal tribute, is our
reward. We congratulate you on the occur
rences of the day. The representatives of
many nations have assembled here to-day in
peaceful competition and may each profit by
the association. The exhibition is but school
The more thoroughly its lessons are learned,
.he greater will be the gain, and when it shall
have closed, if, by that study, the nations en-.
gagged in it shall have learned respect for each