The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-05-12
The Centennial Exposition.

Inc Sranu cNnlDlllOn OF the world lnuuS-
try, to celebrate the one hundredth ami
versary Of American independence, was
opened at Philadelphia on Wednesday. 1t
is estimated that ono hundred thousand per-
sons were present. On the main platform,
surrounding the President of the United
States, were gathered n large 0sscmblagc of
foreign ambassadors and ministers. members
of Congress, Governors of States with their
stats, army and naval officers, &c.
The collection Of representatives from
over thirty governments Of the world, and of
many colonies, besides the chief officers
of the American Union and of many of the
States thereof, formed an asscmbNgc such as
has never been eQualed in this country be-
fore. The members Of the diplomatic corps
were in official uniform. Many of the for
eign commissioners were also in uniform,
and there was q glitterng array of army,
navy and staff uniforms The diplomats
were resplendcnt in gold lace; the bullion
epaulettcs of the staff officers and their gold
cordage were brilliant. Cooked hats and
golden tassels were not the exception, but
the rule. The japanese officials came out in
drab breeches, gold breasted tail-coats and
cooked hats. Turkish Boys wore the red
fez, military frock coats, gold striped breech.
es and curved sabres. Egyptian officers were
somewhat similarly uniformed. The repre-
scntatives of the Latinrace, including French
Spanish, Portuguese, South Americans, Mex
leans and Cubans were quite as numerous as
the blonde Caucasians. Among the Orien,
tails, japanese, Egyptians and Turks were
most numerous.
Conspicuous among the crowd was oul
own handsome Governor, John Lee Carroll
who was accompanied by his staff, compris.
ing Ajdt Gen. f. A. Bond; Gems. F. G. La.
trobe, Geo. S. Brown Gilmore Meredith
VIM. Lee f. Snowden Andrews, A. G.
Chapman and John N. Carroll; Coils. L. Vic
tor Baughman, j. Fcnncr Lee, II. S. Taylor
II. Kyd Douglas, Ohio S. Lee, Alex. D.
Brown, D. NJ. Matthews and John w. Davis
The ceremonies were opened by the per
Torrance Of the centennial Inauguration
march, composed by Richard Wagner, Of
Germany Bishop Simpson, of the NJ. E
church, made the opening prayer. Then
came the hymn Of Whittier, which we pub.
lsh elsewhere. The formal speaking of the
occasion was by Mr.. John Welsh, Of Phila
delphia, president of the centennial board Of
finance, who presented the buildings to tho
United States centennial commission by
Gen. Joseph r. Hawlcy, president Of the
U nited States centennial commission, who
in turn made the presentation to the Pres
dent ofthe United States, and by Gen. Grant
who proclaimed the opening of the Inter
national Exhibition of 1876.
At noon precisely the ceremonies were
ended. The flag was run up from the stat
of the main building opposite Memorial Hal
and the air was rent with cheers. The or
chestra and chorus, with organ accompani
ment, rendered hallelujah chorus, and the
President moved towards the main building
with the Emperor and Empress of Brazil and
Mrs. Grant, followed by the long rctinue Of
foreign ambassadors, commissioners, cabinet
officers, Senators, Governors, Congressman
and Others.
At half-past ten O'clock, the enormous
steam engine in Machinery Hall was started
by President Grant and Dom Pedro, the En-.
peror of Brazil, and Il dcaicning hurra
greeted the commencement of the great
show.
Much work Is yet to be done before the
exposition will be in perfect state. 1t is
hoped that everything will be completed by
the first of June