American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-07-15
FREEDOMS BIRTHDAY.
Celebrated in Philedelphia-The En-
perOr Williams Congratulations to
the President.

How the Centennial Anniversary Wa
Celebrated i'm Philede phia-The En-
perOr Williams Congratulations I,
the President.
PHILADELPHIA, July 4.-The preliminar,
| exercises of the Centennial Celebration il
this city were held in Independence Hall OF
Saturday, July 1, under the direction of tn,
Committee on Restoration. At II O'Clock
a. M, about one hundred and thirty author!
and prominent literary gentlemen assem-.
| bled in the historic room, each depositing
short biographical sketch Of one of the Sign.
ers or of some other prominent Revolution.
airy patriot. Among the authors contribut.
ing sketches were ex-Gov. John A. Dix,
Thos. w. Higginson. John Esten Cook,
Benson j. Losing, Robt. c. Winthrop,
JnO. W. Forncy, and Chas. F. Adams. A
| number of addresses were then made, after
which Whittier's Centennial Hymn, a.
sung on the opening of the Centennial Elk.
hibition, May 10, was sung by chorus Of
fifty voices. Further exercises were held
in Independence Square, where the princi-
pal address was delivered by VIM. V. Nc
| Kean, editor of the Public Ledger. Other
| addresses were made by various gentlemen.
| The musical exercises consisted of the per-
| Torrance of Helfrich' IS Centennial Triumph
ant March by the military band of the
Centennial Musical Association; Whittier's
Centennial Hymn was again sung by 400
voices, and three new Centennial odes were
sung by the chorus.
On Monday, the Sd, there was a parade of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and in the
evening grand torchlight procession OF
workingmen, political clubs and civic So
cieties. The procession reached INDIE
pendence Hall about midnight, where
amidst a most brilliant illumination and
pyrotechnical display the new Liberty Bell
was rung, after which the entire concourse
joined in singing the anthem t'America, -
the effect being grand and impressive be-
yOnd description.
The Fourth of July was ushered in by the
firing of national salute in Fairmoun
Park, and by ringing chimes and church
bells throughout the city. At very early
hour throngs of people from all sections OF
the city commenced moving towards the
streets over which the military parade was
to pass, and by $50 O'Clock these streets
were crowded to their utmost capacity.
The display of bunting ON the principal
streets was simply wonderful.
The military formed in line on Broad
Street and commenced to move at half past
s. The troops were enthusiastically cheer
stand had been erected at Independence
Hall, from which the troops were reviewed
by Gen. Sherman. At his right, on the
platform, was Prince Oscar of Sweden, ac-
companied by members of his suite; and a
large number Of other foreign dignitaries,
together with several Governors and ether
distinguished citizens, occupied seats upon
the platform. One of the most inter-
esting features of the parade was the Cen
tennial Legion, which was organized es-
pecially for the occasion, and is composed
Of a company from each OF the thirteen orig
inal States. 1t was commanded by Gen.
Heath, of Richmond, Va, and was received
all along the route with most enthusiastic
cheering.
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 was crowd
ed with people. A stand, with seats for
4 600 invited guests, had been erected, and
before the ceremonies commenced, it was
filled. At 1O:15 O'Clock Gen. Hawley called
the immense assemblage to order, and the
orchestra of $50 musicians, under the lead
ership Of Prof. Gilmore, opened with the
grand overture, THE Great Republic
arranged for the occasion. While the mu-
sic was in progress a shout of enthusiasm
signaliZed the arrival of the Brazilian En-
peror Dom Pedro. He came directly to the
front of the platform and acknowledged the
cheers of the people by raising his hat and
retired to his seat.
At the conclusion of the music Gen. Haw-
ley advanced to the stand and made the fol-
lowing brief address:
Fellow-citizens and Friends of Affiliations:
Ina hum 6pDh
proclaimed on this spot, and we have come
together to celebrate to-day, by a peaceful
and simple observance, ouf wonder, our
pride and our gratitude. To the strangers
among us. thousand welcomes to the land
we love, liberty, peace, justice, prosperity.
and the blessing of God to all time. BY
direction of the Commission L have the
pleasure to annouce as presiding officer Of
the day, Hon. ThoS. W. Ferry, Vice-Pres-
ident of the United States.
Mr.. Ferry delivered a brief address, after
which Ri. Rev. VIM. Bacon Stevens offered
prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer
the choir sang the hymn, ''WelcOme to All
Nations,'' composed by Oliver Wendell
Holmes.
Vice-President Ferry then introduced
Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, who read
the Declaration of Independence. The
original manuscript of that document was
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 of Independence in clear,
ringing voice. The reading was frequently
by cheers as some patriotic
sentimept would heard Ealloxyipp he
reading of the Declaration came greeting
from Brazil-a Hymn for the first Centennial
Of American Independence, composed by A -
Carlos Gomez, of Brazil IT S2nsuuuIll1g 81
b;s - Emperor I
= brezff. The announcement of this por-
ton of the programme was received by the |
assemblage with every manifestation of
favor. The Emperor arose to his feet with
the rest of the distinguished personages |
present, and listened with great attention. |
Bayard Taylor then read National Ode Of
his own composition, which was loudly ap- |
plauded. The Grand Triumphal March, |
with chorus, ''Our National Banner,'' by |
Dexter Smith, of Massachusetts, was then |
by the orchestra and chorus, after |
which the orator of the day, William NJ.
Evarts, Of New York, was introduced and |
delivered somewhat lengthy but scholarly |
grafton, which was frequently interrupted |
by applause. Mr.. Evarts having concluded |
his Grafton the Hallelujah Chorus from
Handsl's Messiah was performed by the |
orchestra and chorus, and ceremonies were
then concluded with singing Of the DoXolo-
~, then the Old Hundred psalm, in which
The entire assemblage joined.
At the pyrotechnic display in East Park
This evening there was an immense throng