Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-05-18
Centennial Letter.

Birthday Breahtast-P Programme Of
the Opening Erercises-Let the
Eagle Scream-Arangements for
the Comfort Of Visitors.
PHILADELPHIA May s, 1876.
Temps fuget. Nobody knows bet
ter than a Centennial Commissioner or
Exhibitor how much too fast Temps
does fuget for the successful maturing
of human plans and purposes. Even
stealing from the hours Of sleep and
turning night into day, won't always
suffice to overtake the flying moments
and keep pace with the rising and set
ting sun. So, with all their herculean
efforts, these Centennial people scratch
their heads and wish they had, like
the man about to be hung, respite
little more time. But the day is al
most here. Next Wednesday morning
Uncle Sam will take his Centennial
birth day breakfast and pick his teeth
with a rusty old '76 bayonet. At
noon the American Eagle will perch
himself upon the top-most peak of the
Rocky Mountains, and with the tips
of his wings dipped in the two Oceans
NOT forgetting to drop a tail-feather
or two in the Gulf of Mexico and
Lake Michigan-take retrospective
survey of his own greatness. We all
sympathize with the proud old Eagle,
even when, on state occasions, he takes
on the character of turkey-gobbler
and at this period, however apt it
might be, probably nobody will think
of quoting Saxe's lines:
Because you flourish in worldly affairs,
Don't be naughty and put on airs;
With insolent pride of station.
Don't be proud and turn up your nose
At poorer people in palmer clothes,
But learn for the sake of your SOULS repose
That all proud flesh whenever it grows
Is subject to initiation"
The programme for the opening ex-
escises is completed and has already
been extensively published. Invita-
tons have been issued to the President,
Cabinet officers, Supreme Court judges,
Diplomatic Corps, Congressman, Cen
tennial Board, Foreign Commissioners,
Governors of States and Territories
and their stats, the Pennsylvania Leg
islature, city authorities Of Philadel,
phia, chief officers Of the army and
navy, Women's National Centennial
Committee, Centennial Board of FL
nance, and others in official positions
ard officially connected with the Exhi-
bition. The Centennial grounds and
buildings will be opened to the public
at 8 A. NJ. Memorial Hall, the Main
Building, and Machinery Hall will be
reserved for invited guests until about
noon. The exercise will take place in
the open air, on the south side of Mem
orial Hall. The music consisting of
an orchestra of $50 pieces and cho-
rus Of 500 voices, will be given under
the direction Of Theodore Thomas,
assisted by Dudley Buck. The Presi-
dent will be escorted to the grounds by
Governor Hartranft and a division of
troops, The following is the pro-
gramme
First. --Centennial inauguration
March, by Wagner. Second.--Prayer
by Bishop Simpson. Third.-Hymn
by John G. Whittier music by John
K. Paine, of Massachusetts, orches-
trail and organ accompaniment. Fourth.
-Cantata words by Sidney Lanier,
of Georgia music by Dudley Buck
orchestral and organ accompaniment.
Fifth. -Presentatio Of the Exhibition
by the President Of the Centennial
Commission. Sixth. ---AddreSs by the
President of the United States. The
declaration that the Exhibition is open
will be followed by the customary fir
ing of salutes, raising of flags, ringing
of the chimes and Handel's ''Hallelu-
jah Chorus, with organ and orches-
trail accompaniment. The Foreign
Commissioners will be placed opposite
their respective sections in the main
building. The President and invited
guests will march through the main
building and the Foreign Commission
ers, upon being passed by the Presi-
dent, will join the procession, when
the whole BODY will cross to Machine