Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-05-10
FOURTH EDITION.
The CENTENNIAL OPENING.
rContntted from Third Edition.

ment of the United States in the
CITY of Philadelphia in the year eighteen
hundred and seventysix To put into eff
feet the several laws relating to the Exhi-
bition, the United States Centennial Com
mission was constituted, composed of two
Commissioners from each State and Terri
tory, nominated by their respective Cover
nors, and appointed by the President. The
Congress also created our auxiliary and as
sociate corporation, the Centennial Board
of Finance, whose unexpectedly heavy bur-
dens have been nobly borne. remarkable |
and prolonged disturbance of the finances
and Industries of the country has greatly |
magnified the task but we hope for fav-
orable Judgment of the degree of success
attained. July 4, 1878, this ground was
dedicated to its present use. Twenty-one |
months ago this Memorial Hall was begun.
| All the other one hundred and eighty
buildings within the enclosure have been
erected within twelve months. All the
| buildings embraced in the plans of the
| Commission itself are finished The de-
mauds OF applicants exceeded the space,
and strenuous and continuous efforts have
been made to get every exhibit ready in time
By general consent the Exhibition is appro-
priately held in the City of Brotherly Love.
Yonder, almost within your view, stands
the venerated ediiee wherein occurred the
event this work is designed to commemor-
ate, and the hall in which the first Conti-
mental Congress assembled. Within the
present limits of this great park were the
homes of eminent patriots OF that era,
where Washington and his associates re-
ceivedgenerous hospitality and able counst l.
You have observed the SURPRISING beauty
of the situation placed at our disposal. In
harmony with all this fitness is the liberal
support given the enterprise by the
State, the city, and the people, individual
ly.
tended a respectful and cordial invitation to
the governments of other nations to be rer-
resented and to participate in this Exhlbl-
ton. You know the very acceptable terms
in VIII ch they responded, from even the
most distant regions. Their commissioners
l. are here and you will soon see with what
energy and briiancy they have entered
upon this friendly competition IN the arts
of peace.
1t has been the fervent hope of the Com
: mission that, during this festival year, the
people from all States and sections, of all
J creeds and churches, all parties and classes,
burying all resentments, would come up
together to this birthplace of our liberties,
to study the evidence of our resources to
Measure the progress of an hundred years
and to examine TO our profit the wonder
full products of other lands but especially
to ioin hands in perfect fraternity and
| DAAc
new century shall surpass the old in the
true glories of civilization. And further
more, that from the association here OF
:, welcome visitors from all nations, there
may result not alone great Dement'S TO IN
vention, manufactures, agriculture, trade
ls' and commerce, but also stronger interna'
tional friendships and more lasting peace
Thus reporting to you, MIR, President, un
so der the laws of the government and the
IS usage of similar occasions, in the name o.
the United States Centennial Commission,
present to your view the International EX
.S hibition of 1876.
xx THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
IS In accepting the buildings, Presiden
Grant said
My Co,uatrgmen 1t Las been though
appropriate, upon this Centennial occasion
TO bring together in Philadelphia, ftr popl
H. lar nepec IN specimens of our attainment
in the industrial and tine arts, ,and in liters
ture, science and philosophy, as we'll as
the great business of agriculture and
commerce.
on That we may the more thoroughly apprt
VI cate the excellencies and deficiencies OF ol
achievements, and also give emphatic e.
preston to our earnest desire to cultlva
the friendship OF our fellow members
this great family of nations, the enlghten'
-4' agricultural, commercial and manufacturil
IOI. people of the world have been invited
send hither corresponding specimens
their skill to exhibit on equal terms
friendly competition with our own. To th
invitation they have generously responde
N for 80 doing We render them our heal
~ thanks.
Tie beauty and utility of the contrL
y tions will this day be submitted to your
y specUion by the Managers of this Exhi
ton. We are glad to know that a view
oe ba alrill Of a1 na will
ford to you unalloyed pleasure, as well
Weld to you valuable practical knowled
of so many of the remarkable results of I
wonderful skill existing in enlighter
communities.
G One hundred years ago our country v
A0S new and but partially settled. Our necei
ties have compelled us to chiefly expe
our means and time in telling forests, 81
DUNG p.airies, building dwellings, fac
ries, ships, docks, warehouses, roads,
nails machinery, etc, etc. Most Of
schools, churches, libraries and asylu
have been established within an hund
years Burthened by these great
meval works of necessity, which co
not be delayed, we yet have d.
what this Exhibition will show in the dil
ton of rivaling older and more advan
nations i'll law, medicine aud theology
cEN science, literature, philosophy and the
arts. Whilst proud Of what we have dc
we regret that we have not done MT
t. Our achievements have been great enou
however, to make it easy for our .peopl
acknowledge superior merit where
"S' found.
And now, fellow citizens, hope C
full examination of what is about to be
hibited to you will not only inspire you
profound respect for the skill and tast
our friends from other nations, but
# satisfy you with the attainments mad
'U1 our own people during the past one
dred years. l invoke your generous
JET. operation with the worthy commission
to secure brilliant success to this In
natioral Exhibition, and to make the
G of our foreign visitors-to whom we ex
~ hearty welcome - both profitable
pleasant to them
OUR l declare the International Exhibi
now open.
UNFURLING THE FLAG.
!; me as Precisely at noon, the American flag
unfurled from the main building, which