The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-11

| ihaoitai w nsuiuSIOu duu HIS Srduu
associates, for the wisdom with which
they planned and the frmness and hero
ism which, under Thy blessing, led them
to triumphant success. Thou vast their
shield in hours OF danger, their pillar OF
cloud by day and their pillar of fire by
night. May we their sons walk in
thir footsteps and initiate their virtues.
We thank Thee tor social and National
prosperity aud progress; for valuable dis
coveries and multiplied inventions; for
labor-saviDg machinery, relieving the
toiling msssc-, .or schools, free as the
morning ligh for the millions of the ris-
ing generation; for books ard periodi-
Gals, scattered like leaves of autumn over
our land; for art and science; for freedom
to worship God according to the dicta-
ton of their conscience; for church un-
fettered by the trammels OF state.
Bless, we pray Thee, the
President of the United States,
aud his constitutional advisors, the
Judges of the Supreme Court, the Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress,
the Governors of our several common
wealths, the officers of the army and the
navy, and all who are in official position
throughout our land Guide them, we
pray Thee, with the counsels of wisdom,
and may they ever rule in righteousness.
We ask Thy blessings upon the Presi-
dent and the members Of the Centennial
Commission, and upon those associated
with them in the various departments,
who have labored long and earnestly
amidst anxieties ard difficulties for the
success OF this enterprise. May this special
blessing thou God of all the nations of
the earth rest upon our national guests,
our visitors from distant lands, We well
come them to our shores ard we rejoice
in their presence among US, whether
they represent thrones, culture or re
search or whether they come to exhibit
the trlumphs OF genius and art with the
development of industry in the progress
of civilization and preserve Thou them
We beseech Thee in health and safety and
in due time may they be wei
coined by loved ones, and to their
own native lands Let the blessing rest
richly on this Centennial celebration
May the lives and health of all interest
ed be precious in thy sight; preside in
its assemblies; grant that this association
in effort may bird more closely together
every part OF our great republic, So that
our union may be perpetual and indis-
soluble; let its influence draw the ma
tions of the earth into happier unity
hereafter. We pray thee may all disput-
ed questions be settled by arbitration and
not by the sword and may wars
forever cease am NJ the sons of men ind
may the new century be better dlvcrsli-
ed with interests and bind in impcrish-
able bonds all parts of society. We
pray thy blessing upon the women Of
America, who for the first time in the
history of our race take so conspicuous II
place in national celebration, may the
light of their intelligence purity aud en-
terprisc shed its beams aiar until in dis
tant lands sisters may realize the
beauty and glory of Christian freedom
lAnd elevation. We beseech Thee,
Heavenly Father, that our beloved re
public may be strengthened in every
element OF true greatness until her mis-
sion IS accomplished by presenting to the
world an illustration of the happiness OF
n free people, with a free church in
free state, under laws OF their own eG
actment and under rules OF their own
selection, acknowledging supreme ale
glance only to the King OF Kings and
Lord of Lords, and Ms Thou ddst give
to one of its iiustrious sons first to draw
experimcntslly the electric sparks from
Heaven, which has since grdlcd the
globe with its celestial message OF glory
to God in the highest, peace on earth,
good will toward men So 10 the latest
time may the mission of America, under
divine inspiration, be one of affection,
brotherhood and love for all our race,
and may the coming centuries BIZ filled
with the glory Of our Christian civillza-
,inn. and unite Thee, our Father, through
Him whose life is the light Of men, and
we will ascribc glory and praise now and
forever. Amen.
John WEIGH, President of the Centen
nial Board af Finance then formally
presented the buildings TO the United
States Centennial Commission, conclud-
ing his address as follows:
LADIES AND GESTLEMEN-If in part
we have met with disappointmcnts, diff
iibulties and trials they have been
overcome by the Consciousness
that no sacrifice can be too great which
ia made To honor the memories of those
who brought our nation into being. This
commemorative. of the events OF lI76 eX-
cites our present gratitude. The assem-
bage here to-day of SO many foreign
Representatives, uniting with US in this
revercntial tribute, IS our reward. We
congratulate You OH the occur
renee of today. Many of the
nations have gathered here in peaceful!
competition, and each may profit by the
association. This exhibition is but a
school. The more thoroughly rs lessons
are learned, the greater will be the gain.
and when it shall have closed If by that
study, the nations engaged in 1t shall
have learned respect for each other, then
il may be hoped that veneratIon for Him
who rules on high, will become un 'versal,
and the angels cong once more be heard,
sGlory to God in the highest. and on
earth peace and good will toward men.
President Hnwiey's Address
james L Hswley, President of the
Centenn al Commission in the following
speech, made the peseutation OF the eIhi-
hilton to toe President OF the United
States:
Mr.. PREsrDEYT-Fiye years ago the
President of the United States d. clared It
fitting that the completion of the first
century of our national existence should
be commemorated by an exhibition OF the
natural resources Of the country, and
their develcpcment, and Of its progress IN
those ar.s which benefit mankind, aud
ordered tha. an exhibition of American
ard foreign arts, products and manutAc
lures should be held under the auspices Of
the government Of the United States in
the city of philadelphia- ir the year 1876.
To put into effect the several laws relai-
ing 70 the exhibition, the United States
Centennial Commission Was constituted,
cnmp>-ed OF two commissioners IRON
ssch State and territory. nominated oy