Middletown transcript., 1876-05-13
l776 THE CENTENNIAL. 1876
Opening the Great Show.
THE NATION IN HER GLORY.
THE CEREMONIES.
Philadelphia Enveloped in Bunting
Opening the Great Show.
ION In HER GLORY,
THE CEREMONIES.
A SPLENDID PAGEANT.


The great ong-looked-for day havin
arrived the grand international exhibl
tion for which the most extensive pre-
parations had been made was opene
with most imposing ceremonies on Wed
nesday, the day appointed. All da
Tuesday people poured into the city
many special trains, in addition to th
regular trains, being run over the vari
Gus railroads to accommodate the vas
number of visitors Soon every avail
able room in the hotels was occupied
and cots were put up all over the house
to furnish resting places for the multi
tude. Notwithstanding the heavy rein
which continued to pour down in copi
GUS showers all day Tuesday, the ardo
Of the people was not diminishe'
though many thousands of eyes wer
turned toward the skies, anxiously look
ing for the least appearance Of a break
ing away in the clouds and clearing
up of the storm. Scores and hundreds
Of residents were seen hurrying aloni
with bundles of small flags to be uset
in the morrow's decorations. AS will
everything else, the night passed, ant
at early light the morning Of the grea
opening day was ushered in with th'
boom Of guns, the crack Of pistols and
the ringing Of bells The clouds still
lowered and for time another rainy
and dismal day was threatened. bu
about eight o'clock the clouds gave way
and the welcome sun made his appear
ance dispelling the mists and gloomy
forebodings with bis bright beams.
BLOCKING TO THE GROUNDS
Everybody was now hurryipg towarc
the Centennial Grounds. A long anc
almost unbroken line of street cars
packed with human freight to their ut
most capacity. discharged their loads
at the gates and FASTENED, empty, int
the city only to return as full as before
Thousands, unable to restrain their i'm
patience, FASTENED thither on foot SO that
long before the hour for opening q
dense throng was gathered before the
gates anxiously seeking admittance.
THE PROCESSION
In the meantime the grand military
and civic procession was formed or
Broad street, and marching to the resi-.
dence of George W. Childs escorted the
President Of the United States and bis
suite to the ground. The military dis
play was magnificent, many thousands
Of we'll drilled troops being in line, re-
spleudent in full dress uniform, their
polished guns, swords and bayonets
glittering in the sun, the bands playing
their liveliest airs and the horses ol
the officers and cavalry curveting and
prancing as if they had caught the
spirit and excitement Of the day. In
mense crowds of people of both sexes
and all colors, sizes and nationalities
throDged the side-walks,5 frequently
making it difficult for the troops to per-
form their evolutions or to show of
their proficiency in the drill All along
the route the streets were gorgeous with
the flags and banners of all nations,
making the scene one Of SURPRISING
gayety. while the surging mass Of spec
tators. kept within bounds only with
the greatest difficulty by the police,
continuously rent the air With huzzas
and cheers. At last the grounds we're
reached and the great mass was added
to the already immense throng that bad
gathered to witness
THE OPENING CEREMONIES.
AT ten minutes past ten the great
orchestra under the leadership of the
world-renowned Theodore Thomas, at
a signal from General Hawley, began
playing the national airs Of all na.
ton, commencing with "Washington's
March" during which time the celeb
rites of our own and other nations were
constantly arriving on the ground and
making their way to the platform, and
as one after another made his appear.
ance cheer upon cheer went up from
tens Of thousands Of throats. completely
drowning the music Of the 100 players
The Brazilian Emperor. Dom Pedro
Gen. Sheridan, Gov. Hartranft, ex.
Speaker Blaine and many others were
each the recipients of much applause
and turning bowed their smiling ac-
knowledgment Of the compliment AT
II o'clock President Grant made bis
appearance upon the stage and was
greeted with tremendous applause as
was due his high office-while the or.
chestra played the Centennial March
composed for the occasion by Richard
Wagner.
BISHOP SIMPSONS PRAYER.
General Hawley again waved bis
handkerchief, the music ceased, quiet
was restored and Rev Matthew Simp.
son. bishop of the NJ. E. Church. Of
Philadelphia, invoked the divine bless
ing upon the great exhibition, the ma.
tion. the country. the nations Of the
earth here represented and their author
tiles especially praying for the cessa-
tion Of war. the settlement Of all inter.
national difficulties by arbitration and
the advancement Of the arts and sciences
of peace.
At the close Of the prayer the Cen
tennial Hymn written by John G
Whittier and set to music by John K
Paine, was sung by the vast chorus o.
thousand voices, accompanied by the
orchestra and the grand organ in the
Main Building. This hymn we pub.
lished last week. and it is unnecessary
to repeat it now.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUILDINGS.
The formal presentation Of the building.
to the United States Centennial Commission
by John Welsh, President of the Centenuia
Board of Finance, then took place, Mr.. Welsf
performing this ceremony in the following
remarks: