The Lake County star., 1876-05-18

the homes of the eminent patriots of that |
era, where Washington and his associates |
received generous hospitality and able
counsel. You have observed the SURPRISING |
beauty of the situation placed at our dis
the liberal support given the enterprise by
the State, the city, and the people individ-
In the name of the United States you ex-
tended respectful and cordial invitations to
the governments of other nations to be repre-.
sented and to participate in this exhibition.
They responded from even the
most distant regions. Their Commissioners
are here, and y, yoI, will soon : see s with what what
upon this friendly competition in the arts of
peace. 1t has been the fervent hope of the
Commission that during this festive year
the people from all States and sections, of
all 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 hundred years,
and to examine, to our profit, the wonderful
products Of other lands; but especially to
Join hands in perfect fraternity, and promise
the God of our fathers that the new century
shall surpass the old in the true glories OF
civilization and, furthermore, that from the
association here Of welcome visitors from
all nations, there may result not alone great
benefits to invention, manufactures, agricul-
ture, trade and commerce, but also stronger
international friendships and more lasting
peace. Thus reporting to you, Mr.. Presi..
dent under the laws of the government, and
usages of similar occasions in the United
States, in the name of the Centennial Com
missiOners, present to your view the Inter-
national Exhibition of 1876.
When President Grant rose to re-
spond, he was greeted with enthusiastic
and long continued applause, followed
by three cheers and a "tiger," led by
Gen. Hawley.
President Grant then read his response
to the presentation address. His re-
sponse was brief, and expressed in we'll
chosen terms his sense of the Importance
of the Exhibition and the greatness OF
the events it commentaries. So great
was the confusion in the crowd, how
ever, and 30 low the tone of voice in
which the speech was read, that people
few yards away could not hear what
was uttered.
My CoUNTRYMEN--lt has been thought
appropriate, upon this Centennial occasion,
to bring together in Philadelphia, for pOpu'
| III,
| i'm the industrial and fine arts, and in litera-
ture science and philosophy, as well as in
the great business of agriculture and OF com
merce, that we may more thoroughly appre
ciate the excellcncies and deficiencies OF Oui
achievements, and also give emphatic ex
preston to our earnest desire to cultivate
the friendship Of our fellOw.members Of this
great family of nations. The enlightened
agricultural, commercial and manufacturing
| s. ,pu taI tf
send hither corresponding specimens OF theil
skill, to exhibit on equal terms in friendly
competition with our own. To this invitation
they have generally responded. For SC
doing We render them our hearty thanks
The beauty and utility of the contributions
will this day be submitted to your inspection
by the managers of this exhibition.
We are glad to know that a view of speci
mems of the skill of all nations will afford t.
you unalloyed pleasure, as well as yield II
| you valuable practical knowledge of 81
many of the remarkable results OIL the Cen
tennial Grounds.
One hundred years ago, our country wa
new and but partially settled. Our necessi
ties have compelled us to chiefly expent
every means and our time in telling forests
subduing prairies, and building dwellings
factories, ships, docks, warehouses, roads
canals, machinery, etc. Most Of our schools
| churcheS, llDrarleS, anu sylunlS nave Deer
established within one hundred years. Bur
dened by these great primal works Of neces
sity, which could not be delayed, we ye
have done what this exhibition will show il
the direction of rivaling older and more ad
vanced nations, in law, medicine, and the
ology; in science, literature, philosophy
and the fine arts. While proud of what W
have done, we regret that we have not dom
more. Our achievements have been grea
enough, however, to make it easy for .ou
people to acknowledge superior merit whel
ever found.
And now, fellow-citizens, hope a carefu
examination of what's about to be exhibite
to you will not only inspire you with q pre-
found respect for the skill and taste of on
friends from other nations, but also satisf
you with the attainments made by our Ow
people during the past one hundred years.
invoke your generous cooperation wit
the worthy Commissioners to secure bri
liant success to this International Exhib
tiOn, and to make the stay of our fOreig
visitors, to whom we extend a hearty we
: come, both profitable and pleasant to then
l declare the international Expositio
now open.