The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-05-27
ident of the United States President Haw

ident Of the United States. President Haw
ley said:
mr.. President Five years ago the presi-
dent of the United States declared it fitting
that "the completion of the first century of
our national existence should be eommemo-
rated by an exhibition of the natural re-
sources of the country and their develop
meht, and of its progress in those arts which
benefit mankind" and ordered that an exhi
bition of American and foreign arts, pro-
ducts and manufactures should be held,
under the auspices of the government of the
United States, in the city of Philadelphia,
in the year eighteen hundred and seventy
six.
TO put into effect the several laws relat-
ing to the exhibition, the United States CEN
tennial commission was constituted, COM
posed OF two commissioners from each state
and territory, nominated by their respective
governors, and appointed by the president
The congress also created our auxiliary and
associate corporation, the centennial board
of finance, whose unexpectedly heavy bur-
| dens have been nobly borne. A remarkable
| and prolonged disturbance of the finances
and industries of the country has greatly
| magnified the task but we hope for a favor
| able judgment of the degree of success at
tanned.
| July 1, 1873, this ground was dedicated to
| its present uses. Twenty-one months ago
| this Memorial hall was begun All the other
| enclosure have been erected within twelve
| months. All the buildings embraced in the
plans of the commission itself are finished.
The demands of applicants exceeded the
have been made to get every exhibit ready
| in time.
i By general consent the exhibition is APP
| propriately held in the City of Brotherly
] Love. Yonder, almost within your view,
stands the venerated edifice wherein oc-
1 H. kl,s- IL -
commemorate, and the hall in which the
first continental congress assembled. With
in the present limits of this great park were
the homes of eminent patriots of that era
where Washington and his associates re
ceived generous hospitality and able coun
beauty OF the situation placed at our dis
posal. In harmony with all the fitness j.
the liberal support given the enterprise b.
the state, the city and the people, individ
ually.
In the name of the United States, you ex
tended respectful and cordial invitation t.
| the governments of other nations to be rep
resented and to participate in this exhibi
ton. You know the very acceptable term.
in which they responded, from even thu
most distant regions. Their commissioner
are here, and you will soon see with wha.
energy and brilliancy they have entered
upon this friendly competition in the art OF
peace.
! 1t h g been the fervent hope of the com
mission that, during this festival year, the
people from all states and sections, of al
creeds and churches, all parties and classes
burying all resentment, would come up to
gether to this birthplace of our liberties to
study the evidences of our resources, t.
measure the progress of an 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 O.
civilization.
| And furthermore, that from the associa-
ton here OF welcome visitors from all ma
| tons, there may result not alone great ben
| ehts to invention, manufactures, agriculture
| trade and commerce, but also stronger inter
national friendships and more lasting peace,
Thus reporting to you, Mr.. President, I'M
der the laws of the government and the
| usage of similar occasions, in the name of
| the United States Centennial Commission.
| present to your view the international ex-
| hibition of 1876.
was graceful and well-timed. He spoke as
| follows, from the MSS:
| PRESIDENT GRANTS ADDRESS.
My COmntrymen:-It has been thought
appropriate, upon this centennial occasion,
| to bring together in Philadelphia, for popu-
lar inspection, specimens of our attain
ments in the industrial and fine arts, and in
literature, science and philosophy, as well
as in the great business of agriculture and of
commerce.
That we may the more thoroughly appre-
ciate the excellencies and deficiencies of our
achievements, and also give emphatic ex7
preston to our earnest desire to cultivate
the friendship of our fellow members of this
great family of nations, the enlightened ag-
ricultural, commercial and manufacturing
people of the world have been invited to
send hither corresponding specimens of their
skill, to exhibit on equal terms, in friendly
competition with our own. To. this invitation
they have generously responded; for sol
doing we render them 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 view Of specimens of
the skill of all nations will afford to you UNI
alloyed pleasure, as well as yield to you IA
valuable practical knowledge of many of
the remarkable results of the wonderful
skill existing in enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was
new and but partially settled. Our necessi-
ties have compelled us to chiefly cxpend our
means and time in Telling forests subduing
Prairies, building dwellings, factories, ships,
docks, warehouses, roads, canals, machinery,
etc. Most of our schools, churches, libra
ries and asylums have been established
within a hundred years.