, 1876-05-27

followed the close. The whole speech. ratbes
a long one for Gen. Grant was as followss
My Countrymen 1t has been Thoughts ape
propriate. upon this Centennial occasion. TO
bring together in Philadelphia, for popular
inspection, specimens of our sttainments in the
industrial and fine arts, and in literature
science, and philosophy, as we'll as in the great
business of agriculture and of commerce.
That We may the more thoroughly appreciate
the excellencies and deficiencies of our
achievements, and also give emphatic expires.
sion to our earnest desire to cultivate the
friendship of our fellow.members Of this great
family of nations, the enlightened agricultural,
commercial, and manufacturing people of the
world have been invited to send hither cores
pondIng specimens of their skill, to exhibit on
equal terms in friendly competition with our
own. To this invitation they have generously
responded for SO doing We tender them our
hearty thanks.
Tue beauty and utility of the contributions
will this day be submitted to your inspe otion by
the managers of this Exhibition. We are glad
to know that q view of specimens Of the skill
of all nations will afford to you unalloyed plea.
sure, as we'll as yield to you q valuable practical
knowledge of so many Of the remarkable re-.
suits of the wonderful skill existing in ealight-
ened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was new
and but partially settled. Our necessities have
compelled US to chiefly expend Gus means aud
time in telling forests, subduing p%rairies, build.
ing dwellings, factories, ships, docks, ware
houses, roads, canals, machinery, &c. Most
of our schools, churches, libraries, and asyluma
have been established within an hundred years.
Burdened by these great primal works Of
nacaocifv vyhioh nO,1J 80 - Iola-.I $500
have done what this Exhibition will show in
the direction of ~rivAlIing older aud more ad-
vanced nations in law, medicine, aud theology
IN science, literature, philosophy, and the fne
arts. While proud Of what we have done, We
regret that We have not done more. Our
achievements have been great enough, however,
to make 1t easy for our people to acknowledge
superior merit wherever found.
And now, fellow.citizons, I hope a careful
examination of what is about to be exhibited to
you will not only inspire you with a profound
respect for the skill aud taste of our friends
from other nations, but also satisfy you with
the attainments made by our own people during
the past one hundred years. l invoke your
generous cooperation With the worthy Oom-
mlssioneCs to secure q brilliant success to this
International Exhibition, aud to make the stay
of our foreign visisors-to whom we extend g
hearty welcome-both profitable and ~ploassne
to them.
declare tue International Exhibition new
open.
At the conclusion Of tho Presidents speech
the stars aud stripes were hoisted on the great
tower of the Main Building, the orchestra aud
voices thundared the opening strains Of the
H lleluj Nh chorus, the multitude shouted
a roar of patriotic greeting, the battery on st.
Georges Hill responded with its hundred
guns, tho bells on Machinery Hall rang QUE the
tidings and tbs Centennial Exhibition vas
declared open.