Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-05-18
President of the United States, who, thereuE
on. responded, as follows

ION, responded as 1OuOWS:
MY CouNTRYMEN: It has been thought appro'
together in5P Philadelphia, for popular inspection
specimens Of our attainments in the industrial
and fine arts and in literature, science and phi.
losophy, as we'll as in the great business OF agri-
culture and commerce.
That we may the more thoroughly appreciate
the excellences and DEFICIENCIES Of our achieve
ment, and also give emphatic expression to ouI
earnest desire to cultivate the friendship OF oul
fellow members Of this great family OF nations,
the enlightened agricultural, "commercfaf @and
manufacturing people of the world have been In
yited to send hither corresponding specimens OF
their skill to exhibit on equal terms IN friendly
competition with our own. To this invitation
thew have generously responded; for so doing
we render them our hearty thanks. Z. -,
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 unaloyed pleasure as
we'll as yield to you valuable practical knoWl-
edge of so many of the remarkable results OF the
wonderful skill existing in enlightened commu-
mites. .'.- .,,,. --- f..: Z. ,...--n. ~.
One hundred years ago our country was new
and but partially settled. Our necessities nave
compelled us to chiefly eXpend our means and
time in telling forests subduing prairies, build
ing dwellings, factories, Ships docks, warehous,
es, roads, canals, machinery. etc.,, ETC.. Most OF
our schools, churches libraries and asylums nave
been established within an huIdred years. bur
dened by these great primal works of necessity,
which could not be delayed, we yet have done
what this Exhibition will show In the dlrectlon
of rivaing older and moro advanced nations IN
law, medicine and theology; in science, htera,
ture, philosophy and the fine arts. Whilst proud
of what we have done, we regret that we have not
done more Our achievements have been great
enough, however, to make it easy for our people
to acknowledge superior merit wherever lound.
And now, fellow-citizens, I hope careful ex-
g ol>o,,f 60 hoa avh IA
will not only inspire you with a profound respect
for the skill and taste Of our friends from other
nations, but also satisfy you with the atalnments
made by our own people during the past one
ration with the worthy Commissioners to secure
brilliant success to this international Exhi0i-
ton and to make the stay Of our foreign VISITORS.
to whom we extend hearty welcome-beth prof.
I declare the International Exhibition now
open. r... ....H. 49,. ....t .. ....
The President concluded his remarks at
precisely 12 o'clock, when at signal from
Gen. Hawley the American flag was unfurled
from the main building. The hallelujah cho'
rus was rendered with orchestral and organ
accompaniment, and salute of one hundred
guns was fred from Georges Hill, with the
ringing of the chimes from the different parts
Of the ground. During the performance Of
the chorus, the foreign commissioners passed
from the platform into the main building, and
took places upon the central aisle before their
respective departments, after which President
Grant, accompanied by Director-General
Goshorn, followed by the guests Of, the day,
passed into the main building and from thence
to Machinery Hall. In this Hall one Of the
most impressive scenes Of the day took place,
when the President, assisted by his Imperial
Majesty Don Pedro, started the motive power
of the hall. At a signal from Gen. Hawley,
the President and the Emperor each seized a
crank, opening the valves, and turned them
several times At once sound was heard
which gave to the people the understanding
that the engine was about to move. Then
the monstrous seventy.ton hy.wheel began
slowly moving, increasing gradually in rapid
ity until it was travelling at its full speed.
Gen. Hawley started the "hurrah," which was
taken up by the surrounding multitude. The
deafening echoes travelled through the build
ing, and as all the wheels in the hall began
moving, the ringing of the bells and other
demonstrations told to the world that the
Centennial Exhibition was fairly opened.
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