Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-05-13
Opening the Centennial.

On Thursday Philadelphia enjoyed
the lOng-looked-for opening of the
Centennial Exposition, which is to
celebrate with display of the worlds
works of peace the one hundredth an.
niversary of American independence.
1t was glorious, bright sunshiny day
until after all the formalities of the
Inauguration had ended. Fully three
fourths of the houses in the city were
decorated with numerous flags of all
nations in honor of the international
event. The perspective of some of the
chief thoroughfares showed nothing
but converging lines of colors above,
hiding the houses, and dark converg-
ing lines of people in multitudes
thronging the sidewalks below.
The following is President Grants
speech:
My FslloaO- Co,tntrymen:: It has
been appropriate upon this Centennial
occasion, to bring together in Philadel-
phia, for popular inspection, specimens
of our attainments in the industrial
and fine arts and in literature, science
and philosophy, as well as in the great
business Of agriculture. and of COM
merce.
That we may the more thoroughly
appreciate the e1cellencies and def
ciencies of our achievements and also
give emphatic expressions to our ear
nest desire to cultivate the friendship
of our fellow-members of the great
family of nations, the enlightened agri-
cultural, commercial,and manufactur-
ing people of the world have been invi
ted to send hither corresponding spec
linens of their skill to exhibit on equal
terms in friendly competition with
their own. To this invitation they
have generously responded; for SO do
ing we render them our hearty thanks.
The beauty and utility Of the con-
tributions 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 unalloy-
ed pleasure, as we'll as yield to you a
valuable, practical, knowledge of SO
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 necessities have compelled us to
chiefly expend our means and time in
telling forests, subduing praries, build
ing dwellings, factories ships, docks,
warehouses, roads, canals machinery,
etc., etc. Most of our schools church
es, libraries and asylums have been
established within an hundred years.
Burthened by these great primal works
Of necessity which could not be delay
ed, we yet have done what this e1hi-
bition will show in the direction of ri
valing older and more advanced ma
tions in law, medicine and theology :;
in science, literature, 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 &C
knowledge superior merit wherever
found.
And now, fellow citizens, l hope a
careful examination of what is about to
be exhibited to you will not only in
spire you with profound respect
for the skill and 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 gem
erous cooperation with the worthy
commissioners to secure brilliant,
success to this national exhibition,
and to make the stay of our foreign
visitors both profitable and pleasant to
them.
l declare the Centennial Exhibition
now open.
The President was then loudly
cheered, the Emperor of Brazil rising
in his seat and joining in the demon
stratiou by waving his hat,
1t was estimated that there were
not far from 100000 people in the as
semblage at this time.
At precisely IL o'clock, at signal
from General Hawley, the American
flag was unfurled from the main build
F-Nt