The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1876-06-03
OFFICIAL JOURNAL or the TOWN,
Continued from last weeks issue.J
Our Centennial Letter mo /
From Our Orm Correspondent.
Ed THIBODAUX SENTINEL 4:

SET apart 1Or distinguished VlSl-
tors, it was impossible to provide
for us all, yet Dom Pedro and
had no cause to complain, though
l somehow fancied that the Cen
tennial managers showed him
more attention than they did me
but this may have been lmagiIla
ton. The fortunate holders OF
tickets to the opening ceremonies
were early in their places, and as
is usual in such cases, about ten
times as many tickets had been
issued as there were seats for the
people, Or even standing room tol
the vast multitude that surged.
and fought, and swore, choking
mp every avenue, and trampllng
down every obsticle. The ceremo
MES were to have commenced at
half past ten sharp, but of course
somebody was late, without whom
the show could not gOOn.
At this time the scene was par
ticularly grand and imposing.
Here gathered in a narrow space
was the most magnificent assem-
blage of distinguished men aud
women ever seen OH the continent
of America. Royalty lent the sa-
vOr Of its gracious presence. Dom
Pedro, the Emperor OF Brazil,
Was there accompanied 10y his ex
cellenu Empress, now passing un
der the quiet title Of the Lady
Alacantia. On every hand there
were poets, painters, sculptors,
historians, men and women emf
ncnt in literature and art. There
wrreireverend divincs, great mer.
chants, distinguished scholars,
and gallant soldiers whose names
are renowned from the rising to
the setting sun. All that art or
wealth or beauty could contribute
to add to the glory of the scene,
seemed to concentrated in that
splendid and brilliant assembly.
The President OF the United
States occupied IL position near
the centre surrounded by his cabi
net and the United States Senate
"a little to the lett sat the Judges
of the Supreme Court and the
members of the diplomatic corps
Seated along right and left were
artists, doctors. governors, gene
rails and aldermen. Our own sweet
poet, Whittier, had contributed
the opening hymn. Richard Wag
ner, the greatest living musician,
composed the Centennial March.
Theodore Thomas, the most fa-
nous leader of his time, swayed
the magic baton. One hundred
and fifty of the most sxillful mu.
sicians composed the ochestra.
so voices swelled in the magnifi.
cent choir. As the President made
his appearance on the front of
Memorial Hall, surrounded hy
his cabinet and the Senate, the
orchestra struck up the grand
Centennial March. Then followed
a prayer by Bishop Simpson, du-
ring which the bOisterous ele-
ments of the crowd calmed down
so that you might have heard a
pin drop. Then followed Whittie-s
noble hymn, which l regard as
one Of the most splendid prodnc
tions of his life. Then cantata,
by Sidney Lanier, of Georgia, set
to music by Dudly Buck, of Con-
necticut. Mr.. Welsh, the financial
officer, made a short address. Ge-
neral Hawley, the President, then
made a formal presentation of the
Exhibition in a briet and we'll clio
sen speech, after which followed
a short address by the President
o. the United States, closing with
the announcement that the great
Exhibition was open. The words
had scarcely past bis lips. when
it seemed as ii pandemOnium had
broken loose. Cannon doomed by
the hundred muskets cracked
by the thousand pistols explod.
ed by the million. Tho ground
fairly trembled, as if affrighted
at the horrible din. Cheer upon
cheer rent the air. Men and wo.
men went rushing about shaking
hands with people they had never
seen before.
TheJapanese Ambassador gave
a smile of appreciation, and ex
claimed belly-bully, and crown
ing glory of the ceremonies, Han
del's grand hallalujah chorus, gi
ven by 500 voices, made the wei
kin ring with the sounds of .jubi
lee.
| The Foreign Commissioners