The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-05-18
THE CENTENNIAL.
The Great show Opened.

The Great show Opened.
The great Centeanial Exhibition was
formally opened on the 10th with APP
-propriate and imposing ceremonies
There was large crowd of visitors in
attendance yarionsly estimated al
from $4,000 to 100000.
At ii o'clock the Presidents party,
accompanied by the officials previous
ly designated, proceeded to the plat
form, the President having been es-
corted to the grounds by Governor
Hartranft with q division of: military.
The platform was at once crowded,
and all the surrounding place and all
available points of elevation in the
neighborhood were already occupied
by the crowds of visitors.
The orchestra. while seats were be-
/ ing secured, played national airs, and
after the party on the platform had ar
ranged themselves, played Wagner's
Centennial March, which was receiv-
ed with applause.
The opening prayer was made by
Bishop Simpson of the Methodist
Episcopal church, aud of which the
following is the conclusion:
"May the new century be better than
the past, more radiant with the light
of true philosophy, warmer with the
May capital, genius and labor be en-
f,.oo1 ol N o,rfo hv hn
tablishment and application of such
principles of justice and equality. as
shall reconcile the diversified and bind
in imperishablc bands all parts of So
ciety.
After the opening prayer by Bishop
Simpson OF the Methodist Episcopal
church and the singing of Whittier's
Centennial Hymn, the presentation of
the buildings took place: the board of
finance. with appropriate speeches
and ceremonies, turning over the
buildings to the commission. a<
Next followed the singing of Sidney
Lanier's cantata by the full chorus, &C.
companied by the orchestra. The ap-
plause of the vast crowds was enthu.
sias.ic and portions of the music were
encored, especially the bass solo sung
by Mr.. Whitney of Boston.
President Grant then read his pre-
sentation address which, in full. is as
follows:
"My countrynen: 1t has been
thought appropriate upon this centen-
niol nnnQsinn hl.In0 IN,
Philadelphia, for popular inspection,
specimens of our attainments in the
industrial and fine arts aud i'm litera-
ture, science and philosophy, as well
As i'm the great business OF agriculture
and of commerce, that we may the
more thoroughly appreciate the excel
lencies and deficiencies of our achieve
ment and also give emphatic express
sion to our earnest desire 10 cultivate
the friendship of enr fellow members
of this great family of nations.
"Tha enlightened agricultural, COM
mercial 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 generally
responded. For go doing we render
them our hearty thanks.
"fhe beauty and utility of the con-
tribufions will this day be submitted
to your inspection by the managers OF
this exhibition. We are glad to know
thai a view of the specimens of the
skill of all nations will afford TO you
unaliOyed pleasure as well as yield to
you available practical knowledge of
the remarkable results of centennial
growth"
The confusion i'm the crowd and the
low tone of voice i'm which the speech
was read, was such that people few
yards away could not hear what was
uttered.
The close of the Presidents brief ad-
dress was followed by the raising of
the flag on the main building. signal
that the exhibition was open. Salutes
were fired, bells commenced ringing,
the chorus began singing the Hallelu-
jah Chorus, chimes commenced to ring
various airs, and the President and in.
yited guests, amid cheers from the
crowd, began their procession through
the main building and machinery hall.
After the ceremonies at the Centen-
nial grounds this afternoon Governors
Hartranft, of Pennsylvania; Bedell, of
New Jersey Carroll, of Maryland, ,and
Rice, of Massachusetts,, visited the
buildings erected by their states re-
spectively and held informal recep-
-tions.
The illumination i'm the city at night
was on a grand scale. The State House
building was the great center of at
traction and at one time the crowd
was SO great OH Chestnut street that it
was almost impossible to pass. Cal
cium lights were thrown upon the his
torical building and everything was as
brilliant as in the'daytime. The illu-
minatIon was continued until mid
night. i
The Indianapolis Election Riot