Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-08-24
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
CONDUCTED BY ]. F. LANeENBAUGs.
TRIP TO TUE CENTENNIAL

lennlal.' Before we would do so we
would ask the indulgence of the read
ers and patrons of the REPUBLICAN for
the manifold plumbers we may make.
however we will do our best in as
brief and concise manner as posi-
Die, and endeavor to convey an idea
OF the magnitude and splendor of the
great INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION and
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY" of our Ma
donal existence. Our time was linn
tied to the Mecca Of American Ma
tionality, and our description will be
limited also. We will not intrude on
the patience and time of the readers
Of the educational column, of the
journey hither, the mountain scenery
on the way to Philadelphia, Balti-
more, and Washington, but will at
tnce briefly state that an Act of Con-
gress, March Sd, 1871, provided that
an Exhibition of American and for
eign arts, products, and manufactures
should be held in Philadelphia, in
1876 In 1872, a proclamation by the
President announced the same, and
commended it to the people of the
United States and to all nations. In
1874, an Act Of Congress requested
the President to extend, in the name
OF the United States, an invitation to
the governments of other nations to
be represented, and take part in the
exhibition; at the same time an Act
directing that all articles imported for
exhibition should be admitted free Of
duty. February 18th, 1876, an Act OF
Congress appropriated the sum of
s1,5OO,OOO to the purpose of the exhi-
ton. But previous to all this a me-
mortal to the Honorable u. S. Senate
and House Of Representatives had
been sent and acted on. The Coun-
Gil Of the City Of Philadelphia, the
Board of Managers of the Franklin
Institute, and the Legislature of the
Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, had
each appointed committees to solicit
Congress to recognize the fact that
the city of Philadelphia be the place
to hold the Centennial Anniversary
of these United States. The entire
labor OF preparation for and manage
ment OF this exhibition devolved up
on two executive bodies appointed by
the proper authorities. These were
empowered to make all necessary
rules and regulations, receive all ap-
plications for the erection of annexes
or buildings necessary. CThese an
nexes form very interesting and i'm
portant part of what is to be seen on
the Exhibition Grounds) They nego-
tiated all contracts and supervised all
building operations, and assigned
space to the exhibitors. The recep-
ton Of articles commenced January
9Th, 1876, and the exhibition opened
May 10th, 1876
On May 10th, 1876, the great Inter-
national Exhibition was opened, the
public was admitted to the grounds,
and the opening ceremonies CON-
menced at half past ten o'clock. Mr..
Theodore Thomas had charge of the
Orchestra. The President of the
United States was escorted to the
grounds by Gov. Hartranft, by mil
itary escort. Invocation of the Di-
vine blessing; original hymn, by J.
G. Whittier; original cantata follow
ed; after which General Hawley,
President OF the Centennial Commits
sion reported to U. s. Grant, Presi-
dent OF the United States that the
Exhibition was ready to be opened.
The flags were then unfurled, the ar
tillery salute1; the chimes in the
tower rang, and chorus of six hun
dred voices rendered HandePs great
"HalleIuiah. The President, accom-
panied by the invited guests, then
passed through the Main Exhibition
Building to Machinery Hall, in the
centre whereof with his own hand he
started the Corliss engine, which put
all the machinery in motion. and with
a loud voice, U. s. Grant, President
Of the United States, declared the
Centennial" Exhibition open to the
world.
On July 4, 1876, there was an old
fashioned 4th of July celebration,
presided over by the President of the
United States Bishop Stevens in
yoked the Divine blessing. Richard
Henry Lee, grandson OF the Rich
ard Henry Lee who moved the Dec
laratIon Of Independence, July 4th,
1776) read the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence. the Hon. VIM. NJ. Evarts
delivered the address, Bayard Taylor
read an ode, and in the evening there
was a magnificent display of fire.
works. Such was the Centennial 4th
of July, celebrated in the city Of Phil
adelphia-
Two hundred and thirty-six acres
of the most beautiful portion of Fair
mount Park, have been inclosed for
the purpose of the Main Exhibition.
The inclosing fence, over three miles
in length, has seventeen entrance
gates, each fitted with self-regisfer-
ing turnstile that records the number
OF visitors entering the grounds. ADJ
ditional entrance gates are provided
for the exclusive use OF employees
and others entitled to free admission.
Separate and conveniently located
grounds have been provided, for ex-
hibits OF livestock, trials of agri-
cultural implements, international
matches Of various kinds, etc. With
in the main inclosure are located the
five principal Exhibition buildings,
and about one hundred and fifty other
buildings (annexes,) designed for ev-
cry variety Of use. All these build
ings carry over each entrance a num-
bered banner surmounted by small