The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-11-16
Closing of the Centennial.

SUM ISc W tuc INcN SiOHC DdttSi y, anu Sill
from the United States steam
er Plymouth in the harbor. The first city
troop was drawn up in front OF the Judges
Hall at halt-past L, and. aided by de-
tachment of the Centennial Guards, a
space extending from the entrance along
the avenue in front as far rs Barthcldi
fountain was enclosed. Within this en-
closure all those provided with special
passes for the Judges Hall were permit
ted to enter. About O'Clock the city
troop entered the building, and proceed
ing to the main hall formed hollow
square about the platform erected at the
northern end. Cows Hartranft of Penn
sylvania. Rice of Massachusetts, Bayley
OF Michigan, Bedle of New jersey, and
Cochran OF Delaware, President Grant,
Secretary of War Cameron, Secretary of
State Fish, Chief Justice Waite of the I.
5. Supreme Court, Justices Bradley, Da-
Wis and Strong of the [. S. Supreme
Court. Sir Edward Thornton and other
distinguished guests We're assigned seats
troop opened Il wide passageway direct
from the stage to the front entrance, and
Director-General Goshorn President Haw-
ley, Mr.. John Welsh, Commissioner Nor
rill, and the heads of the various depart
ments OF the Centennial management,
passed to the left of the stage, the first
four mentioned ascending the platform
where chairs had been reserved for them
The members of the Centennial Chorus
and the Thomas Orchestra arrived in the
meantime, and were escorted to the bal
comics, the orchestra occupying the whole
of one side and the chorus more than fill
ing the other, a few. moments after ,
o clock President Grant arrived and was
greeted with a hearty applause as he
passed through the military line, and as
cending TIE platform took his seat in the
centre Of the front row, between Gen.
Hawley and Director General GOshorn
The orchestra then performed Wagner
inauguration March with much greater
effect than on the opening day, the instru-
ments sounding to much better advantage
than in the open air The invocation was
Of Philadelphia. the audience meanwhile
rising and remaining standing and silent
until its close. The next item OF the pro-
oramme was the rendition of Bach s
"Chorale and Fugue" by the orchestra,
which was given with fine expression, the
devotional harmonies ia the first move
ment seeming like fitting interude al
ter the feryent supplcation just offered
Hon. ID. J. Morrell was then introduced
and was greeted with applause, lasting
several minutes. He elOquently revi;.we ed
the worl. incident to the organization and
subsequent labors of the Centennial Com
mission, the Board OF Finance and the
Women's Centennial, Commission. The
Dettingen lie Deum was admirably sung
by the chorus, while the orchestra per-
formed 4 most effective accompaniment.
Mr.. John Welsh was eXt introduced and
greeted with an exceptionally prolonged
applause. He paid an eloquent and rev
OF the century Just past He referred to
the great exhibition which in the short
term OF Sin months had concentrated on
that spot eight millions of visitors, the re-
personalities of many nations skilled, ac-
complished and experienced, bringing
with them stores and treasures Of long
practiced industry and art 1t has, he
said, made the country and its institll-
tons known to intelligent representatives
of all nations. They have had access to
our homes, have become familiar with
our habits, have studied our system OF
education, observed the administration OF
our laws. and Will hereafter understand
why the United States eXerts SO large an
influence on other nations. and conse-
quently the great truth that in proportion
to the intelligence of a people is their 10y
atty to their Government.
n copclu sion ha CaiI that tl,a ,r,,, of Il
Acknowledgements of this nation We're due
to all, at home and abroad, who had
helped found this great enterprise. Alter
Mr.. Welsh's address the orchestra per-
formed Beethoven's fifth symphony.
Hon "A. L. IOSnOrn, DlrccLOr-Leneral
..t-...--. .l-~.. delivered an adj
dress. lie cordially thanked the foreign
Commissioners and foreign exhibitors for
their hearty cooperation, and declared
that their presence would be accepted by
the people Of this country as Il mission OF
international goodwill and tratcrnal inter
course. After congratuIating the exhibit
ors from our own country he alluded
gracefully to The efficient and faithful
work OF his coollicals and personal staff.
The chorus then sang the liallelujah
Chorus from the Messiah, after which
Hon, Joseph Il. Hawley, President of the
United States Centennial Commission, de
liyered an address. ably reviewing the
great difficulties which were at first found
in the path of the enterprise, the final sue
cess and ultimate result Of the Centennial
exhibition. He concluded by SAYING
"God send us all, individuals and ma
tons, happy future, Mr.. President, we
await your PLEASURE
Upon the conclusion of the above ad-
dress the chorus and orchestra rendered
the National hymn, "America," in which
the audience joined. As this patriotic air
was being sung the original flag Of the
American Union, first displayed by Com
modore Paul Jones on the bon uomme
Richard, was displayed from a window
overlooking the space Immediately adioin-
ing the platform on the left. Part of the
audience cheered while the others sang,
while all eyes We're turned to the ancient
relics until the hymn Was concluded The
uniurling Of the liag was the work of Miss
Sarah }. Stafford OF Trenton, n J., daugh-
ter Of Lieut. james Bayard Stafford of the
Continental Navy, who was with Paul
Jones IN the famous engagement of the
Bon Homme Richard, with the British
trigate Scraps. The flag has remained in
possession Of the lady's family ever since
the Revolution, and for many years been
committed to her special custody. Upon
the conclusion OF the singing and subsi-
dence of the iurore Of enthusiasm which
accompanied it, Gen. Hawley announced
that the President Of the United States
would give a Geographic signal for stop
ping the great Corlss engine. and at the
same moment would announce the close
Of the exhibition. President Grant accord
ingly rose and gave the required sigma! by
a wave Of his left hand. accompanying
the. act with this defamation
| declare the Centennial international
Exhibition of 1876 closed
simultaneously with the utterance Of
the official announcement it was instan-
communicated by telegraph to
the exhibitors in Machinery Hall, by u
system OF gongs in that building to the
e exhibitors, and to the visitors generally
by a gong in the general telegraph office
ON the grounds. and by All independent
wire cabled directly to London. For this
purpose two wires had been introduced
into the hall. an instrument stationed on