The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-20
The Centennial at Philadelphia.


literary features, to say nothing of the specta-
Gle of the legions of the lockers ON and the hOl
iday garniturc Of the streets ard buildings
The day opened with the ringing of the bells
and chimes throughout the city and the firing
of the national salute in Paramount Park. At
s A. NJ. the military parade and review took
place, followed at 10 O'Clock by ceremonies in
Independence square.
THE TROOPS WERE REVIEWED BY GENERAL
SHERMAN
10 the right of Gen. Sherman. upon the plat
form, was Prince Oscar. of Sweden. and on
his left Secretary Cameron. The following
persons also had places OH the stand: General
Saigo, Of the Japanese Centennial Commits
sion; Col. Martin, of Spain Mr.. John Fernic.
of England; Capt Ulner, Lieut.. Bousivitz, and
Paymaster A. S. Brink, of the Swedish frigate
Bladder; Capt. Ankarksona and Lieut.. Passe,
of the Swedish navy; Gov. Conner, Of Maine.
with his full staff Gov Lippitt, of Rhode Is
land exGov. Bigler, of Pennsylvania ex-
Lieut. Governor Cox, of Nd; Gen. Hawley,
president OF the Centennial Commission
There were also upon the platform number
of foreign centennial commissioners and mill
tary and naval officers. Among the features of
THE PARADE
was the Centennial Legion, which was organi-
zed expressly for the occasion, and is compo.
sed of q company from each of the thirteen
original States, as follows Fayetteville indie
pendent Light Infantry, n c.; Boston Light
Infantry, Massachusetts ; Washington Light
Infantry, S. c.; State Fencibles, Penn; New
Haven Grays, Conn.,; First Light Infantry
regiment Rhode Island Old Guard, veteran
Blues, of Virginia Clinch Rifles. of Georgia
Amoskeag Veterans, of N. H.; detail of 100
men from the Fifth Infantry of Maryland
Phil Kearney Guards, of N. j.; American Ri
files, of Delaware.
THE COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES
of the day were held in Independence Square,
and at 10 O'Clock every available spot in the
square and on the streets in the vicinity were
crowded with people. A stand with seats for
four thousand invited guests had been erected,
and at 1918, whenfhe ceremonies commenced.
it was entirely filled.
The members OF the Japanese centennial
commission were among the first to take their
places on the platform. The arrival Of Gov.
Hayes and Gen. Sherman, and Lieut.. Gen.
Sheridan soon AFTER was the signal for great
cheering. Among the other distinguished per-
sons on the platform was Gov. Carroll, of Nd;
Gov. Begley, of Michigan ex-Gov. Noyes, of
Ohio; Rev. DR.. Somerville, of Scotland Gov.
Lippitt, of r. l.; Gov. Axtell, of New Mexico;
Bishops Howe and Simpson, together with the
gentlemen who participated directly in the
proceedings of the day.
At fifteen minutes past ten O'Clock General
HaWley called the immense assemblaoe to Or
der, and an orchestra of two hundred and fifty
musicians, under the leadership of Prof. Gil
more, opened with the grand overture 'sThe
Great Republic" arranged for the occasion by
the composer, George F. Bristow, of New
York.
While the music was i'll progress shout of
enthusiasm signalizcd the arrival of the Bra.
lillian Emperor, Dom Pedro. He came di-
rectly to the front Of the platform and ac-
knowledged the cheers Of the people by raising
his hat, and then returned to his seat.
At the conclusion Of the music Gen. Hawley
advanced to the stand and delivered Il short adj
dress of welcome.
MIR. FERRY's ADDRESS.
He introduced as the presiding officer, Hon.
L. w. Ferry, President pro tempore of the Sen
ate, who was greeted with applause. He spoke
commencing as follows
''Citizens OF our Centennial: The regretful
absence OF the President of the United States
casts on me the honor Of presiding on this
eventful occasion. Much as I value the official
distinction, prize much more the fact that
severaly we hold and successfully we MAIN
tain the right to the prouder title OF American
citizen. 1t ranks all others it makes office,
nnmakes officers, and creates States. One
hundred years ago, in yonder historical struc-
ture, heroic statesmen sat and gravcly chose
between royal rule and popular sovereignty.
Inspired with the spirit which animated the
Roman sage who in the midst of Mars Hill de.
ciared that Of one blood were made all nations
of men, those continental sages re echoed in
independence Hall their immortal declaration
that all men are created free and equal'' He
closed as follows: ''Nations succeed each otl,-
er in following the example of this republic,
and the force Of American institutions bids fair
to bring about il great reversal of the source Of
political power When the period shall come
Great Britain, so magnanimous in her pres
ence on this suspicious era, will then, ii not
before, praise the events when American indie
pendence was won under Washington, and
when freedom and equality of races were
achieved under Lincoln and Grant,
Prayer by Rev. VIM. B. Stevens the singing
of the hymn Welcome to all Nations follow
ed, after which the Declaration of Indepen-
dence was read by Richard II. Lee, OF Va
THE ORIGINAL DECLARATION OF INDEPEN-
DENCE.
The original manuscript OF that document
was brought forward by Mayor Stokley, to
whose care it had been entrusted by the Presi-
dent of the United States. It was placed upon
the Speakers stand facing the vast multitude
in the square, and for five minutes the vicinity
fairly rang with cheers. Finally, quiet being
restored, Mr.. Lee read the Declaration in
clear, ringing voice. The reading was fire.