The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-05-11
ByTeIegraph
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT
70 THE DAILY 1NT91LfaEsdER
Opening Of the Centennial
Vast ThrOngs in Attendance
The Ceremonies Of the Occasion
Speeches by Gen. Hawley, The PresldsnI
pa 2lSi7 and Others.
Til, Building. Opened to the Public

| 4 "'s6'' and Others.
Tho Buildings Opened to the Public.
;PmIApE1rHi1, Mfay1o.L .LThis morn.
ing was yery3rainy, with prospectS Of q
steady rainy day, but the indications are
now that the clouds will break, the rain
cease, and the original programme Of
the opening ceremonies will be carried
out. The city is crowded with visitors,
and the streets are all ablaze with flags.
The Exposition opening is the only topic
OF conversation, and since early In the
morning throngs Of people, on foot, in the
street cars, carriages, wagons and steam
cars, have been proceeding toward the
Centennial grounds in anticipation Of
the opening Of the gates.
This morning early military parade
omprising portion Of the First Divi.
sion, took place, passing through the
principal streets Of the city. The dis.
play was fine, though not nearly 80 large
as it would have been had the weather
been favorable. II the weather becomes
clear the opening Of the Exposition will
be q great success.
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.
l1.30-At IL o'clock the Presidential
party accompanied by the officials pre-:
viously designated proceeded TO the plat.
form, the President having been escorted
to the grounds by Governor Hartranft
with division Of military. The plat
form was at once crowded and all the
surrounding space, and all available
points OF elevation in the neighborhoOd
were already occupied by the crowds OF
visitors. The orchestra; while seats were
being secured, played national airs, and
after the parties on the platform had ar.
ranged themselves played
wAdSER's CENTENNIAL MARCH,
which was received with applause. All
ter the opening prayerby Bishop Simpson,
Of the NJ. E. Church, and the singing Of
Whittier's Centennial hymn, the presen-
,ation Of the buildings took place, the
Board OF Finance with appropriate
speeches and ceremonials turning over
1 the buildings TO the Commission. Next
followed the singing OF ...,-,....
| SIDNEY TASIER'sCASTATA, 4
by full chorus, accompanied by the or:
chestra. The applause Of the vast crowd
was enthusiastic, and portions oi the mu'
sic were encored, especially the bass solo
by Mr.. Whitney, OF Boston.
THE PRESENTATION TO THE PRESIDENT.
The presentation OF the Exhibition to
the President OF the United States, by
President Hawley OF the United States
Centennial Commission now followed by
President ITawley making an elaborate
and heartily applauded speech. When
President Grant arose to respond he was
greeted with enthusiastic and long con-
iinued applause, followed by three cheers
and tiger led by Gen. Ifawley!
President Grant then read his response,
which was brief and expressed in we'll
chosen terms the Importance Of the Ex-
hibition and the greatness OF the events
which it commemorate So great was
the confusion in the crowd, however, and
so low the tone OF voice in which the
speech was read, that people few yards
away could not hear what was uttered.
The close Of the Presidents brief nd.
dress was followed by
RAISING TIE FLAG
on the Main Building, the signal that the
Exhibition was open. Salutes were fired,
bells commenced ringing, the chorus be.
gan singing the "Hallelujah Chorus"
the chimes commenced ringing various,
airs. and the President and invited guests,
amid the cheers OF the crowd, began the
procession through the Main Building
and Machinery Hall. =
1850 A. M-The sky has cleared and
the weather is beautiful, sunny but not
too warm. The grounds are in very good
condition in spite Of the hard and long
continued rain. Though there Is much
mud the gates opened at little alter s
o'clock, and crowds have been pouring in
ever since. 1t Is roughly estimated that
R1FrY rHousASD PEOPLE
are now on the grounds, and still there is
a constant rush Of people through the
gates. Owing to the favorable change in
the weather, the original programme is
to be carried out though the arrange
ment had been made for the Inauguration
ceremonies in tile main building in case
Of continued rain. A spacious platform
has been erected at the side OF the Mem.
orial Hall, north Of the Ccnter and Main
Building. Seats are arranged on the
platform for the official and others invit-
ed guests. At the right OF the centre are
seats for the President and members
Of the cabinet and further 10 the right seat
for the United Senator'S, members OF the
House Of Representatives, Governors OF
various states with their stafis, the
Governor, State officers, Supreme Court
and Legislature OF pennsy ylvania, and the
representatives ofthe army and navy, ..
s. Judges, 4 Officers Of the Executive
Bureaus and members Of the Woman's
Centennial Committee. On the left centre
are the seats,of the United States Supreme
Court, and further to the left are seats
| for the members Of the Diplomatic Corps
and members OF the Centennial Commits
sion, Board OF Finance, Womens Execu-
tive COMMITTEES, foreign Commissions,
Mayor, Council and other officers ot Phil
adeIphia, Mayors Of other cities, State
i Centennial Boards, Board OF Award,
Judges OF yacht and rife clubs, and along
the front Of the platform are seats for
4 members OF The press. The orchestra Of $50
persohs, and a chorus Of 1000 voiced.
under the direction Of Theodore Thomas
and Dudley Back, are stationed directly
1 in front OF the platform, at the side Of the
\ main building. The space in front Of the
\ platform, except that re'erVed for
passage ways, is open 70 the
public. Until after The inaugJl 1tiOu
The main building, machinery hall ard
memorial hall are reserved Tor invited
guests and closed to the phbItc. All the
guests pass through the main building,
entering At Ihe east or Wsst end or at the
south side and then through the center
door at the north side to the platform.
The space about the platform and for
such distance that TO see and hear are
| impossible, Is crowded deRSely with peo.
ple waiting for the opening exercises.
THE EXHIBITION OPEN.
The exhibition is now open. The pro-
i = ~ ...,s,k tk,. kTtR 4 I'M, hRa mat hAAn