Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-05-16
Appropriate Remarks by the
President of the United States.
Prayer by Bishop Simpson OF
the Methodist Church.
Large Number of Distinguished
Persons Present.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May 10.-To-
day is legal holiday. All business is
suspended, The gates were opened at
8 o clock, and the sky was cloudless.
The foreign Commissioners and other
distinguished visitors had a special
entrance and were seated without con-
fusion. There were fully $4,000 per-
sons on the grounds. The ceremonies
were opened with the national airs Of
all nations, under the direction of
Theodore Thomas, and a prayer was
offered by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Simp-
son, and hymn by John Greenleaf
Whittier.
The buildings were presented TO the
United States Centennial Commission
by Centennial Commissioner, Sydney
Lanier, of Georgia. Joseph r. Hawley,
presented the Exhibition TO the Presi,
dent of the United States.
The proclamation address of the
opening of the International Exhibit
ton OF 1876 was delivered by the
President as follows;
MY CoUNTRYMEN: 1t has been
thought appropriate, upon this Cen
tennial OCCASION to bring together in
Philadelphia, for popular Inspection
of specimens of our attainments, in
the industrial and fine arts, literature.
science, philosophy, as well as in the
great business of agriculture and of
commerce, that we may the more
thoroughly appreciate the eXcellencies
and deficiencies of our achievements,
and also, to give emphatic expression
to our earnest desire to cultivate the
friendship of our fellow members of
this great family of nations. The en-
lightened agricultural, commercial
and manufacturing people of the world
have been invited to send hither, COR
responding specimens of their skill to
exhibit on equal terms, in friendly
competition with our own. TO this
invitation they have generously re-
sponded, and for so doing, we render
them our hearty thanks.
The beauty and utility Of the con-
tributions WILL this day, be submitted
to your inspection 10y the manager of
the Exhibition, and we are glad to
know that a view of specimens of the
skill of all nations, will afford to you
unlimited pleasure, az well as yield to
you n valuable practical knowledge of
so many of the remarkable results OF
the wonderful skill existing in en-
lightened communities. One hun
ultu Othls ago. our COuhlIJ WIS ne"
and partially settled, and our neces.
stiles have compelled us to chiefly ex-
pend our means and time in telling
forests, subduing praires, building
dwellings, factories, ships, docks,
warehouses, roads, canals, machinery,
&c, &c.
Most of our schools, churches,
libraries and asylums have been
! n N hliahn oil mil him hn.,IraH
Burthened by these great primal
works of necessity, which could not
be delayed, we vet have done what
this exhibition will show in the direc-
ton of rivaling older and more ad-
vanced nations in law, medicine and
theology in science, literature,
philosophy and the fine arts. Whilst
pround of what we have done we
regret that we have not done more.
Our achievements have been great
enough, however, To make IL easy for
our people to acknowledge superior
merit wherever found and, now fell
w-citiZens, | hope n careful eXami-
nation of what is about to be exhibit
ed to you will not only inspire you
with a profound respect for the skill
and taste of our friends from other ma
lions. but also satisfy you with the
attachments made by our own people,
during the past one hundred years.
invoke your generous operation
with the worlds Commissioners TO Sc
cure a brilliant success to this Inter-
national Exposition and to mako the
stay of our foreign visitors, to whom
we extend a hearty welcome, both
profitable and pleasant to them. / de-
clare the International Exhibition
now open.