Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-05-17


read the following speech: =
My CouSTRyMEN,: 1T has been
thought appropriate upon this Cen
tennial occasion to bring togeth-
Ter. in Philadelphia for popular in
Il spection specimens Of our attain
/ ments in the industrial and fine arts,
and in literature, science and philos-
Iophy, as well as in the great business
Of agriculture and of commerce, that
we may the more thoroughly appre-
I ciate the excellencies and DEFICIENCIES
of our achievements, and also to give
Iclnphaticl expression to our earnest
desire To cultivate the friendship of
our fellow members ofthis great fam
| lily of'nations. The enlightened agri-
cultural, commercial and manufac-
turing people OF the world have been
| Invited to send hither corresponding
specimens Of their skill to exhibit on
equal terms, in friendly competition
with our own. To this invitation
tthcy have generally responded. For
ESQ doing we render them our hearty
thanks! The beauty and utility of
tic lcontfiyutions will this day be sub
ffaitted to- yoh for inspection by the
managers ofthis exhibition. We are
/ glad to Know that view of speci-
mems. Of the skill of all nations will
afford 10 You lunalloyed spleasure, as
we'll as yield - ron n vas(lab1e prac-
teal knowledge of so many Of the
remarkable results Of the wonderful
skill existing in enlightened commu-
mites.
One hundred years ago our coun-
try was new and but partially settled.
Our necessities have compelled us to
chiefly expend our means and time in
telling forests. subdning prairies,
building dwellings, factories, ships,
docks, warehouses, roads, canals, ma
chinery, etc, etc. Most of our schools,
churches, libraries and asylums, have
been established within one hundred
years. Burthened by these great pri-
NAL works of necessity, which could
not be delayed, we yet have done
what this exhibition will show i'm the
direction of rivaling older and more
advanced nations I'm law, medicine
and theology, i'm science, literature,
philosophy and the fine arts. Whilst
proud of what we have done, we re-
y
And now, fellow citizens, / hope a
careful examination of what is about
to be exhibited will not only inspire
You with profound respect for the
skill and taste of our friends from
other nations, but also satisfy you
with the attainmcnts of our own peo-
pie during the past 100 years.
l invoke your generous co-opera-
ton with the worthy Commissioners
to secure a brilliant success to this In
ternational Exhibition and to make
the, stay of our foreign visitors, to
whom we extend a hearty welcome,
both profitable and pleasant to them.
Ideclare the International Exhibition
now open.
The Presidents brief address was
followed by raising the flag on the
main building as a signal that the
Exhibition was open. Salutcs were
fired, bells commenced ringing, the
chorus began singing "Hallelujah,"
chorus chimes commenced to ring va
rious airs, and the President and in
vited guests amid cheers from the
crowd. began a procession through
the main building and machinery
hall.
Next followed the singing of Sid
ney Lancer's cantata by full chorus,
accompanied by the orchestra. The
applause of the vast crowds was en-
thusiastic, and portions of music
were encored, especially the basso
solo as sung by Mr.. Whitney.
President Grant, Secretary Fish
and other members of the Cabinet
have just driven from the Centennial
ground. Cordons of guards have
been removed from the approaches to
The Main Hall, Memorial Hall and
Machinery Hall, and all parts of the
Exposition are now open to the pub
l'lic. The crowds which have hereto
fore lined both sides of all the ap-
proaehes where the procession passed
have dispersed to all parts of the
ground.
Cheers are resounding on all sides.
bells are ringing, bands arc playing
in all directions. and the Centennial
Exposition of 1876 is formally open
cd.
/ PHILADELPHIA, May ll-It is esti-
mated that up to the time of closing
the Exposition lastevening over 250,-
600 people had passed in at the gates.
No exact count can be made as the
registering arrangements were not
complete ard thousands entered with
out registry.
In the city the excitement and iol-
litications were kept up nearly all
night. Philadelphia wore such an
aspect of ioveliness and gaiety as
heretofore seemed impossible.
| The principal social feature of the
event last evening was the reception
at the residence Of Mr. Geo.W. Childs.
The guests included the President
and Mrs. Grant, Cabinet members.
several Senators and Governors,
Chief Justice Waite, Gen. Sherman,
Sheridan and Hancock, fonr or five
Admirals, Mayors of half dozen
cities. aud great number of foreign
dignitaries. Among these were Dom
Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, with the
Empress Sierdward. Mr.. Thornton,
British minister, and nearly all the
Centennial Commissioners from for
eign countries. Various other brill
liant receptions took place during the
evening.
/ To-day the excitement and enthusi-
asm continues i'm full force. The dis
play of flags and decorations on. all
! the streets Is boundless and continu-
Eous. The throng of visitors is pres
sing into the Exposition.
The opening of the Exposition
i may be declared great and unequal
ed success.
This evening Sir Edward Thorn
tton will give reception to distin-
guished party at st. Georges Hall.
200 guests are expected.
/ President Grant and the Washing
ton officials leave for the capitol to-
morrow morning.
The Emperor and Empress of Bra
zil are OH a visit to Wilmington to-
day, and leave for New York to-mor.
row.
The counting of the receipts and
registers at the gates Of the Exposi-
tion is now going on and although
far from complete, already shows an
attendance of $4,000 on the grounds
yesterday.