The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-06-10
From the Centennial City.

ThiLAptLfhiA, Dltf -, lotO.
Editors of the Register On the
morning Of the notable 10th the lowering
clouds and the passing mists indicated to
the countless thousands " ho, with upturu.
edfaces, were scanning the'thick vapors, ,taat
doubtful things are mighty uncertain, !"
and that it might prove to be rainy
day but after slight shower the lower
strata Of clouds began to break, revealing
the silver lining, and soon afterward the
orb Of day was seen mounting the eastern
sky, with his usual noiseless but majestic
tread. The grand procession moved out
West Walnut street en- route for the Cen.
tennial grounds. escorted by the first city
troop in their splendid uniforms, headed
by President Grant and SUITE his cabinet,
Senate and House Of Representatives,
judges Of the United States supreme
court, etc.. then Viscount Dom Pedro,
Emperor Of Brazil, and suite, foreign
ministers, and other dignitaries in any
quantity, both foreign and domestic
Probably on 90 other occasion since the
formation Of the government were 80
many distinguished persons cougregated
at any one point. or on any one day, as
at Philadelphia on the 10th day of May,
1876.
Through the editorial courtesy and in.
Huence Of the REGISTER, your humble
correspondent was rendered press ticket
that entitled him to seat among the
500 reporters and correspondents Of the
various journals in the United States,
and some from foreign lands.
AS the sun rapidly absorbed the
dampDess from the wetted streets and
arenas, the countless throng resembled a
large army, and looked as though they
were moving to capture the Centennial.
Fow places have ever witnessed such q
mass Of humanity as crowded the arenas
bordering the Centennial grounds. After
the dignitaries had arrived, they at
length were seated on the great platform
directly in front Of Memorial Hall the
front of the central stand WAS covered
with large American flag, across which
was draped. in honor Of the Emperor oi
Brazil, the green and yellow folds of the
Brazilian standard. At nearly eleven
O'Clock the Centennial Inauguration
march, composed by Wagner. was begun
BY tho orchestra; they played successive
ly eighteen national airs, closing with
Hail Columbia, which called forth round.
Of applause. Then succeeded the singing
by 1000 voices, which. made the Lans
dowDe plateau resonant with patriotic il
not sacred song; at the close of which
Gen. Hawley introduced to the grea'
concourss of people the venerated Bishop
Simpson. D.D., who offered a most elo
quent. patriotic and impressive prayer te
the Most High then succeeded the ad
dress of Mr.. Welsh, president Of the
board Of finance. Gen. Hawley ther
made the formal presentation Of the ex
hibition to the president of the United
States. President Grant then stepped
to the front amid applause, and made {
very sensible and pertinent reply, closing
with The words. II declare the interna
tional exhibition aow open" At th,
conclusion Of the presidents remarks, a
precisely l2 o'clock, at a given signal
the American flag was run up the stat
to the highest point of the main exhibi
tion building, accompanied by salute o
artillery Of 100 guns from the heights o
Georges Hill" and the melodiou
chimes oi the bells suspended in tn
main tower Of machinery hall. At thi
juncture the procession reformed an,
marched through the main building an,
machinery hall, with the LIST Philadelphi
city cavalry as an escort, headed b,
President Grant, with Mrs. Dom Pedr
leaning on his arm, then the Dom, escort
iug Mrs. Grant. On entering machiner
hall, amid the Ginning of bells and tn
plaudits Of the people, the procession
moved slowly without stopping up tn
main aisle. and halted at the large Coz
liss engine. All being 10 readiness
President Grant aud viscount Dom Pc
dro grasped the handles of the actin
valves, and at a concerted movemer
turned them. After a slight Kissing c
steam the huge walking beam was see
slowly to move, and gathering momentum
the ponderous engine Was soon 10 fu
play. Immediately all the machinery i
the vast hall WAS in motion, aud the di
and elatter oi hundreds of machine.
!, usited with the music Of bands. an
ringing Of chimes. made it q confusio
Of sounds long TO be remembered. A
the sonolusion the Empress assisted