Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-12
CENTENNIAL.

| The weather for the opening ceremonies
was not propitious, though the rain gaE'
out about ten o'clock. The affair is repre-
sented as decided success. Crowds filled
the grounds and the streets and public
places were alive. They were numbered b.
hundreds Of thousands. The bells rang
guns were fired and flags and banners and
decorations were magnificent. The militia
~ procession formed at 9 O'Clock and es
scorted the President from his hotel to the
platform in front Of Memorial Hall, whert
the exercises began with grand concert
of national airs by the orchestra Of 10C
performers, led by Theodore Thomas. Thi;
was followed by Wagner's Centennial In.
augurati0n March and prayer by Bishop
Simpson. Whittier's hymn was sung by a
chorus of 600 voices, with organ and or
chestral Accomplishments. The buildings
were formally presented to the President Of
the United States by the Centennial Com
mission. This ceremony was followed by
an address by the President. The Presi-
dent said:
..AfY CouSrRYMEx: 1t has been thought
appropriate upon this Centennial occasion
to bring together in Philadelphia for popu-
! lar exhibition specimens Of attainments in
the Industrial and fine arts, and in litera-
ture, science, and philosophy as well as the
great business Of agriculture and Of COM
merce, that we may more thoroughly ap-
/ - lnfio foc
of our achieyments, and also give an en-
phatic expression to our earnest desire to
cultivate the friendship of our fellow MEM
bers of this great family Of nations. The
enlightened agricultural, commercial and
manufacturing 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 they have
generously responded, and for SO doing we
render them our hearty thanks. The
beauty and utility of the contributions will
this day be submitted to your inspection by
the managers of the exhibition. We are
glad to know that view of the specimens
of skill of all nations will afford to you
unalloyed pleasure, as well as yield to you
valuable practical knowledge. Of the re-
markable results in the Centennial grounds. 81
At the conclusion of these exercises
members Of foreign Legations and other
distinguished guests, followed by the pub
lie, entered the main building, the foreign
ministers and their suites taking position
in front Of their respective national de-
partments. These distinguished persons
were soon followed by President Grant and
party. President Grant escorted the En-
press of Brazil, and Dom Pedro, Mrs.
Grant. The party, accompanied by Gov
ernor Hartranft, President Welsh, Secre-
tary Fish and Colonel Asche. The Presi-
dental party inspected the whole building
and saluting the foreign ministers and
commissioners while passing before each
foreign department. During the passage
of the Presidential party through the
building the crowd increased to such an
extent that the nave had to, be cleared by
troops. After viewing the main building,
the procession passed over to Machinery
Hall, where the great steam engine was
set in motion by the President After in
specting Machinery Hall the President pro-
ceeded to the judges pavilion, where he
held public reception. The exercises
were carried out very satisfactorily, moth
ing happened to mar the ceremonies. The
cash receipts at the gates for the day were
over $50, LOCO. rs7.Is.5 ..Iyss.i pog
The following is the speech Of JOsephiJ.
Hawley, president Of the Centennial com
mission, made in presentation of the exhi-
hilton to the President of the U. 81 liza s
Mr.. PREsDENT. Five years ago the.
President of the United States declared It.
fitting that the completion of the first CEN
tury OF our national existence should be
eommemorated by an exhibition Of the ma
tiolal resources Of the country and their
Development. and Of its progress in those
arts which benefit mankind, and ordered
that an exhibition of American and foreign
arts, products, and manufactures should
be held under the auspices Of the Govern
ment Of the United States, in the city of
Rhiladelphia, in the year 1915. To put
into effect the several laws relating to the
exhibition, the United States Centennial
Commission was constituted, composed of
two commissioners from each State and
Territory. nominated by theirErespeetiye
Governors and appointed by the President.
Congress also created an auxiliary and as
sociate corporation, the Centennial Board.
Of Finance, whose unexpectedly heavy bur
den has been nObly borne.yi A remarkable
and prolonged disturbance Of the finances
and Industries Of the, country has greatly
magnified the task, but we hope for a, ia
vorable Judgment Of the degree Of success
On July 4th, 1873; this ground
was dedicated to its present use. Twenty
one months ago this Memorial Hall was be- |
gun. All the other one hundred and
eighty buildings within enclosure, have /
been erected within twelve months. All |
the buildings embraced in the plans Of the /
commission itself, are finished. TheGde- |
nands Of applicants exceeded the space.
and strenuous and continuous efforts have |
been made to get every exhibit ready in /
ime, By general consent the exhibitfoh 4
S appropriately held in the City of Broth /
arly Love. Yonder, almost within your
view, stands the venerated edifice wherein
occurred the event this work is designed to-
and the hail In which the
irSt Continental Congress assembled. |
Within: the present limits Of this great
park were the homes of eminent patriots
If that era, where Washington and his as
'oeiates received generous hospitality and
sble counsel, You have observed the sur
'assing beauty Of the situation placed st
,ur disposal lu harmony with all this fit
less Is the liberal support given the enter
lriss by the State, the city, and the people
Burthened by these great
private works Of necessity, which eould,l
lot be delayed, we yet have done what this
exhibition will show in the direction Of ri
ralihg older and more advanced nations in \
aW, medicine aud theology, in. science, lit
nature, philosophy Ind fine arts. Whilst
'roud OF what We have DONE we regret We
ave not done more, Our achievements
AVE been great enough, however, to make
teasy for our people t0s acknowledge su-
,srior merit wherever fennd. And now,
elloY. citizens, hope careful ezamina-il.
Ion, of what IS about to be exhibited to
'ou will not only inspire you with pro-
ound respect for the skill and taste of our
trends from other nations, but also satisfy
Iop With the attainments made by. our own
'eople during the past one hundred, years.
mYoke your generous cooperation With
ne worthy commissioners to secure a bril- 4
isnt snccess to this international Exhlbi-
Ion, ana 70 make the stay Of our fopeiga +
Ilsltorss 70 whom we extend hearty wei l.
ome, both profitable and pleasant TO them.
declare the International Exhibition now
pen. ST. voc lfd inHi HONSaJ /.
After the cermonies atthe Centennial
rounds this afternoon, Governors HART
anft, OF Pennsylvania, Bedele, of New
ersey, Carroll, Of Maryland, and, OF Mas
achusetts, visited the buildings erected bv |
heir States respectively and held informal
eceptions, s5eIi sdi la sboisiI8 la
Thg illumination in the cityAt-nielit was
q grand scale. The State House building
as the great centre Of attraction, and at