The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-03
INDEPENDENCE HALL.
Interesting Centennial Cere-
monies Yesterday-Short Bio
graphical Sketches of the Sign
ers OF rhe Declaration.

PHILApEIpH1A, July 1.-The Centen-
nial July celebration was commenced to-
day, by grand demonstration in indie
pendence Hall and Independence Square.
The opening exercises Of the day were
held in Independence Hall, commencing
at ll:30 o'clock, under the direction Of
the Committee on Restoration. AT the
hour named, prominent literary gentle-
men assembled in the historic room, each
depoSiting short biographical sketch OF
one OF the signers or other prominent
Revolutionary patriot. The gentlemen
invited to participate in this interesting
affair had come together in the Museum,
Immediately opposite Independence Hall
at II o'clock. They we're received by the
ladies Of the committeesin charge OF the
Museum, and thence escorted to the Hall,
where they.were Welcomed by His Honor
Mayor stokely, in q short and iappropri-
ate address.
The assemblage was next addressed by
Colonel Frank NJ. Etting, Chairman Of
the Committee on Resolutions Of indie
pendenee Halk z -. -. : ; - =, =.
Prayer was offered BY ReY. White
Brown. At the conclusion Of the Rev.
Mr.. Browns prayer, Whittier's @Centen-
nial Hymn" as sung on the opening OF the
Centennial Exposition, May 10, was sung
by . chorus offilty voiceAI f.''A. -
The names of the authors were then
called, when each one stepped to the Ia
bic and deposited sketch, after which
the assemblage were escorted, 10 seats on
the platform in Che square. Among the
authors Contributing sketches were ex-
Gov. John A. Dix, Thos. W. Higginson,
John Esten Cook, Benson j. Losing,
Robert c. Winthrop, John W. Forney
and Charles Francis Adams. eslDf
The exercises in fhdependence sdusirte
commenced at 1890. The platform was
crowded with invited guests, and the
square in front OF the platform with q
very large audience. The exercises opened
with the performance of Helfrich's Gen.
tennial Triumph and March by the mil
itary band Of the Centennial Musical As
sociation. John William Wallace, E1.,
President of the HISTORICAL Society. Of
Pennsylvania, waA then. introduced by
Mayor stOkeley, al tlie "pftsiding officer
Of the OCCASION it5I = IL T,ft'.
Mr.. Wallace, on taking the chair, de-
liyered a brief address, snitable 10 the
occasion. A chorus Of four hundred
voices next sang Whittier's Centennial
Hymn. The President then, introduced
to the audience William V. McKeaD, ESQ.,
Editor Of The Public Ledge, who proceed.
ed to deliver 4 lengthy address, In which
hevieWed deliberately the great historical
event in commemoration Of which the
ceremonies Of to-day were held.ro
After music by the band, Hon. LeSerett
Saltonstall OF Massachusetts, addressed
the audience.
Addresses were also delivered by Gov.
ernor Henry Hppitt, Of Rhode Island,
General DePuyster, President Of the New
York Historical Society, and Benz. Harris
Brewster. Three Centennial odes were
sungby the chorus. The remainder OF
the programme embraces addresses by
Congressman L. Q. O. Lamar, Of MiSsis-
sippi; and also, II Is expected, by Senator
John B. Gordon, Of Georgia. General
Winfield s. Hancock, and Hon. Joel
Parker, Ex-Governor Of New Jersey.
The weather to-day Is delightful w