The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-18
Opening Of the Centennial.


The great American Centennial Exhibition
was formally opened on last Wednesday. tn.
10th inst. and business in Philadelphia wa
suspended. The gates of the Centennia
grounds were opened at nine o'clock. The for
eign Commission and other distinguished visi
tors had special entrance, and We're seated
without confusion. There were from SC, 900 II
100000 people on the grounds.
The ceremonies opened with airs of all ma
tions, under direction Of Theodore Thomas
prayer by Right Rev. Bishop Simpson; hymn
I by John Greenleaf Whittier; the presentation
of the buildings to the United States Centenni
al Commission, by Centennial Commissioner
John Welsh; cantata by Sidney Lanier. O
Georgia, and the presentation of the Exhibition
| to the President Of the United States by Jos
| r. Hawley.
| President Grant then addressed the vast null.
| titude, as follows:
| My Countrynsen 1t has been thought ap
propriate upon this Centennial occasion te
bring together in Philadelphia for popular in
spection specimens OF our attachments in the
industrial and fine arts, in literature, science
and philosophy, as well as in the great bust
ness of agriculture and of commerce, that we
may the more thoroughly appreciate the excel
lencies and deficiencies of our achievements,
and also give emphatic expression to our earn
est desire to cultivate the friendships of our
low-members of the 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. 10 this
they 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 this exhibition. We are glad TO know that
view of specimens of the skill of all nations
will afford to you unalloyed pleasure. as well
as yield valuable practical knowledge Of SO
many of the remarkable results of the wonder
full skill existing III enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was new
and but partially settled. Our necessities have
compelled us to chiefly expend our means and
time in telling forests. subdning prairies, build
ing dwellings, factories, ships, docks, ware
houses, roads. canals, machinery, etc.
Most of our schools, churches, libraries and
asylums have been established within hun
dred years. Burthened by these great primal
works of necessity, which could not be delayed
yet we have done, what this exhibition will
show, wonders in the direction of r;yaling old
er and the more advanced nations, in law,
medicine and theology; in science, literature,
philosophy and the fine arts. Whilst proud OF
what we have done, we regret that we have
not done more. Our achievements have been
great enough, however, to make it easy for our
people to acknowledge superior merit wher-
ever found. And now, fellow-citizens, hope
a careful examination of what is about to be
exhibited to you will not only inspire yoa with
a profound respect for the skill and taste
Of our frie.. DIS from other nations, but also sat
isfy you with the attainments made by our own
people during the past hundred years. I
invoke your generous cooperation with the |
worthy commissioners to secure brilian. sue |
cess to this International exhibition, and to |
make the stay of our foreign visitors-to whom
we extend q hearty Welcome-both profitable |
and pleasant to them. | declare the lnterna |
Lional Exhibition now open.
AT 1890 A. NJ. Dom Pedro was escorted to |
seat by General Hawley. At 1876 General |
Phillip Sheridan and wife passed over from
he building to the stand in front OF the Me-
mortal Hall. during the rendition of national |
airs. He was greeted with great applause.
He was closely followed by Hon. j. G. Blaine,
md Senator Jones Of Nevada, and wife. At
1855 the President entered through Memorial |
Hall, and was conducted to seat on the front
If the platform. Governor Hartranft, Gener-
Il Hawley, and Hon. d. J. Morrill, occupied |
eats on the left, while Mes.rs. John Welsh
md Goshorn were on his right.
At :03 O'Clock the Wagner Centennial In
luguration March was performed by the or-
,hestra, under the direction of Theodore
Thomas, and at its conclusion Bishop Tenny-
son offered up feryent prayer, during the
Of which the majority OF the vast
lssemhlage stood with uncovered heads.
The Empress Of Brazil, escorted by Mrs
Gillespie, visited the woman's pavilion This
lfternoon, and made a tour of all the aisles
md passages. There were no formalites as-
ending the visit. Dom Pedro also visited the
PAVILION. and gave emphatic approval of the
york displayed by American women.
One of the most impressive scenes of the
lay was when the President, assisted by Dom
Pedro, started the motive power of Machinery
Hall. At signal from General Hawley, the
President and the Emperor each seized
rank and opening the valves turned them
everal times. At once sound was heard
which gave the people to understand that the
ngne was about to move. Then the mon
trous seventy ton fy-wheel began slowly
moving, increasing gradually in rapidity until
/ was travelling at its full speed. General
Iawley started the hurrah, which was taken
p by the surrounding multitude. The deaf
ming echoes travelled through the building.
nd as all the wheels in the hall began moving,
he ringing of the bells and other demonsta-
ions told the world that the Centennial Ex-
osition was fairly opened.