The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-05-25
THE CENTENNIAL OPENING.
Scenes and Incidents Of the Great Day
Phfladelphia.

HE OENIENNlAL UfENINU.
Scenes and Incidents Of the Great Day at
Philadelphia.
From the Chicago Tribune Especial Telegram. ]
Irv PHILADELPHIA,. May 1Q,zInFythe
fInemoTy Of every citizen of Philadel-
phia this day will remain forever green,
and also red, white and blue, for never
4 hbas,there been such display of fbunt-
\ ing along her streets on this 10tf-of
May. For miles and miles, from house
tops, from windows, and in windows,
from doorways and car roofs, and even
from the heads of numberless horses,
our national standard has been dis
played. 1t is safe to say that tonight
every Philadelphian might sleep in n
starry and stripY manner and have seY-
eral thousand to spare. .-.-
MoRNINe DAMNED iNAUSiacIoUsEY,
has the rain was falling, and promised
to do so continually. But, soon after
o'clock, the clouds broke, and by 8 the
sun was shining. Every possible horse
and steam conveyance was IN requisi-
ton. The street-cars were crowded
like herring boxes, and for hours they
followed each other with great rapidity.
tUarriages, hacks, breaks, and wagon
cites did fine business. Butcher carts,
furniture-cars, and baggage vans were
fitted with temporary seats, and, IN one
instance, the owner of a secondhand
hearse turned it to profit by removing
its top and inserting seats for four per-
sons. -' - 49,. o. p --'-- -
Soon after the invited guests began
! to arrive, and, before 10 O'Clock theplat-
form was full Rarely hasthere been In
America such
AN ARRAY OF HEAVY swELLS,
where the public could look at them.
as there was to-day. The holding ca
pacity of the platform had been over
estimated, so that it'was a crush there
rs every where else. Secretary Fish ell
bowed the Austrian minister, and Gen..
Sheridan stepped on the toe of the
Turkish Ambassador. Judge Pierre
/ pont shared chair with the French
Minister, and there was whole row of
Presidential candidates on single set
tee. There were officials enough to
stock half a dozen Governments liber-
ally and then have fifteen present to
spare. The list of invited guests, begin
I ming with President Grant and ending
with, Cyrus w. Field, makes two col
umns of solid nOnpareil in an evening
paper, so please excuse details.
The invited.guests mounted the plat
form. There was some decorous cheer
ing whenever yof them were recog-
nized. The most applause was given to
THE EMPEROR OF BRAZIL,
who happened to arrive just as the
orchestra played the Brazilian hymn.
Those whose acquaintance with kingly
dress is limited to that on the ordinary
playing-card, were somewhat disap-
pointed to find that his Majesty wore
only plain suit, and was as devoid of
ornament as freight-car. He was in
troduced to several of his fellOw-digni-
taries, and gracefully accepted COM
mon chair, such as may be found in
many American bar-rooms and lecture
halls. The national airs by the orchestra
! formed pleasing amusement, and serv-
ed to occupy the time until '---f @
THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT,
which was, of course, the occasion of
much cheering. Every body became
Silent, or reasonably so, during the
prayer of Bishop Simpson, and the other
features of the programme, OF which the
Associated Press has doubtless given
YOU a full account.
Bishop Simpsons prayer was given
in loud and distinct voice, and so was
the address of Gen. Hawley.' Mr.. Welch
was not master of the situation, and
could not be heard very far, and the
voice of the President, who was evident
ly annoyed with his manuscript, was in
still lower key. As a professional
reader he is not likely to attain great
renown. The assemblage became some
what disorderly during this part of the
programme, but -' - - 2
BROKE INTO A WILD CHEER e.
when the President ended his address
by declaring that the Exhibition was
Iopen. 1t was Just II O'Clock, or, very
near it, when the flag was run up, and
the great event of the year had its be-
ginning. Almost. Immediately the as
semblage began to disperse, and the
, dignitaries to leave the platform for the
procession through the buildings.
THE MUSIC. -..
The musical part of the programme
elected universal praise. Whittier
hymn was magnifcently rendered, ant
the effect was majestic. Words anc
: music were well adapted to each other
and in the hands of an excellent chorus
, and orchestra under the baton of Theo
dore Thomas, they doubtless surpassed
the expectations of their composer Tht
cantata by Lanier, with Dudley Buck
music, was equally fine both in compO
sition and rendering, and the splendiC
basso, Whitney, received the well-de
served honor of an encore. The spec
tacular effect of the orchestra and chorus
in full sunlight was decidedly striking
; as MANY of the feminine singers had al
angelic and, sometimes, ghostly white
ness.
CoURT-DRESsEs AND UNIFORMS
! appeared in profusion. Prominent up
on the left might be seen the Japanes
g Commissioners, looking strangely on
: of place in their stiff military closet but
toned black and red coats, gilt-buttons
and white sashes. The Turkish Com
missioners wore the customary red fez
Their coats were lavishly adorned wit
$ gold lace. The Egyptian Commission
! ers were even more gorgeously dressed
4 The Chief of the Commission wore
:, yellow turban with tassels, a super
e purple velvet cloak over his shoulders
: and silk blouse and scarf, embroider
: ed with gold upon a blood-red ground
: Then there were the Spanish and Frencl
: Ministers, and a cloud of fancifull
t dressed foreign officers. Dom Pedr
e was recognized by the crowd immedi
n ately, though in plain clothes. Tn
e Empress was not so easily distinguish
e ed. She was richly dressed in lavende
d silk, white satin hat trimmed with whit
+ flowers, and delicate lace shawl owe
y her shoulders. Her female attendant
d were even more brilliantly attired, an
= fairly blazed with diamonds, richly co
, ored silks, and grand feathers
n VIEWING THE EXHIBITION.
e During the singing the Foreign Con
:. missioners filed of from the platforr
5 to the main building and took up thei
NJ