The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-05-18

further to the right were the seats o.
| United States Senators, members OF
House Of Representatives, the Govern
orS OF the various States, with their
staffs, the Governor of PENNSYLVANIA and
state officers, the State Supreme Court
and the Legislature, and representatives OF
the army and navy, the Smithsonian Insti-
tuse, United States Judges, officers of the
Executive office and the bureaus and mem
oers oi the Woman's Centennial Committee
0n the left of the center were the seats of the
ohlted States Supreme Court, and further to
| the lett the seats of members of the Dplo-
matte Corps and members of the Centennial
commission, the Board of Finance, the
| Woman's Executive Committee, Foreign
Commissioners, the Mayor Council and
other officials OF Philadelphia, Mayors OF
other cities, State Centennial Boards, the
| Board of Award, and along the front of the
platform were seated the members cf the
press.
| The orchestra of $50 pieces and a chorus
| Of LOCO voices, under the direction of Theo.
| dore Thomas and Dudley Buck, were sta
toned directly in front of the platform, at the
| side Of the Main Building.
! 1he platform was at once crowded and
all the surrounding space and all the availa-
"a
mad been already occupied by crowds of visi-
| tors.
The orchestra, while the seats were being
secured, played National airs, and after the
party on the platform had arranged them
selves, played Wagner's Centennial March,
which was received with applause
After the opening prayer, by Bishop Simp-
son, OF the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the singing of Whittier's Centennial Hymn
the presentation of the buildings took place,
the Board of Finance, with appropriate
speeches and ceremonials, turning over the
buildings to the Commission.
The Centennial HYMN, written for the oc-
casion by John G. Whittier, is as follows:
Our fathers God. from ont whose hand
The centuries fall like grains Of sand,
We meet to-day, united, free,
And loyal to our land and Thee,
To thank Thee for the era done,
And trust Thee for the opening one.
Here, where of old, by Thy design,
The fathers spake that word of Thine
Whose echo is the glad refrain
Of rended bolt and falling chain,
To grace our festal time from all
The zones of earth our guests we call
Be with us while the New World ereets
The Old World thronging all its streets,
Unveiling all the triumphs won
By art or toll beneath the sun;
And unto common good ordain
This rivalship of hand and brain
Thou who hast here in concord furlec
The war flags of a gathered world,
Beneath our western skies fulfill
The Orients mission of good will,
And freighted with Loves golden fleece,
Send back its Argonauts OF peace.
For art and labor met in truce,
For beauty made the bride of use,
We thank Thee; but. withal we crave
The austere virtues strong to save,
The honor proof to place or gold,
The manhood never bought nor sold
On! make Thou us, through centuries long,
In peace secure, III Justice strong;
Around our gift of freedom draw
The safeguards of Thy righteous law;
And, cast in some diviner mold
Let the new cycle shame the old
Next followed the singing of Sidney Lam
ier's csntata by full chorus, accompanied
by the orchestra. The applause Of the vast
crowd was enthusiastic, and portions Of the
music were enCOred.
The presentation of the Exhibition to the
President of the United States by President
Hawley, of the United States Commission,
tlfen followed, Gen. Hawley concluding his
remarks as follows:
On July 4, 1873, this ground was dedicated to
Its present uses. Twcnty-one months ago this
Memorial Hall was begun; all the other 1S0
buildings within the enclosure have been erected
within twelve months all the buildings en-
braced in the plans of the Commission itself are
finished. The demands of the applicants exceed
the space, and strenuous and continuous efforts
have been made 10 get every exhibit ready in
time. By general consent, the Exhibition was
appropriately held III the City of Brotherly Love.
Yonder, almost within your view, stands the
venerated ediice wherein occurred the event
which this work is designed to commemorate,
and the hall in which the first Centennial Con-
gress assembled. Within the present limits of
this great park were the homes of the eminent
patriots of that era; where Washington and
his associates received generous hospitality
and able counsel. 1t has
been the iervent hope of the Commission that
during this festival year the people from all States
and sections, of all creeds and churches, all par
ties and classes, burying all rescntments, would
come up together to this birthplace of Liberty,
to study the evidence of our resources, 10 meas
ure the progress of a hundred years, and TO exam
inc to our profit The wonderful products of other
lands, but especially to join hands in perfect fra
ternity and promise to the God OF our fathers that
the new century shall surpsss the old in the
true glories of eiviiiza' ion; and, Furthermore,
that from the association here of welcome visi-
tors from all nations there may result not alone
great benefits to invention, manufactures, agri-
culture, trade and commerce, but also stronger
International friendships and more lasting peace.
Thus reporting to you, Mr.. President, under
the laws of the Government and the usage of
similar occasions, in the name of the United
States Centennial Commission, | present to your
view the international Exhibition of 1876
When President Grant rose to respond, he
was treated with enthusiastic and long con
tinued applause. He then read his response,
as follows:
1t has been thought appropriate upon this Cen
tennial occasion to bring together in Philadel-
phia for popular inspection, specimens of our at
tainments in the industrial and fine arts, and in
literature, science and philosophy, as well
as in the great business OF agriculture
and of Of H. commerce, commerce, that we may 1 more 9
fiCicncies Of our achievements, and also give
an emphatic expression to our earnest desire
to cultivate the friendship of our fellow-mem-
Of tAi fan flt nf nti1nG
lig htened agricultural, commercial and manu-.
people of the world have been invited
to send hither corresponding specimens of their
skill, to exhibit equal terms, in friendly com
petition with our own. To this invitation they
have generously responded, and for 20 doing we
render them our hearty thanks. The beauty and
utility of the competitions will this day be sub
mitted to your inspection by the managers of this
Exhibition. We are glad 20 know that view of
the specimens Of the skill Of all nations will afford
You va na0ysq as ws
of the remarkable results of the wonderful
skill existing in enlightened communities.
One hundred years ago our country was
new and but partially settled. Our necessities
have compelled us to chiefly extend every means
and time in fellingrorests, subduing praries and
building dwellings, factories, ships, docks, ware
of our schools, churches, libraries and asylums
have been established within hundred years.
Burthened by these great primal works of
have done what this Exhibition will show IN
the direction of rvaling older and more ad-
yanced nations in law, medicine and theology, in
science, literature, philosophy and the fine arts.
While 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, wherever found; and now, fellow-citizens,
! hope careful examination of wHar is
about to be exhibited to you will not only
inspire you with profound respect for the skill
and taste of our friends from other nations, but
also satisfy you with the attainments made by
our people during the past 100 years l invoke
your generous cooperation with the worthy
TO secure brilliant success to
this International Exhibition; and to make the
stsy of our foreign visitors, 10 whom We extend
a hearty welcome, both profitable and pleasant
to them. l declare the International Exhibition
now open.
The close of the Presidents brief address
was followed by the raising of the flag on the
Main, Building, the signal that the Exhibition
was open. .. - D.
salutes were fred, bells commenced ring
ing and the chorus began singing Halleluiahi
The chimes commenced to ring various airs,
and the President and invited guests, amid
cheers from the crowd, began q procession
through the Main Building and Machinery
Hall. ~ ------.-
A Plea for the Birds.
Small boys with shot-guns will soon be
citx, ooupo;lc ord coIoofv,,o,, Gov