National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-09-03
BREAKING THE GROUND.
The President Dedicates the Ma
tiOnal Fair Grounds.
An Interesting Ceremony at Ivy City-A
Large Attendance of Prominent on
cials and Citizens-A Brief Adj
dress by Congressman Black
burn President Hayes
Turns the First Sod.
Defeating tho Fair Ground.

Threatening clouds overcast the sky yester-
day afternoon, but did not deter upward of
1000 people from putting in an appearance at
the grounds of the National Fair Association
at Ivy City to witness their dedication. The
Stewart mansion, situated on n hill overlook
ing the entire tract, was made the headquar-
ters for the committee and its guests
On the porch were seated President Hayes,
Commissioner Dent, Hon. j. @. s. Blackburn,
Hon. George NJ. Adams Clerk of the House
of Representatives; Major Twining, Engineer
of the District w. NJ. Gait, president of the
Fair Association w. b. Reed and Judge IL.
II. Blackburn, of the board of directors; w.
X. Rodgers, Secretary to the President, and
nearly all the prominent business men of
Washington. Carriages and wagons number.
ing many hundreds were parked about the
house, and the scene was very interesting
one. Tho Marine Band, stationed undor
largo oak troo, discoursed popular airs and
added greatly to the pleasure of the party.
BY o'clock nearly a thousand persons were
grouped about the house, and II was decided
that the dedicatory exercises should begin ut
once. Mr.. w. NJ. Gait introduced Hon. j. c.
S. Blackburn,
TIE ORATOR OF THE DAY,
and his address, teeming with good advice,
was listened to attentively. He said the OBJ
iects to be achieved By this fair were not to be
wrung from the people, but all should be de-,
sirous to join in honest and manly rivalry to
make it successful. Tho effort was not only
supported and sanctioned by the Chief Execu-
tive of the Nation, but its affairs had been on
trusted to the leading business men Of the Cap.
ital. Its establishment would bar all ques-
tions of State rivalry for II would be held on
neutral and common ground. Every citi-
zen of this great country had an interest
In its success, and all chickering's and disputes
should be frowned down. The country's
capital should become the country's PRIDE aud
every effort tending to beautify aud benefit it
should be encouraged. 1t should not be the
seat Of arbitrary power, but the home Of sover-
eign people of Independent States, aud should
be decorated and adorned in q more lavish
manner than the finest capitals in Europe. At
the conclusion of Nr. Backburns address u
new spade was handed him to present TO
PRESIDENT HAYES.
This duty was performed iu neat speech, in
which swords, ploughshares, spears and pruning
hooks were pleasantly blended, and the line of
march was taken up for the spot where the
first spadcful of dirt would be lifted. The
President, accompanied by Mr.. w. NJ. Calf and
escorted by all the spectators, proceeded to a
point about 100 feet from the house in south
crly direction, and halt was called. Presi-
Gait, said that this occasion reminded him
of similar one in ms own State. When a
young man, the first time he listened to pub
lie speaker was on the occasion of the dedica-
| ton of fair ground. The gentleman, who
was quite famous, told his hearers that as tho
day was warm and tho work hard he would
have to take OFF his coat to it. He did so, and
good judges said the job was well done. For
| himself he would prefer TO keep his coat on.
| The President then struck
THE SPADE INTO THE EAFTu,
aud giving IL two or three vigorous thrusts
with his left foot, obtained good lid spade
full. This he lifted and upset, remarkiug that
the land was not SO good as the black swamp
| farms near his own Western home. During
the performance of this ceremony the Marine
Band played lively air. and Tie
enthusiasm was intense. The party
then aiterward retraced their stops to the
house, where tho inner man was satisfied, mine
host Tenny, of the National Hotel, doing the
honors. No other ceremonies took place, and
the gathering dispersed about o'clock, wish.
ing the National Fair Association the fullest
| measure OF prosperity.