The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-01
AT THE sUs-TREASURY.
The Literary Exercises Attract {
Ihrong Which Packs the Streets.


NEW YORK, April 3O.-In front of the plat
form of the sub-treasury building, where
the literary exercises connected with the
centennial took place, a sea of heads greeted
the eye, and all about the spot from Broad
way to Williams street, and as far as one
could see down Broad street, an eager
throngng crowd was packed. While the
services in st. Paul's chapel were being held
the Twenty-Second Regiment Band under
the leadership of Patrick S. Gilmore, gave a
concert at the sub-treasury. The band be-
gan the programme about o'clock and con-
tinued until the literary exercises COM
menced. President Harrison and his party
were due at 10 o'clock. 1t was but little
later when they arrived. AS the Presidents
carriage passed along the crowed thorough
fare the waiting multitudes on the sidewalks
cheered again and again until his way
seemed to be a triumphal procession, greeted
with one prolonged roar of cheers. The
Presidents reception at the sub-treaSury was
most enthusiastic; During the playing Of
"Hail to the Chief" the President alighted
and was escorted to a seat on the platform.
The members of his cabinet grouped them
selves about him and the other invited
guests were seated near.
The ceremonies opened very shortly after
10 O'Clock Elbridge 7. Gerry, chairman of
the committee on literary exercises, speak
ing briefly Rev. DIR. Storrs then offered an
impressive prayer. Following the prayer
came the centennial poem written by the
venerable John g. Whittier, and the Grafton
delivered by the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew.
The poem was read by Clarence w. Bowen.
AS Mr.. Depew stepped forward 10 speak he
was greeted by generous burst of applause
and 1t was some minutes before he could be-
gin. He spoke in a clear, loud voice, and
could De distinctly heard by the vast throng
of people.
President Harrison next made a short ad-
dress. His reception by the spectators was
most enthusiastic. The crowd cheered wild
ly. When silence was finally gained the
President said:
''Fellow Citizens,-M task today is of a
very exacting character, and makes it quite
impossible that l should deliver an address
upon this occasion. Forseeing this, early
notified your committee that the programme
must contain no address by me. The selec-
ton OF Mr.. Depew as orator of this occasion,
made further speech not only difficnlt but
superfluous. Applause.
he has met the demand of this great oc-
casion on its own high level. He has brought
before us incidents and lessons of the first
Inauguration of Washington. We seem to
have been part of that admiring and almost
worshipping throng that filled these streets
100 years ago. We have come into the seri-
GUS, but always inspiring presence of Wash
jngton. [ApplauseI He was the incarna-
tion of duty. He teaches us today great les
sons. Those who would associate their
names with events that shall outlive the
century can only do so by high conservation
to duty. [Applausel Self-seeking has no
public observance or anniversary Wash
ington seemed to come to discharge the du-
ties of his high place impressed with a sense
of his unfamiliarity with these new calls
upon him, modest, doubtful of his own abil-
ity and trusting implicitly in the sustaining
helpfullness and grace of that God who rules
the world. presides in the councils Of ma
tions, and is able to supply every human de-
mand."
''We have made marvellous progress in
material things, but the stately and enduring
shaft at the national capital at Washington
symbolizes that he is yet the first American
citizen" [Applause.]
The President occupied but five minutes
in delivering his speech. When the Presi-
dent ceased speaking the benedlction was
pronounced by Most Rev. Michael Corrigan.
Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York
At the conclusion of the literary exercises
the President, members of the cabinet. the
chief justice and associate justices of the
United States and others of the Presidential
party, who came from st. Pauls chapel, en-
tered their carriages and were driven to
Broadway to the reviewing stand in Madison
square.