The San Francisco call., 1896-07-23
Happy Expressions Repeatedly
Drowned in the Popular
Tumult.
A vERITABLE RED.LETTER DAY
President Cleveland Congratulates
ohio's Beautiful city-John D.
Rockefeller's Gift.

CLEVELAND, ONO, July 22.-The cele-
bration of the founding of Cleveland 100
years ago began at midnight by centen-
NAL salute of 100 guns, which was re-
enforced by the screeching of steam
whistles, the ringing of bells and the ex-
plosion of fireworks. The National salute
was fired at half-past 5, and the citizens of
Cleveland, as well as 10000 strangers
within its gates, gave up all thought of
slumber and turned out to celebrate.
The speech making programme was
elaborate. The exercises took place IN the
great armory where the recent Methodist
conference was held. Mayor McKisson
delivered an address of welcome, and after
some remarks by James II. Hoyt, Senator
Joseph r. HawIey of Connecticut was In
troduced. He delivered the oration of the
day.
Ex-Governor Mckinley was one of the
distinguished guests and occupied front
seat on the platform during the exercises.
President Cleveland sent the following
message, which was read by James n.
Hoyt:
I congratulate the citizens of Cleveland
upon the close OF her first centennial and wish
it may be only the beginning of her greatness
and prosperity.
The dispatch was warmly applauded.
A centennial ode, written for the oeca-
sion by Colonel J. ]. Platt, was read, and
then Governor Coffin of Connecticut spoke
briefly in historical vein.
]. G. W. Cowles of Cleveland announced
that John D. Rockefeller authorized him
10 say that he offered as a gift to the
people of Cleveland 276 acres of land for
park purposes, valued at more than
S6Oo,o0o The gift was accepted. and the
park will bear Rockefeller's name The
announcement of this handsome gift was
enthusiastically cheered.
Governor Bushnell made short speech
OF welcome to the Connecticut and other
Eastern guests and was followed by Major
Mckinley. He was greeted with tumul-
tuous outburst of applause. Mr. Hoyt
introduced him as the next President
Major Mckinley said in part:
Mr. President and my fellow-citizens: The
people of Cleveland do we1l to celebrate the
hundredth anniversary of their great and
beautiful city. On this day we pause for a
retrospect. Our history is beginning to have
age: Cleveland is 100 years old to-day. Its
original builders long since gone, and
their mighty struggles are passing from indi-
and history.
Anniversaries like this increase our pride of
the men who wrought so excellently in spite
of the trials and hardships from which the
present generation would intuitively shrink
The observation of an anniversary like this,
seriously and with reflection. does all who are
associated with it or come within its influence
positive good. 1t welds the present and past
and emphasizes the ties of home and family
and country. 1t encourages civic pride and
appeals to the highest and best sentiments of
our hearts and lives.
Major Mckinley then reviewed Cleve-
land statisticaIly aud dwelt with pride on
her achievements. He spoke feelingly of
the pioneers who founded the city 100
years ago, and in closing. said:
This work bears the impress of the sturdy
manhood OF the pioneer who feared God an6
loved liberty. tApplause.l He stands as the
representative of great age and great civiliza-
ton, "the sturdiest oak in the great forest of
mankind [Applause.l Like the peak which
first catches the morning light is the grand
monarch of the hills, SO the sturdy pioneer who
struck the first blow for freedom is the grand
monarch OF our civilization. [Great Applause
Let me commend to you their precious ex-
ample. 1t is richer than titles or ROYALTY.
tApplausel God grant that the fires of liberty
which they kindled, that the respect for law and
OIoeF WHICH tney lnculceteQ, tnat the, freedom
of conscience and religious liberty which they
taught, and which found expression in the
constitution of the United States, that the
public credit and honor which they established
cas- most important source of our strength
and security" that the fervent and self-sacri
fcing devotion to our splendid free institu
tions which were ever the animation and con.
trolling purposes of their natures, be as ever
dear to the people of this and succeeding gener
ations as they were 70 them. [Applause.l
After the exercises at ths armorv re.
ception was given Major Mckinley at the
Holienden Hotel by the Loyal Legion.
About 2:30 O'Clock an imposing military
and civic parade got under way, and en-.
tertained the Cleveland people and thei,
visitors the rest Of the afternoon.
Governor Mckinley rode in carriage
near the head of the procession, and for
him 1t was triumphal procession through
the streets OF Cleveland. The whole cele-
bration seemed suddenly turned into a
monster, earnest and tremendously en-.
thusiastic Mckinley demonstration. The
ringing music of Iusty cheers and cordial
applause did not die out from the moment
Major Mckinley stepped into his carriage
until he drove away at dusk to meet q
dinner engagement.
Tonight there was grand illuminated
pageant, with spectacular representation
illustrating the first century of Cleveland
development. Scores of floats, UNIQUE in
design and beautiful in conception, were
in line, and Progress was the central
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