The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-10-28
CONGRESS
Hall Restored To Its Original
Appearance
Was Re-dGdiCatGd With Ex.
GfGisGS Today

Philadelphia, Pa, Oct. Historic
old Congress Hall, restored to some
thing like its original appearance, was
rededicated today with imposing cere-
monies and in the presence of most
distinguished company President
Wilson was the guest of honor at the
celebration. During the exercises he
occupied the same chair that John
Hancock sat in when he presided ov-
er Congress, and when the Declara-
ton OF Independence was signed. I'm
til today the chair had not been used
since President Grant sat in it IN 1876
President Wilson, while the central
figure and principal speaker of the
day, was not the only notable partici-
pant in the programme. The nation
al and local appreciation of the sig
nificance of the restoration and re-
opening of the old hall where Con-
gress held it's sessions during the
young life of the republic was abun-
dainty proved by the presence at the
exercises, of cabinet members, for
eign diplomats, senators and repre-
sentatives, governors or other officials
representatives of the thirteen orig
inal States, delegations from patriotic
societies, high army and naval Off
GERS, and long list of distinguished
men and women.
President Wilson arrived in the city
from Washington a few minutes after
l o'clock this afternoon. A commit
tee escorted him to the Bellevue
Stratford, where a private reception
was held. An hour later he proceed
ed to the site of the restored building
at Sixth ard Chestnut streets. The
feature of the programme was made
the occasion for a parade of military
and other organizations.
The programme carried out at the
rededication exercises was as follows
Opening prayer by the chaplain OF
the national house of representatives
brief statement of the restoration
of the old building by Frank Miles
Day the delivery of the building to
the city by John Hall Rankin, presi-
dent of the Philadelphia chapter of
the American Institute of Architects;
the acceptance by Mayor Blanken-
burg grafton by Speaker Champ
Clark; address by the President OF the
United States, and benediction by the
chaplain of the United States senate
The literary exercises were inter
spersed by musical features furnish
ed by several military bands and a
male chorus of 100 voices. After the
invocation the chorus sang Hail
Columbia the national anthem writ
ten in Philadelphia, and first sung
here within stones throw of Con
gress Hall in 1898. At the conclusion
of the ceremonies in the hall, and as
the procession of invited guests
marched from the nall TO lndepend
ence Hall, the band played Tho Star
Spangled Banner" At the same time
national salute was being fired by
squadron of United States warships
stationed in the Delaware River op
posite the city.
Although the statehouse, or Inde
pendence Hall, has been the recogniz
ed Mecca of patriotic Americans, il
is doubtful if the majority of citizens
realize the unique historical interest
possessed by the whole group oi
buildings of independence Square, es
pecially the building restored and re
opened today.
| To the last three generations OLE
| Congress Hall was known at the ole