A Grand Celebration

Toe last centennial of the events of revolutionury times began in l'liiladelphia on the 15th inst, viz : that of tbe constitutional centennial. Visitors were present from every state aud territory, and many guests from foreign lanas joined with us in commemoratiag the one hundredth nmiirarsary of the signing of out Magna Charta. Shortly after 10 o'clock on the morn-iug of the 15th, the grand procession started, and tbe scène at the reviewing gtand was a grand one, the gay toilet of the ladies and children adding beauty to the mag niöcent decorations. The constitutional centennial commission was ofticially representad on the grand stand by fion. John A. Kasson, president; Uon. Amos It. I ittla. chairman of the executive committee; Hampton h. Carsou, secretary; F. Carroll Brewster, Jr., corresponding secretary, and assistant secretary Black. The central portion of the stand was reserved for tho governors of the states with their - tnlTs. On this stand were also senators and representativos in congress, the cutnmissioners of tbe various staten and territorios, 33 of whom were present, the diplomatic corpa, the foreign consuls, and especially invited guest of the conimission. Section B containeJ distinguished visitors. Tbe monster civic and industrial parade, illustruting the advancement of the industrial arts and sciences during the past century, it is believed, f airly eclipsed anytbing of the kiud ever known. There were in the line 3J0 floats, each bearing representation of some particular branch of industry, 12.0 X) men, 3,000 horses and l.r0 bands of music. At the head of the column rode Col. A. I.oudeu Snqwden. chief marshal, and his staff of 50 aids. Directly behind tnem was the United btates marine band, and followed by a grand banner, representing Columbia pointing to the past with one hand, and with the other to the present, the tonner being represen ted by old implements and tbelatter by thoseof to-day. The display from this point was divided into ' 3 di visions. The honor of heading tbe tirst división was giveh to the Sons of America, who presented a beau tif ui display. Amid the gay holiday attire of the streets there was notning more ounspicuous and artistic than the three triumphal relies than spanned Broad and (.'hestnutsts. The Broad-st. arcli was almost opposite the main reviewing stand, which was occupied by tbe president and his party. It was tíO leet high, springing from each curb; of plain sein i circular for m and seginented on the south side with illuminat d shields of the 3i states, and on the north witb tbe names of tbe states, the shield and name of each being back to back. The 13 original states occupied the midrlle position of the group, and the otheis were placed alongside in the order in which tbey carne into the union. Surmounting the arch was a mammoth device consist ing of an American eagle and a stand of national colora. In theeveningGov. Beaverheld a public reception at the academy of fine arts and shoolt hands with fully 15,000 people, among whom was President Cleveland, Kx-President Hayes and Ben. Sheridan. The meeting betweon Goy. Beaver and President Cleveland was singular. y cordial. The Catholic club teudered a reception to Cardinal Gibbons, which was attended by a largo concourse of prominent people. chief among which were President Cleveland, Secretarios Bayard and Falrchild. When the president and Cardinal Gibbons grasped hands the crowd cheered lustilv. The next mqrning, the UJth, about '.■ o'clock the president' escort reached the hotel, and a few minutes later started for the commercial exchange, where a reception was beid. The line of in arch was lit erally thronged with people who cheered lustily as the prosidestial party passed, and the arrival of the party in tbe exchange was tbe signal for repeated cheering. President Comly of the commercial ex change, introduced the president, who said: I amglad I have an opportunity to meet so large a representaron of the business men of Philadelphia. It is well that we should not entirely forget in the midst of our centennial jubilee that the aim and purpose of good government tend after all to the advancement of the material interests of the people, and tbe increase of their trade and cemmerce. The thought has sometimes occurred to m ■ that in the hurry and rush of business there might well be infused a little more patriotism than we are wont to see, and a little more recognition of the fact tbat a wnolesome I olitical sentiment is closely related not only to the general good, bnt to the general success of business. Of cours our citizens engaged in business, are quick to see the bearing of any policy which any government may adopt, as it effects their personal success and their accumulation. Kut I would like to see that broad snd patriotic sentiment among them which can see beyond their peculiar personal interests, and which can recognize the advancement of the entire country as an object for which they may well" stnve, even sometimes to the diminution of their constantly increasing protits. Must we always look for the polltical opinions of our business men precisely where their immediate pecuniary adyantage is foundf 1 know how vain it is to hope for the eradication of a selfish motive in all the affairs of life ; but I am remind ed that we celébrate to-day the triumph of patriotism over seliishness. Will anyone say that the concessions of the constitution were not well made, or tbat we are not to-day in tbe full enjoyïnent of the blessings resulting from a due regard for all the conflicting interests represented by the different state which uni ted a hundred years ago ! I believe the complete benefits promised to the people by our f orm of government can only be secured by an exercise of the same spirit of toleration for eaeh other's rigbts and interests in which it had its birth. This spirit will prevail when the business men of the country cultívate political thougut; when they cease to eschew partici pation in political action, and when such thougut and action are guided by better motives than pure'y selfish and exclusive benefit. I am of the opinión that there is no place in the country where such a condition can be so properly and successtuily maintained as nere, among the enlightened and enterprising business men of Philadelphia. After his speech Mr. Cleveland an nounced himself as being ready to meet the gentlemen present, and one by one they walked up tbe steps of the rostrum and grasped his hand, and ilion shook hands with Secretarios Hayanl and Fairchild, ex-President Hayes, ov. Beaver, Mayor Fitler, A. J. Drexel and Geo. W. Childs, who received with bim. After the reception tho presidential party drove to the reviewing stand at broad and Walnut streets, to witne-s the military parade. At the cloae of the exercises at tbe commercial excbange the city troop of cavalry came down Broad street, escorting President Cleveland, who occupied an open barouche with the chairman of tbe committee and Mayor lid win U. Fitler. Other carriages füled with distinguished guests followed. There was a continuous round of cheers as the president rode by and he bowed his acknowledments After salut ing the president the city troops proceeded down Broad street to take its place in the Êrocessioo. Just behind the president, iannibal llamlin walked arm-in arm with Donaldson. Then came Gov. Hill and staff of New York. All of thein were applauded. The president left bis carriage at the reviewing stand, wbere he occupied a beautifully carved mahogany cbair, and arqund bim sat Secretarios Bayard and Kaircuild, Gov. Hill and ex-President Hayes. Shortly after 11 Mrs. Cleveland appeared on the balcony of the Lafayette hotel, followed by Secretary Lamont and wifeand two or three guests. Mrs. Cleveland received an enthusiastic round of applause. A few minutes later Gen. Pbil Sheridan. mounted. came up the street at the head of the vast cavaicade of military, preceded by a suuad of mounted reserves. As he passed tbe reviewing stand the president arose and tipped his hat. It was one continuous round of huzzas. Behind Gen. Bheridan came the city troop of cavalry, and they presented a beautiful apjiearance. Admiral Luce rode at the head of the column of tbe naval turnout, and preceded the marine band. Following closely were the detacbment of marines from the north Atlantic squadron. They drew up 'company front" in front of the stand and broke into "eights," their evolutons bein ï models of precisión. The life-savini;ervice followed them with a prut t v display. Gov. Briggs, the venerable Delawarian, came up at the front of the l'elaware troopi. üen Sheridan, notwithstanding tbe plaudits of tbe multitude, rode erect, looking neither to the right nor left. As each platoon passed the president their commander gracefully ruised bis hat and saluted hlm, rece. ving in return a I ow of recognition. The end o. the parade was occupied by the Grand Army of tbe Hepublic, and as each post passed in front of the stand its commander gave a salute to the president and was recognized. Post '.' of Philadelphia carried in the center '21 of the flags captured by them during the war. They were a maas of tattered and torn colors, but they were honored by the spectators with cheers whose echo never seenied to die. In the evening again a reception was given tbe President and Mrs. Cleveland, j 10,OCO people attending. among the ber being Cardiiml Gibbons, Arcbbishop I Kyan, many foreign diplomáis, and the governors of New York, Ohio, Virginia, l'ennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, New Hnrapshlre ana raany other distinguishert Americans. The president in acknowledging thecordiality manifested made a brief speech, 'xpressins his pleasure at oeeing so many newspaper men present as it satisfied liim that they were not ■ oing mischievous work elsewhere. As the president retired tlie v. ee club snmr : "l'or he's a jolly good fe !w." On the raorning of the 17th Praddent Cleveland was ' 'at home" to the peop.e for an hour and a half, in the commissioner's room in the city hall. He was accompanied by Secretarles bavard and FairchUd. There were fullv -JU.iXJO people waiting, not one-third of wlioni succeeded in greeting the president. At the close of this reception the presidential party were driven to Independeuce square where a memorial meeting was held. On the stand at the square was represented every branch and condition in life which got' to make up a nation. Knie by side wen the ohief magistrate, the highest ecclesinstical representatives, the justiees of the highest law tribunal, the ministers of foreign powers, the uationallawmakers and representatives of the army and navy and other departments of oivfl. military and religieus life. The stand in rear of old historical hall had a seating capacity of about 1,000, and was Ulied early. At the front of the stand faeing mutli a clearance was railed of for the president and his party, the speaker and others. At the front, in full view, hung a photographic copy of the original coust itution. At the east side of the stand stood the cjuaint old high-backed chair occupied by Ueorgo Washington as the presiding officer of Hie congress which adopte 1 that constitution. The exercises were opened by singing by the children's chorus of :2,l00 voices, led by 800 male voices. Bishop Potter made the opening prayer, and when it was finished I.ieut.-tien. Philip II. isharidan. with his aides, followed Ciosely by Cardinal lü. bons, Archbisho Kyan ani a number of ( atholic clergy, marched down the aiile, cheered to the echo. When tbey bad been seated the Uon. John A. Kasson, rs president of the constitutional centennial commission, made the introductor1 address of the day. At the conclusión the chorus sang "Appeal to Truth," by Schiller-Mendelssobn, with beautiful effect, after which the president bagan his nddress. His enunciation was clear and pen eet and his voice rang out audibly to thfl tliou iimla of ears. President Cleveland congratulated all present upon the fact that they are American citizens. He dissorted upon the diliiculties of the way traversed by the framers of the constitution, declaring that since ita completion the (!od of nations has held the rising sun of the new people on it course, and though occasionally obscured by clouds and storins, has made the people humble, it lias shono forth with renewed warmth to light the world- anew miracle of creation Before the echo of his wordg had died away there was cheering which was fairly deafening. When quiet had been restored Justice Miller of the United States court, began the delivery of his memorial oration. in the course oí which he said : There is no danger in this country f rom the power reposed in the presidential office. There is, as sad experienee shows, f ar more danger from nihilism and assassination, than from ambitiou in our pubiic servan ts. So far have the incumbents of the presldency, during the hundred years of it history, been from grasping, or atteinpting to grasp, powers not warranted by the constitutiou, and so far from exercisin; the admitted power of that office in a despotic mauner a candid student of our political history mirin.i that time cannut fait to perceive thut no one of the three great departments of the government has been more snorn of its just powers, or crippled in the exercise of them, than t..o presidency. In regard to the function of appoiutment to office - perhaps the most important of the executive duties- the spirit of the constitution requires that the president shall exercise freely his best judgmeut andfollow liis most sincere conviction in selectiug proper men. It is undeniable that for many years past, by the gradual growth of custoin, it has come to pass that in the nomination of oflicers by the president, he has so far submitted to be governed by the wishes and recommendations of lnterested inenibers of the two houses of congress, tbat the purpose of the constitution in vesting this power in him, and the right of the public to hold him personally respotisible for each and every appointment he makes, are largely defeated. If xperience enn teach anything on the subject of theories of government, the late civil war teaches unmistakably that those who believed the source of danger to be in the trong powers of the federal govarnment ere in error, aud tbat those who believed that such powers were necessary to its safe conduct and continued existence were in right. Mrs. Cleveland sat almostin front of the speaker's position and was the cynosure of all eye&