anil as she sank—so does the story read—a
dying seaman crossed her decks, upon the raw
and bleeding stumps of his shattered limbs, to
pull the lanyards of his gun, and fire a parting
shot towards the foe.
Need I speak for such men? The impres
sible scene before me is my answer. These
costly and beautiful gifts are the embodiment
yet not the measure, of the patriotism and the
humanity of the people.
In their name I commit them to you, sir,
and through you to their holy mission of com
fort to the sick and wounded, and consolation
to the dying heroes of our army and our navy.
Right Rev. Bishop Simpson, of the M. E.
Church, who had been delegated by President
Lincoln to act in his stead and receive the
munificent gift, made an eloquent speech in
discharging the duly entrusted to him. He
said :
llisiior SIMPSON’S ADDRESS
“At the request of the President of the
United States, and in his behalf, I accept from
the honorable Executive Committee the vast
treasures contained in these immense build
ings, the generous offerings of the citizens of
New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, to
be dedicated, in the name of the people, to the
use of the sick and wounded in our army and
navy. No one more than myself regrets the
absence of our Chief Magistrate, in view of
the unparalleled magnificence of these ar
rangements, and the character of this assem
blage, combining, ns they do, to form a
gathering worthy of his presence. We should
be delighted to hear from his lips his acknow
ledgement of the great good being done by
Christian and Sanitary Commissions, and to
hear of the promises of glorious results of the
present national struggle. [Cheers.] But he
could not be with us. Ilis eyes are upon
Richmond. [Cheers.] lie is listening for
tidings from the brave general and from the
equally brave advancing hosts. [Cheers.]
He is waiting to give such assistance as the
interests of that army may demand. While he
is not with us, he is of us. He is deeply moved
at the distresses and privations of the soldiers
and sailors, and all that the government could
do he has promptly done for the officers of the
Sanitary Commission.”
The Bishop briefly reviewed the work of the
Commission, and referring to the magnitude of
the present struggle, declared that, although
our young men have been swept away by the
hundreds and although amid the smoke some
stars have been dimmed, yet the Star Spangled
Banner still floats, and men still rally around
the flag. [Cheers.] In concluding, he said :
“It is true that many sleep in the dust.
A Lyon, a Baker, a Skdgewick, and a Wads
worth rest in their glory, bnt we have a host
still left. Siierman has shown that he is ‘ a
Northern man with Southern proclivities 1’
[Cheers.] We have a Thomas who never
doubts, and we have a Hooker who pushes his
way through the clouds. New England has
given her Howard, and, one-armed as he is,
he is still a host. She has given a Butler
who is a terror to the whole South. [Cheers ]
Pennsylvania proudly looks at her Hancock
as a tower of strength, and she wears next to
her heart her Meade of honor, while the
kindly West, from the borders of the Missis
sippi, sent us a Grant of unconditional vic
tory. [Cheers for Grant, and for the Army
of the Potomac.] Our marines are equally
precious. A gallant Foote rests in his glory ;
ttb Daily IPaak,e.
but we have left a Porter, a Farraout, and
a Dupont. [Cheers.]
And now, in the name of the people who
have proffered all these generous gifts, and
whose hearts are with the brave soldiers on
land or ocean—in the name of the people who
reverence the Constitution under which we
live, and who have sworn to uphold it—in the
name of the people who are resolved to live
and die under the Stars and Stripes without a
bar across them, I dedicate these buildings to
the use of the sick and wounded in our army
and navy who have perilled their lives in de
fence of their country. May God restore
them speedily to health, and may they soon
return to their homos, and may these donors
feel that it is more blessed to give than to
receive. [Cheers.]
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Right Rev. Bishop Stevens then delivered
an impressive prayer of dedication.
THE GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE.
Governor Cannon, of Delaware, was then
introduced, and in a brief address he stated
that Delaware had endeavored to do her share
in the good work, and expressed the hope that
the Great Central Fair would exceed the antic
ipations of its most ardent supporters, He
trusted that his State would soon enroll herself
among the list of Free States and take her
proper position in the Union.
THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY
Governor Parker, of New Jersey, followed
with an interesting address, giving a somewhat
detailed statement of the work done by his
State for her soldiers in the field. Referring
to the political topics of the day, he urged for
bearance and a toleration as to difference of
opinions.
TIIE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Governor Curtin closed the ceremonies.
He said:
I will not detain you very long. I notice
by the programme that I am to declare the
formal opening of these buildings. I will dis
charge that duty quickly and in a few words.
It is pleasant, indeed, to know that while
Western Pennsylvania is engaged in the pious
work, the people of Eastern Pennsylvania have
joined with the people of Delaware and New
Jersey, in offering, at the al'ar.of our country,
these treasures and have united in the dedica
tion of these buildings to the sick and wound
ed soldiers of the Republic. [Cheers.]
My friends, if there is one man more than
another, whom you can admit to your sincere
reverence and respect, it is the private sol
dier. [Cheers.] He is the true, noble man
of this land. [Cheers.] He falls with unre
corded name ; he serves in the army for small
pay ; no pageant markes his funeral, and he
may fall with those, who at Gettysburg till the
graves of the “ unknown,” and while you are
ministering to him when he is sick and wound
ed, pray, in God’s name, do not forget his
widow and orphans when lie falls. [Cheers.]
Recollect, too, that the work before this
great nation is big enough for all, and here,
where rich and poor join in making their
offering to their country, let us forget all dif
ferences in opinion in politics, in sects and in
religion, and declare, with one voice, for our
bleeding and distracted country. [Applause.]
[To Governor Cannon.] Sir, I welcome
you to our city. Parker, of New Jersey, I
welcome your loyal heart, as the representa
tive of the loyal people of your State. And
now, when tiie whole country is trembling
under the rude shocks of armed rebellion, the
greatest known in history, all differences
should be forgotten, for the work is big enough
for all. [Applause.] Now, when human
foresight is balked; when no man can tell the
future of the country; when armies, generals
and soldiers fail; when all human combina
tions fall short of the destruction of the rebel
lion, let me dedicate this great building to the
American Soldier. [Cheers.]
The accident which took place in the early
part of the proceedings compelled the Com
mittee of Arrangements to dispense with the
musical part of the programme. At the close
of the benediction, by Bishop Simpson, a pro
position was made to sing The Star Spangled
Banner, and the vast multitude joined in sing
ing the national anthem with grand effect.
Cheers were given for the Union, for Presi
dent Lincoln, for Generals Grant, Meade,
and Hancock, and the audience then scattered
to ramble through the Fair, and glance at
some of its wonders.
The following anthem, written by Dr
Holmes for the occasion, was to have been
sung, but in consequence of the accident to the
singers’ platform, it was necessarily omitted :
HYMN.
BY OI.IVKU WCNDELL lIOLMBS.
Written expressly for the Great Central Fair.
Father semi oil earth a-'aia
Fence and good will to men ;
Yet, while the weary track of life
Leads thy people through storm amt strife,
Ildp us to walk therein.
Guide us through the perilous path;
Teach us love that tempers wrath;
Let the fountain of mercy thnv
Alike for helpless friend and foe,
Children all of thine.
God of grace, hear our call;
Jlless our gifts, Giver of all;
The wounded heal, the captive restore,
Ami make us a nation evermore
Faithful to Freedom and Thee!
READ, YE UNBELIEVERS!
Among the various statistics elicited by the
great Sanitary movement, we have the follow
ing:—Since Fairs have become fashionable, it
has been estimated that, by working for them—
One million, nine thousand and forty young
ladies have advanced in “worsted work”
so far as to be competent to darn stockings.
Two millions and twenty-three have, by writ
ing letters for the Fair Post Offices, improved
their “ hand” so as to be able to indite kill-
ing billets doux.
Three millions one thousand and twenty-five
have carried needlework so far as to be able
to sew on any button whatever.
And yet there are people who “do not be
lieve” in this Fair business!!