Celebration of the Centennial of the Signing of the Constitu. tion. The subjoined history of proceed- ings perliminary to the celebration in this city of the Centennial Auniver- sary of the Framing and Promulga: tion of the Constitution of the United States is timely, and will be read with interest, as well, perhaps as the review of the original celebration in 1788. The legislature of New Jersey on the 2d day of Jcne, 1886, passed resolu- tions inviting the Governor and Rep- resentatives of the thirteen original States to assemble in Philadelphia to consider the propriety of a national celebration of the centennial anniver- sary of the framing and promulgation of the Couvstitution of the United States. In accordance with this invi- tation a convention of the Governors and Representatives of the thirteen Colonial States and of citizens was held at Philadelphia, September 17 1886, in the Hall of the Carpenters’ Company. There were present the Governors of Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia. In consequence of resolutions apopt. ed at this meeting letters were ad- dressed by the Hon. Fitzhugh Lee, Governor of Virginia, as chairman of the Committee of Governors of the Colonial States, to the Governors of all the States and Territories of the Union, inviting them to appoint com- missioners to be present at a conven- tion to be held at Philadelphia, De- cember 2, 1886, In response to this request commis sioners were appointed by the Gover. nors of the following States and Ter- ritories, viz: Connecicut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Caro lina, Obio, Oregon, Penosylvanis, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Ten- nessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Da- kota, Idaho, Montans, Wyoming. This Cogvention of December 2, 1886, elected Hon. John A. Kasson, of Iowa, President, and Hampton L. Carson, Esq., of Philadelphia, Secre- tary. A sob-commission was select- ed, of which Amos R. Little, Faq. was made chairman, the President and Secretary of the Convention being ad” ded as ex-officio members. A commit pointed by the several States and Ter- ritories to take steps towards the cele- bration of the signature of the Consti- tution, feel iv their just duty to eall the attention of the country, and of both press aod public, to the approach of this great anniversary. “It becomes us, also, to recall the characteristics of the change in the government of States effected be the tranquil adoption of a system of checks to the heated impulses which political strife has always aroused. The barrier to hasty legislation effect ed by an organic law, unchangeable except by processes involving delay, and so securing an interval in which reflection might resume its sway over passion, was 10 all practical purposes a novelty a century ago. ; “The success ot the great experi ment depenaed eventually upon the reverence with which men might be brought to regard the fundamental and supreme law, and upon the deter mination to consider it, in the nature of things, inviolable, except by the surrender of every respectable attri- bute of an upright people. “Upon the existence of this rever to its existence and preservation their descendents owe whatever is valuable in the institutions they inherit. To strengthen sod quicken the sense of the sacredness of this priocipal and and to admonish our countrymen that only by intelligent perception of its sured 8 continuance of the blessings which make us the admiration of the COMMissson., ence the statesmen of 1787 relied, and the paramount duty of observing it, transcendent importance can be as | ‘baviog kindly offered the spacious | lawn before his house, at Bush Hill, | for the purposes of the day, About 9:80 the grand procession began to move in the following order: First. Twelve axe-men, dressed in white frocks with white girdles round their waists, and wearing ornamented caps, and headed by Philip Pancake. Second. The First City Troops com- manded by Captain Miles, Third. Independence, represented by John Nixon, on horse back, bear- ing the staf’ and cup of Liberty ; unde’ the cap a white silk flag, with these words, “Fourth of July 1776,” in large gold letters, Fourth, Artillery, commanded by Captain Moreland Fisher. Fifth. French Alliance, represent ed by Thomas Fitzsimmons, on horse back, carrying a flag of silk, bearing | three flour-de-leys and thirteen stars {in union over the words, “Sixth of February, 1778, in gold characters. | The horse on which he rode was the {same on which Count: Rochambesu | rode at the siege of Yorktown. Sixth. Corps of Light Iofantry, commanded by Captain A, G, Clay- { pool, with standard of the First Reg- | iment. Seventh. Definitive Treaty of Peace represented by George Clymer, on | with olive and laurel; the woids, riage, smoking the calumet of peace Twenty-third. The Berke county Troop commanded by Captain Ph. Stubing. Twenty-fourth. The New Roof or Grand Federal Edifice. on carriage, drawn by ten white horses, This building, thirty-six fee! high, was in form of a dome, supported by thir- teen Corriothian columns, raised on pedestals. the frieze decorated with thirteen stars, Ten of the columns were complete, hut the left unfinished, On the pedestals of the colomus were inscibed, in ornamented letters, the initials of the thirteen American States Around the pedestal of the edifice these words, “In union the fabric stands firm.” The Grand Edifice was fcllowed by a corps of over 450 carpenters, saw- makers, file-cutters, &e. Twenty-fifth. Society of Cincinnati militia officers. Twentysixth. Corps of Light In. fantry, commanded by captain Rose. Twenty-seventh. The Agricultural Society, headed by their president Samuel Powel, and Major Hodgdon bearing a banner representing indus. try. Twenty-eighth. Farmers headed by Messrs. Richard Peters, Richard The Pennsylvania ~~ fia, constitution was the most momentous | event in the history of the American letters pevdant from . staff. people, and marks so epoch in the Eight, Col. John Shee, on borse- history of the civilized world. Uader | back, carrying a flag, blue field, bear- the constitution this great nation has ing an olive and laurel wreath, over grows up and prospered, avd on the | \0 oq “Washngton the frend of continued success of our system of | L wis constitutional government depend in | Our country,” insilver letters. “The successfal formation of the |uppirg of Saptember, in gold Isrge measure, the future welfare and | Ninth. The City Troops of Light happiness, not ouly of our own people, | Dragoons, Captain W. Bingham, but of mankind. We believe that |, 0000 q.4 by Msjor W. Jackson. the people appreciate, in asolemn and | T ) grateful spirit, the character of this | cath. Richard Bache, on horse- celebration, and that they will give it back, Asa herald attended by J trump* that hearty support throughout the | eter, proclaiming, “A New Era” the ength and breadth of the land which will make it in all ways worthy of the occasion and the event.” That the people do appreciate the character of the coming celebration is evinced by the hearty support which is now being given to the commis. sion, both by the several States uod the citizens of Philadelphia. The State of Pennsylvania has ap- propriated $75,000 for the purposes of the celebration and the entertainment of the representatives of the nation, of whom our Commonwealth will be the host. The approprisiions from tee of citizens was also formed, of which Thomas Cochran, Esq., was 1 he “The Constitutional Centennial Com- | of lected as chairman. name mission” was adopted as the name of | the Commission, and it was resolved, | n regard to the proposed celebration | at Philadelphia in September, 1887 PROGRAMME MAPPED OUT, First. That there an and Poem in commemoration Oration of the i yr Signing of the Constitution, : Second. That there shall be a mili. which the United “tates shall be invited to be represent. ed by each branch naval service ; tary display, in of its military and that the several States and Territories, and the District of | Columbia shall be invited to be rep- | resented by their militia and volun. j taking, 8 generous | of Philadelphia can be reliel upon | se | { greatly to increase this sum, and, ¢ w- sidering the magnitude of the une 1OCrease w necessary . An outline has alre dy been of the nature and ext A past Of this ing celebration, COMDATrIS ul lest by want of patriotic zeal aod fer ever, with the may be use vor we permit the joyful and magnif 8% 10 hovor of tie cent pagent of 17 adoption of the constitution, t) exceed in ADY manner our eommemora ion of its centennial anniversary THE EVENT OF A CENTURY AGO Oa July 4, 1788, the citizens of Philadelphia celebrated both the Dec | laration of Independence and the es: |oqt other states and from private citizens | | words New Era in gold letters, per {dant fiom the herald’s staff, with an | appropriate verse. Eleventh. Convention of the states, | represented by Peter Muhlenberg, on i | horseback, carrying a blue flag, with | the words, “Seventeenth of September, | 1786,” in silver letters. | Twelfth. Band of Music. | Thirteenth. The constitution, repre: | sented by Chief Justice McKean and | Judges Atlee and Rush, in their robes | of office, seated in a lofty ornamented car, in the form of a large eagle drawn | by six white hores, the Chief Justice {supported a tall staff, on the top of { which was the cap of liberty, under | the cap the new Constitution, framed {and ornamented, and immediately under the constitution the words, “The Pape to he gold letters affixed aree Rg . §¥ Fourteer. Corps of Light Infantry, Heysham, ¢ standard of the Third Regi | comman kd by Captain | witht t ment Fif.eenth. The [“enting Lhe states that bad ratified the Federal « : gentlemen repre- mstitution, each carrying a small fig, bearing the name of the State which he represents in gold let ters, viz.: Duncan Ingraham, New Hampshire ; Jona Willims, Jr, Mas- | sachusetts ; Jared Ingersoll, Connecti- Samuel Stockton, New Jersey : Willing, Samuel Meredith, Isaac world, seem a prominent duty of this | horseback, carryings flag adorned Warner, George Gray, Charles Will | ing, and others. One of the plows in | this department, drawn by four oxen, directed by Richard Willing, in the dress and character of a farmer. Tweoty-ninth. The Msoufacturiog | | Society, with spioviog and carding | machives, looms, &c. The carding machine, worked by two men, carding weight 50 cotton at the rate of 50-poad per day, was placed on a carrisge 13 Also MY. feet long, 18 feet wide, and feet high, drawn by ten horses. eral other machines in full op ration, The carriage was followed by a large | number of weavers, Thirtieth. Corps of Light Infantry | commanded by captain Robinson. Thirty-first. The Marine Society. Ten captains, five abreast, followed | by the members of the society, six abreast, Thirty-second. The Union, mounting 20 guns commanded by Joho Green, three lieutenants and Federal Ship four boys in uniform. The crew, in | cluding officers, consisted of 25 feet | width and rigging in proportion. Her hull the barge of the Alliance, the same which Lhe men, {| The ship was 33 in was ship formerly Serapis, and belonged to was tsken in the memorable engagement Bon Serapis of captain Paul Jones, the Homme Richard, with in the She was mounted on a carriagedrawn by ten horses, in a boat-builder’s feet Seven hands were at work building a boat Boat-builders shop, 18 feet long, 8 wide, high, drawn by four horses, 13 feet long, which was actually set the Then tollowed large de putations of the different trades —sail up and nearly completed during procession. makers, ship-carpenters, ship~joiners, rope-makers, and ship-chanclers, mer chaots aod traders, and others, Thirty third, The trades formed an teer service ; that the President of the | *blishment of the constitution, pro- {James Wilson, Pennsylvania; Col | '™portant feature of the procession, United States be requested to desig: | nate officers to command the same. Third. That there be an industrial processional display. Fourth. That invitations to partici. pate in the celebration be extended to the President of the United States and his Csbioet, the Federal Judiciary, Congress and the representatives of | all departments of the National Gov- | posed by the late general convention | of the States, then solemnly adopted and ratified by ten of those States. | biger, Virginia ; W. Ward Burrows, | Pennsylvania, Justices of the Court | i os y . ¥ ‘ » Rha v ama 3 The celebration began by a salute to | South Carolina : George Mead, G cor. of Common Pleas, Sheriff and Coroner the rising sun by a full peal from | Uhrist church steeple, and a discharge | of cannon from the ship “Rising Sun,” | ff Market street. At the same time ten vessels, named in honor te 4 of the ten adopting States and superd.- | anchored Hon. I Fe. | Thomas Robison, Delaware : E. Howard, Maryland ; Colonel gia. Sixteenth. Col. William Williams, on horseback, in complete armor, bear- ing on his arm a shield emblazoned with the arms of the United States, Seventeenth. The Montgomery ernment, to the Governors of each | ly decorated, could be seen arranged | Troop Light Horse, Commanded by State and Territory, to the Judiciaries | and Legislatures of the same and the representatives of the several depart. | ments thereof, to the Commissioners | of the District of Columbia and to the | various civic organizations and associ. ations of the Union, and that the resi’ | dent representatives of foreign gov- eroment having friendly relations with the United States be invited to participate. Fifth. That there be created a suit able memorial in the city of Phils delphia, commemorative of the sign. ing and adoption of the Constitution and of the progress of the nation since that period, The chairman of the conamittee ap- pointed by the convention to prepare an address to the people of the United States, made a stirring and patriotic report, which was adopted as follows : “The Convention of Delegates ap- 2 | the whole length of the harbor, in the following order : opposite to the Northern Liberties Massachusetts opposite to Vine Street. Connecticut, to Race Street : New Jer sey, to Arch Street; Pennsylvania, to Market Street; Delaware, to Chest | nut Street; Maryland, to Walnut Street; Virginia, to Spruce Street , South Chrolina, to Pine Street: and Georgia, to South Street. The several divisions which were to compose the grand procession, began to assemble at 8 o'clock in the morn. ing at and near the intersection of Third and South Streets. At this point the line of march commenced, and continued along Third Street to Oallowhill Street, thence up Callow- New Hampshire | Captain James Morris, Eighteenth, Consuls and Represen- ative: of Foeign States in alliance { with America. | Nineteenth. Hoo, Francis Hopkin- ! | green riband. He was proceeded by the register’s clerk, carrying a green bag, filled with rolls of parchment, the word “Admirality’ in large letters in the front of the bag. James Read Register of Admirality Court, wearing a silver pen in his hat, Clement Biddle, Marshal of the Ad. mirality, carrying a silver oar, Twentieth, Wardeos of the Port and Tonnage Officer. Twenty-first. Collector of Costoms and Naval Officer, Twenty-second. Peter Bynton as a citizen, and Colonel Isaac Melcher, 1 dressed as an Indian Chief, ina ear and were followed by officers of Con. | gress, Supreme Executive Chanel Joard City Warden, City Treasurer ete, members of the bar, the clergy. physicians, the county troop of horse command by Major W. McPherson The length of the three miles bringing up the rear. | the line was a mile and a half, distance marched about and time consumed over three hours. Fraascis Hopkinson, who participa ted in this procession, wiote that it | was “an exhibition which for novelty, | splendor and decorum justly merited fair itself, we take into consideration the important oceasion that induced it, it must be acknowledged to have been an object most interesting and truly sublime.” : It is of course but natural to ex~ pect that the celebration of 1887 will surpass that of 1788 in respect to grandure and magnificence in every detail. To surpass it, however, in the joy and cathusinem of the participants will noi be an easy task, The State of Peonsylvania has ap- ‘propriated $75,000 ; citizens of Phila- delphia have subscribed over $20,000, The following sums have bee appro priated by other States, viz. : Con- necticut, 818000; Rnode Island, 82500; Delaware, 2000; Massachu- setts, 840,000 New Jersey has auth- orfzed the Governor to send its militia at the cost of the State. Maryland, Virginia and Boath Caroling have ar- ranged to send troops. Up to July lst the Governors of these States, us those of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Ne- hraska and Texas had accepted the invitation of the commission to come to Philadelphia. The Governors of all the States and Territories have been juvited the Celebration as guests of the Commis 10 sion, and have been s-ked 10 send rep. resentatives of their wulini It i expected that in very short time ac. not, for some good TeRsOl, INC pPRcitn ted from coming, and that the major also by some portion of their troops there is every reason to hip will np occasion, without the absence of single member’ will be designated ny the President and U ited States Troops which wil all the accumulated proofs of your material and industrial prosperity aud progress. Since then you have assembled at Saratoga and Trenton, at Brandywine and Germantown, up- on the sacred hills at Valley Forge, Monmouth and Btony Point, at Charleston, Savannah Bpriogs, and Eotaw Alternately you exulted in the recollection of victory as st, Codd ceptance from every Governor wh ie | ity of the States will be represen ed i The great family of States should, aud | pear at their gatheriog on thie hist rie | President Cleveland will preside st | the ceremonies, and General Sheridun to command the combined forces of | pens, or were saddened and | ed, us at Camde chasten. | 0 by the memories | defeat. but lately, you hurried | the plains of Yorktown, the scene | final triomph, to attest your joy | the delivernnce of America from bon- | dage, and 'Procisim your undying attachment to the principles which patriots of | glorious Revolution, | auimated the our ever. For a third time you are summoned Paoilade phis-——the City of the Declaration | toy of Independence—the City of the Constitution, It is the | Meces of Thither every Lover of free gov rument, every studemt hes . . . | of the political achievements of man- Kind, every ¢ America, zen who values the or who has enjoy. and its benefits, Itis a Nation- | blessings of livery | ed is protection should find his wav, al In But a few vears ago, the celebration. is the People’s | Jubilee, : inhabitants of frozen Iceland met on | their Law Mouot and celebrated with tale part io the grand parade. The | song and saga, their ove thousandth : ¢ iv , 1 : Civic and Industrial display will he | S0DiIVersary. But a few days since, marshaled by A. Loudon Soowdep, millions of British subjects rent the | Esq. | air with their acclamations upon the Mr. Justice Miller of the Sapreme Court of the Uuited States, will de. liver an oration, end it is expected | : : reign of their gracious Queen. Our | National Memorial Celebration is of It the far deeper significance than these. relates to of structure of our government by its that a poem will be delivered by a pa tional poet, the completion All indications point to 8 great suc cess of the celebration. architects and builders and its solemn dedication t and maskind. — the service of the people ADDRESS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAI Ibe bour when that | completion of the fiftieth year of the 7 d length, ! of | CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, To the people of the United States { The Constizutional Centennial Com- ovission was organized at Philadelphia on the 2d of December, 1886, by the Commissioners appointed by the States | and Territories, for the purpose of pr widiog for the proper celebration by the Nation of the Centennial Ap. of and | Promulgation of the Constitution of niversary the Frawiog the United States of America. { At various times, and in places, you have been called together to commemorate by appropriate cere monies the great events in your nation, In pulse which bids a pe ple do | al history obedience to that it ™ honor to its past, you have reared the lofty column, the triumphal arch, or the votive tablet to the memories of those who fought for freedom on the battle. fie id, or who, by their wisdom in the Senate Chamber, preserved the prin ciples of free government for the bene In 1874, summoned by the voice of fit of mankind. yOu wer Philadel | phia to meet in the Hall of the Car penters’ Company, where the | Continental Congress protested against Stamp Act, the Port Bill, restrictions the tyranny of the | Tea Act, the Boston vexatious bol rights to the enjoyment of life, liberty and ell the ] | up mn trade, and dly proclaimed their | and property, their resistance to taxa | ion without representation, and their | purpose to defend their ancient char In | answered the eall of Lexington, and ters from assault. 1875, you Concord, and Bunker Hill, to pay the | respec tful homage of your gratitude “fired the world.” to those bold farmers who shot heard round the and | thrice drove the redcoated grendadiers to the shelter of their shipping. In | 1876, you again assembled in Phila delphis, lise worshipers before a shrine | to bow in reverence and return lv ut thanks to God for the spirit | which inspired the Fathers of the Re | public to declare that “These United son, Judge of theAdmirality, wearing | universal adwirstion sod applaose | Col voles are, and of right ought 10 be in his hat a g id anchor, peadant on a If besides the magnificence of the ar | Fre w and Independent States,” and to the accomplishment of that grand diferent | first | : des august convention—presided over by Washington and illumined by the wisdom of Franklin, Hamilton, Madi.” son, Wilson, Langdon, Morris, Gerry, Sherman, Ellsworth, Livingston: Dickioson, Carroll, Rutledge, Pinck- ney, Baldwin and their immortal as sociates—completed its work, and on the 17th of September, 1787, commit. ted to the People of the States for their approval that great Charter of | Goverument, now known and honored | everywhere as the Congtitation of the marked the poch in our history, The ! United States, most momenious « labors of ths time the and self government origin; without a prototype in design i f en fur og sire Iigih, and of phenome in t : 5 nal success, 1e history of political i philosophy the ( Te sted by pstitation stands alone ad- versity, as well as by peace and pros. aanger and perity, endeared to tradition it reverential | and aflectionate regard. To it no us by and hallowed by experience, become the object of our has | American mind can be too altentive, and no American beart too devoted, and it is believed that the people will gather as they never yet have gather. ed, 10 commemorate by appropriate exercises the great work which was accomplished 1n Philadelphia by the statesmen of the Revolution, and to return io a devout and heartfelt man ner their thanks to Divine Providence for the blessings which they have en. Joyed during a century of federal constitutional government. Animated by these feelings and conscious of the sublime meaning of the approaching event, the Commis. sioners have framed and outlined | programme of exercises which their judgment are appropriate. They have provided for the delivery of an Oration by Mr. Jastice Miller, | of the Supreme Court of the United | States, and a Poem by a Nat'onal Poet in commemoration of he siguirg of the Constitution. There will " grand Industrial Proosssional Display which will vutshin magnite "oe a in 4 n purpose to solemnly pledgn their lives | and extent. in the « artery and com- their fortunes, and their sacred honor, | Pletencss of its details, the gre pop There and then you met your ancient | Blar rejuicings of over one hundred enemy, not iu the furious shook of | Years ago. There will be a Militury war, but in a time of profound peace, | Display in which the United Sates in honorable rivalry, with feelings of | De represented by each bracoh of its amity and generous forgetfulloess of military and naval service, command. former wrongs. You called upon the nations of the earth to witness the spectacle of successful free govern. ment, the triamphe of your mechanic ed by the Geoeral of the Army; rev eral States and Territories and the District of Columbia will be represent. ed by their militia and volunt er set= vice. Tae President of the United States will preside in person upon the ventive genius, the rich harvests of | 17h of Sepiember. Tovitations to participate in the celebration have your fields, your mineral wealth, and r
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