Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-24
NASHVILLE.
THF MY FFsTIVAT.-


THE NAY FESTIVAL.
The spprosohing festival on the first day Of May,
:, Ibis city, bids fair to be an occasion Of Ordin-
arv importance. The Historical Society Of Teunes-
see did good deed when it inaugurated the common
GRAFTON Of SO Important an event, as the formation
Of the original written form Of government in the
Cumberlaud valley. Il was on the spot where
Nashville now stands, that the eHrly pioneers Of this
rsqion-far removed from the Watangs settlement
in East Tennessee and farther stil from the present
State Of North acknowledgements 10 have form
Of Republican government for their own protection,
aud for the good Of the settlement It was on the
first day Of May, 178O-lhe beautiful May-dsy fol-
lowing a remarkable cold Winter-that such men as
Henderson, Buchanan, Blackuore, Cartwright,
Ewing. Armstrong, Drake, Jennings, EdmistOn,
Catron, Crockett MaRsker, Boyd, CamrOu, Overall,
Moore, Maxwell, Foster, Robertson, Rains, Dcnel
son, Freeland, Castlsman, and others lin all 256)
sgued the document which was terror to outlaws
and evil-dOsrs, and which gave peace and quiet to
the entire Cumberland settlement.
Haywood says that when the first settlers came to
the Bluff, the country had the appearance Of one
which had never before been cultivated. Nothing
wa. presented to the eye but one large Plain OF
woods and cane frecuented 5y bufaloes, elk, deer
wolves, foxes panlhers and other animals suited to
the climate The land adjacent to the French Lice
which MaRsco, in l769, when he 6r st hunted here,
called sn old field, was large open space, fire.
ouented and trodden by bufalOes whose large paths
led to it from all parts Of the country and there con-
eenttated. The country as far as to elk river and
beyond it, had not single permanent inhabitant,
except he wild beasts Of the forest; but there we're
traces (says Ramsey, as every where else, Of hav-
ing been inhabited, many centuries before by
numerous population. At every lasting spring is
large collection OF graves. made in particular
way, the whole covered with stratum Of mould
and dirt eight or ten inches deep.
The Historical Society Of this State was organised
on the first day Of May, l849, and it is entirely
aproBos to observe the day. The old soldiers Of the
war Of l8l2-the pioneer settlers Of this region
the heroes Of the Seminole Campaigns-and the
victorious remnant Of the glorious First Tennessee
Regiment, with braves Of other Regiments in the
Mexican war-will participate in the celebration,
and have delightful reunion. They will be Joined
By the beauty Of the Southwest as the young ladies
of that old and popular institution, the Nashville
J
nected with the public schools, win participate. The
students Of the Military Institute, all the boys and
young men Of the city schools, with the members Of
the Press and the entire Typographical Union Of
this eity-the Robertson Association, Philsmsthsan,
and other soceties-win joyfully swell the ranks.
The city authorities will unite with the Historical
Society in inviting the municipical authorities Of
the cities Of Knoxville, Memphis and Chattanooga,
to be present In fact we hardly know how many
societies and organizations will turnout on this
gala day; il we're easier to name those that will
not participate.
Gen. B. T. Cheaiham win act as Chief Marshal Of
the day, and have corps Of Aids sufficient for the
entire line. Gen. c. is grandson Of Gen. James
Robertson. The Shelby Guards will lead the
column.
The flag Of the First Tennessee Regiment, which
was the first American flag that was ever uufurled
in victory on foreign soil, and which was pre-
scented to Col Campbell (since Gov. CampbelD By
the young ladies Of the Nashville Female Academy,
and to whom il was returned after the war, will be
again presented to the Regiment, through Col.
Campbell who will give it in charge to the HistOri
csl Society for final keeping The flag Of the Ord
Regiment will be in procession, and so will the fla 6
presented the Society by Gen. Moore, and which
was in the battles of New Orleans and Talladega.
The ladies Of the city are preparing collation.
and the thousands who will be present will enjoy
repast at Watkins grove, where the celebration will
take place. The Hon. James NJ. Davidson will de-
liver the set speech Of the day, and We are satisfei
will do justice to the occasion. With songs, and
music, aud oratory, the day will pass away de-
lghtfully, and will doubtless be long remembered
by the participants.
Ps The Musical Union, A." We are gratifsd to
hear, FiIl be present.
We are grati6ed to learn that many Of the
old soldiers aud Mexican war soldiers will attend
the May Day celebration in the uniforms in
the serviee-although they may be "tattered and
torn aud some Of them rather too small We hear
of soldiers in Lawrence, Maury, Shelby, White, and
other counties, who intend 20 wear their war gear,
and it is hoped that as many of them as have uni
forms will thus appear on the first Of May.