The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-03
OUR SECULAR YEAR.

Augustus, when the temple Of war was
closed, and the great Prince of Peace visited
the earth. 1t was his secular hymn. An
event, not unlike that of Rome, is draw
ing nigh in America, in our Augustan
age. when not only shall the Union be at
peace, but we trust the whole world !;
and thoughtful and patriotic people are
already beginning to seriously consider the
manner of its commemoration, and to look
up some lean and languid Horace to sing
the glories of the century.
An Augustus now rules over US; and
we have many Mac@nas to patronize and
encourage art and literature; while there is
no lack of genius, talent, and the means to
make our centennial of independence, on
the Fourth of July, 1876, one of the most
interesting and memorable occasions. How
and where to celebrate this great anniver-
sary is at present the question which is
agitating the public mind at the North, and
we suppose the South will also have some
thing to say about matter in which they
are quite as deeply interested as their
Northern brethren. Philadelphia claims
to have prior rights, as the cradle of lib
erty, and thinks old Independence Hall
should not be overlcoked-wh New
York and Washington each have projects
in view, which shall draw to them multi
tudes of patriotic Americans, who will
wish to pay becoming honors to the year,
and, particularly, to the memorable day
which it will enclose. OF course, Richmond
has claims,--as being the Capital of the
oldest State, aud one which contributed so
much to the establishment of our free
government. Besides our position is
more central, and by that time, we
shall have, or ought to have, all
our railroads completed, including the
Alexandria aud Richmond; aud by grand
National centennial celebration in this city,
what glorious opportunity would be of
fered to the people of all States, sections
and parties to meet together and restore
that "union of hearts and union of hands"
which existed hundred years ago, bury
all animosities, and become again as one
nation in thought, feeling and purpose. 1t
could thus be made doubly memorable, by
the erection of lasting monument to
peace, Union, and fraternity. A re-
united people might then set-forth upon
the second century of the Republic, with
renewed hopes of the perpetuity of our
free and glorious institutions. Let Rich
mond be the place selected, and the hap
piest results will flow from this great
National reunion.
But no matter what town or city or State
may be selected for the centennial cee-
bration, high carnival will be held through
out the whole land, and although we may
not be able to spare time to keep the entire
year as holiday, we should, at least, en-
deavor to devote a week or fortnight to
patriotic ubilations. There will be era
tons by fiery orators, and odes by ambi-
tious poets, and glowing editorials recount
ing the events of the hundred years, in
Vulnerable. Every hamlet must have its
own orator. and the ceremonies will be as
varied as they will be enthusiastic A
nation, in its most jubilant mood, will de-.
wise all methods of testifying its gratitude
for the favors which have been SO bounti-
fally showered upon it, and its praises can
not too profusely be ascribed to the fathers
who founded, to the statesmen who pre-
served, and to the patriots who saved the
freest government of the world.
This will be we'll. And We don't know
but it would be very happy idea to have
all the Fourth of July orations that have
been delivered during the century, coll
lected into volume to be read on that
day. But it is suggested that something
more durable than this "fustian," and
more worthy the occasion, should crown
the glory of the event that we want
something in the way Of commemoration
WulCu suaii 10 IL 10 ehesioO'oi
and this will require the exercise of the
soundest Judgment, and an immediate
Inauguration of measures tending to such
an end.
Looking to this purpose, number Of
plans have been suggested and propositions
made, among which we find the following
by the Hon. John B. Bigelow, late Minister
to France, and now temporarily residing
in Berlin.
In letter to the Hon. Roscoe Conk-
ling, Senator from New York, he holds
that the main celebration should be
national, popular, and at the same time
leave permanent memorial of our pro-
gress. He advocates separate celebrations
in every considerable locality; but beyond
this he states certain things that ought to
be done before we reach the memorial day
Among the more obvious and important
thus proper to be accomplished, be sug-
gests the following:
/. The completion of the Washington mon.
ument, and of all the public buildings in the
Federal Capital