Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-07-22
SPEECH OF HON.. A. R. BoTELER.

Is at the meeting of the Centennial Cons
missioners in Philadelphia. on the: 4th of
Jaly, Hon. A. r. 9sotcler, of this county.
COMMUNICATIONS " est irginiia, was called
upon to respond TO Last in honor of Vir-
ginia. which he did rs follows
]. am hot here, Mr. Chairman. merely as q
Virginian, has also. am proud to say, as an
American. JApplause.l And, in arising to
respond to the demand you have made upon
me, IT were to venture to make what might
be technically called speech, 1 could be at
no loss itara suitable sub ect on which to sad
dress you. For, sir, this is, cestainlya most
suggestive oocasion-the day we celebrate, SO
dear to every true American heart the place
at which we meet, SO full OF pleasant memo.
RES and patriotic associations this significant
assemblase. dignifed by the presence of the
Heads OF the Departments of orr National
Government-the Executives aof this, and
neiehboring States-representati men of
mark from distance and so many of the solid
men of tho ''city of bro,herly love"-all of
whom are here to rectify by their presence
how earnestly they desire to promote the grand
specific object of which the ceremonies we
have seen this evening are the initiatory acts
{ OF preparation-that grander4 celebration of
the close of the FIRST century of our national
existence for which Philadelphia and those
beautiful grounds have been so appropriately
selected. These, sir, would form appropriate
themes for.,sthis occasion which would be
worthy OF the powers of the most gifted orator.
But Mr.. Chairman, I am no oratorApo
speech maker either by practice or profession
hut simply and solely a farmer. II arp!ause7
from the right hank of the Potomac renewed
applause and better acquainted with the Gull
tication Of the fruits Of the earth, than that
of the flowers of rhetoric Nevertheless, Mr..
Chairman. believing as do, that there are
occasions, and this is one of them. when it
becomes duty, as it always is the privilege
ofevery' freeman in this favored land of ours,
to give expression to the earnest and honest
feelings of the heart when they struggle for
utterance within US, / do not hesitate to avail
myselt of the opportunity which your COM
plmentary call has given me to express nv
very great pleasure III participating with you
IN the proceedings of this suspicious day. and
the deep interest feel in the success of our
proposed Centennial Exposition of rs. For,
sir, if there was nothing else connected with
that International Exhibition which should
commend it to the hearty approval and sup>,
port of the whole country, it would he found
in the fact thatit will doubtless prove to be
.--N7'
ternal feeling which formerly existed through
out our land and which all good men and true
potriots are anxious to restore. "a pplause. 4
And desire also to say in behalf of those
whom have the honor to REPRESENT here to-
n'ght-the people of West Virginia. whose
embiazoned shield see suspended before me
that whatever differences of opinion have
heretofore existed amongst them-whateyer
dIsagreements have been between them, or
any portion of them and you in the past
disaereements arising from honest con victions
on their parts as we'll as on yours-which culs
minated in that saddest of all sad episndes in
our c"untry's history, now, sir, q say it with
an emphasis which must NOT he misunder.
stood). they. the peonlc of West Virginia,
with hardly an insignificant ex ceptinn. recog-
n'ze no other rallying point for their patriot
ism, but the unfurled flag OF our COUNTY,
of our whole country from ocean tn ocean,
and in all its VARYING latitndes from Alaska to
the Gn'f. [Great applause And further,
MIR. Chairman, I have also to say for nv peo-
pie. that it is one of the dearest wishes of
their hearts that in all the centuries to come
their children's children's children will be "a
prompt to offer and to take the omen hand of
hospitality and kindness as we have been to-
night, [Applause. rg--,
III TtgHt Il cGlteGe 1fle0Q,
whom [ have met but once in thirty years,
1.-THE Hon Benz. Fl. Brewster, late Attorney
General of Pennsylvania am reminded of
the classics over which we we're wont to
"pole' in the historic halls of Princeton and
of an incident which they record 1t was at
the feast of Callias, when different guests
were each called on in their turn to say of
what they were most proud, that Lycon an
Swered, tl am most rroud IN have sncb i, CO.,
as Ausolycus,' whilst Autolycus ia his turn
responded. when the same in.errosotary was
propounded to him, t'And I, in that can
cau I,ycon father!"
So, sir. when we shall again assemble here
three years hence to celebrate the hundredth
anniversary of the declaration of our country's
independence by grand display Of all the
various specimens of American products. arts
and industries. our country will have most
reason to he proud of the people who will
come bringing here with them offerings of
patriotism from every part of our land, (for
mans the nobfest growth our cline supplies.)
and the people themselves by that time
thoroughly rehabiitated and reconciled. will
have canse with conscious nride to point to
their country not only as the first and the
most prosperous, but also as the strongest. he,
cause the most united nation upon Gods
green earth. TApplause.1
speaker proceeded in further interesting
remarks. interrupted by repeated applause,
and concluded by graceful acknowledgement
of the courtesies extended to himself and the
kind and cordial compliment paid by the cons
pany TO the people of the two Iirginias.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.