The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-05-03
The Gentennial and the soutl,


conceived. The arrangements for the
celebration of this the One Hundredth
AA1nlniverspryof American Independence
are already thoroughly organized and
are upon an immense scale. The celc
bratien will be held at Philadelphia,
aud there is no doubt that the whole
North will enter into the spirit of the
occasion with an enthusiasm that will
count no cost nor spare any pains. Will
the South participate +?
A late number of the Philadelphia
Eeeniny Bulletin comes to us with full
account of the meeting Of agents of the
Philadelphia World Exposition of 1876
at Memphis Tennessee. The Com
missioners to represent Tennessee in be
half Of the scheme met in tho CITY
NAMED, and an association was formed
embracing some Of the leading men of
the State.
We subjoin extracts from the ad
dress of Col. VIM. II. Stephens which
will evince the mo1us opcran,T, and the
spirit that should animate the entire
South.
REMARKS OF COL. WA. II STEPHENS.
Colonel VIM. II. Stephens said con-
vorsationally that, rs member OF the
Centennial Board of Finance, it is not
improper for Inc to speak few words at
this, your first meeting iu West Fen
nesses. /, BY an act of Congress, approv-
ed on the third day of March, 1871.
provision Was made for the due ccebra
tion lat, Philadelphia of the one hsnd-
rcdths7 anpivcrsary of the American
Independence in the year 1876, with
apnrnnriate ceremonies, and by the dis
-I,l~y7- -e-vur .suriouui RESOURCES and our
progress in the useful arts, OF a scale
which should attract he attention OF
the civilized world. Under this act one
commissioner and one alternate com
missioner were appointed from each
State aud Territory 30 promote and con
troll tho exhibition. For Tennessee. the
Commissioner is Thomas Ii, Uoldwsll.
of Shelbyville, and the Alternate is
William L. Prosser, Nashville, both of
whom have brought to the discharge Of
their duties much ability and the most
commendable zeal. On the first of juno,
1872, an act of Congress Was passed
creating corporation with capital of
ten million dollars, to be known as the
Centennial Board of Finance, composed
OF citizens Of all tho States and Terri
tories.
But, genllsmen, there are other mo-
tivess for our participation in this great
industrial exposition. Its influence in
rs-cstablishing cordiol relations amon No
those who have heretofore been aliena-
ted from each other cannot be too highly
estimated. Since, to all human views
it seems to be the will of Providence
that We arc to remain united in govern
mcnt, to obey the same laws, to speak
one language, to live under the same
roof and to worship at the same altars.
it is obviously the part of true wisdom
to d&ell together in unity, and to pro
mote aspiFit Of concord throus shout the
wide extent of our country. In the
celebration of the "year Of jubilee" and
in the flow Of good feeling to result from
it, We can see way of escape from
those social and political troubles and
complications which have utterly con
founded the schemes Of the party polit
clans. and have perplexsd even the wis
dom of the statesmen. Compulsory
legislation may enforce obedience cf the
law, but it cannot heal the wounded
spirit, nor rekindle fires of patriotism
1t is for the people themselves to re
establish their ancient friendships, and
to obliterate the memory of past AMI
mosities. Can you conceive of an
occasion more likely to inaugurate such a
friendly spirit than the assembling of a
nation TO celebrate tho hundrcdth ami.
versary of its birth, around the hall in
which Independence was first proclaim
ed, where John Adams, of Massachusetts, s
held counsel with Thomas Jefforson, of