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

All men know by this time that the
Fourthlof July, 1876, is to be cclcbra-
teddy a pageant as grand as was ever
conceived. The arrangements for the
celebration of this the One Hundredlh
Anniversary Of American Independence
are already thoroughly orgoniSed and
are upon an immense scale. The cclc-
bratien will be held at PHILADELPHIA,
aud there is no dsubt 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
Efcn'ny Bullctin comes to us with full
account of the meeting Of agents of the
Philadelphia Verdi Exposition of 1876
at Memphis Tennessee. The Com
missionsrs to represent Tennessee in be
half of the scheme met in tho city
natned, 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 erince the molps opcronc7I, aud the
spirit that should animate the entire
South.
REMARKS OF col. wsi. STEPHENS.
Colonel VIM. II. Stephens said con.
vcrsationally that, as a member OF the
Centennial Board Of Finance, it is No,
lmprQper for Inc to speak few words at
this, your first meeting in West Teu
nesses. by an act Of Congress, approv.
ed on the third day of March, 1871.
provision WAS made for the due cclehra
tion lat, Philadelphia of the one hsnd-
rcdth anniversary of the American
lndspeRdenco in the year 1876, with
approximate ceremonies, aud by the dis
piAy---Ga nut iJTiiti rcssGHrOas and our
progress in the useful arts, OF 4 scale
which should attract the attention Of
the civilized world. Under this act one
commissioner and one ai,ernlte com.
missioner were appointed from each
State and Territory to promote and con
troll the exhibition. For Tennessee, the
Commissioner is Thomas Ii. Coldwell.
of Shelbyyille, and the Alternate is
William L. Prosser, Nashville, both of
whom have brought to the discharge Of
their duties much ability aud 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 an d Terri,
tories.
Bpt, genilemen, there are other mo.
tivess for our participation in this great
industrial exposition. Its influence in
ro.cstablishing cordial relations among
those who have heretofore been alicna.
ted from each other cannot be too highly
estimated. Since, to all human views
it seems to be the will Of Providence
that We are to remain united in govern
mcnt, to obey the same laws, to speak
one language, to live under the same
roef and TO worship at the same altars.
it is obviously the part of true wisdom
to dwell together in unity, and to pro
mote spirit of concord throus hout 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 poit
clans. and have perplexsd even tho wis
dom of tie 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 obljterate the memory of past ami
mosities. Can you conceive of an
occasion more likely to inauguratc such a
friendly spirit than the assembling of a
nation 10 celebrate tho hundrcdth ami,
yorsnry of its birth, around the hall in