New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-04-06
The Centennial CeIebFatiOH.
From the Philadelphia Age

The ratriotic heart of the nation is deeply
stirred in behalf OF the coming centennial
celebration OF the declaration Of lndepen-
dence. One after another the States are
falling into line in aid of the movement,
and their most talented and eloquent sons
presenting and urging the claims OF the
| centennial commission upon the people with
| power. point and emphasis In this work
| The men of the Southwest stand shoulder
| 70 shoulder with those OF the Middle and
| Eastern States. Tennessee is actively en-
gagged in arousing her people TO the duties
| and demands Of the times IN relation to
| this matter. and on the twenty-tirst ultimO
| Hon. Baillie Peyton addressed the members
| of the House of Representatives of that
| State and a large mixed audience upon this
subject.
The honorable speaker was introduced to
| the vast assemblage by Hon. w. H. Steph-
| ems of Memphis, in a neat and appropriate
address. When the applause which greet
! cd Mr. Peyton ceased, he said: III ever
| there was an occasion that was tree from
| party influences. this will be one. 1t will
| be national in its conception, national ID its
| aims. and national in its results. 1t enlists
| the feelings of patriotism. OF venerauon tor
| our ancestors, and OF pride fox the great
ness of our land and country. 1t has no
| political character. IL rises above politics
| ana appeals 10 the highest anu noblest
sentiments OF our udl uIes CuCn 'tH OCCa-
! sion will never occur again in the lifetime
| Of anv mortal now living, and we shall
| have the qualification OF seeing represented
, there 40 000 600 o. our own people II geneT"
| GUS rivalry witt. all che nations OF the
| earth. And III that contest we shall see
! that the United States is not surpassed IN
! her men, IL her women. N her produce
! tons and IN her splendid prospects tor
| the future In every thing Of practical util-
| NV it was vel! said by Webster tina. Am
erica is first and there is no second
oOf all the world America has been the
! most fruitful in Inventions The cotton gin.
! the application of steam as motive power.
, the electric telegraph. that wonderful! mar.
| vel which realizes the disturbed dream OF
| the gTea: dramatlst i'll putting a glrdle
| around tie earth i'll forty minutes-these
and many more for the utilization and null
| tiplicatioR of human labor have been the
! PRODUCTS Of the American mind But greater
! and grander. and more fruitful OF beneficial
results to humanity, has been the invention
! OF free government which extends 10 every
| citizen the rights OF manhood. And this
| spirit of free government! IS working IT.
wav. despite all obstacles, over mOss-grown
| privileges. tearing away time-honOred Gus.
| toms. and spreading light and joy and
! civilization among ak the nations OF the
| eartho'
Mr.. Pey.on :hen asked :he questions
! whether Tennessee has any particular IN.
terest in this celebration in io76-whether
she NAV no. be benefited by an exhibition
. of her immense variety OF products! In
| answering these questions the GIFTED gem
| tIeman drew a fervid but truthful picture
of the productions and resources OF Tennes.
see. and urged upon The people the neces.
! s!.y OF taking advantage OF the centennial
| exposition 70 give the country and the
world full and accurate knowledge OF the
home wealth of that commonwealth. This
branch OF his subject he illustrated and en-
! forced with facts and figures Of the most
convincing and stimulating character. and
! the effec. upOH the audience was ot the
mos: apparent and gratifying character.
In concluding this portion OF AIS address.
Mr.. PeytoH said:
Publish your resources. gentlemen. 20
| the world. New York. Missouri, Iowa and
Colorado even are spending thousands OF
dollars annually for shi. !urposev and are
! satisfied :ha: the investlnen: pays an
wealth. Alabama IS doing this and is
drawing large. frugal population into her
.:or districts. Make a small appropriation
| .oC this exhibition. that your products may
, exempi.fv your greatness. tennessee has
enough 70 make a respectable exhibition
herself. She ought 70 secure one or two
| acres a. Philadelphia and she orgL. 20
cover il all over with her products.
\. .he end Of MS speech Mr.. PeytOE
alluded 20 the pas. services of Tennessee.
an(: said: In her early days her sons were
! e.IUa! 20 any emergency. 1Hcy rescued
their beautiful land from the savage. and
.ali the :oundatlop-stoE" -: clV.IZatcn
west -: the mountains. In every contest.
! whether with nature or VIII: savages. her
ueoI,fe have neye. known despair. Let her.
IA iii. c.v:c contest. show herself equal 70
he demand OF -h. uatr!ct.c occasion.