Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-05-21
The Cesslesssstul,

Hon. Asa Packer, John Il. Shoemaker
Esq, William V. Mexican, Esq, Hon
Morton McMichael, Hon. Daniel NJ
Fox, Thomas Cochran, ESQ, Colone
II. W. Gray, Colonel Meyer Asch
Hon. L. W. Smith, Theodore Kitchen
Esq, Mrs. Gillespie, president of tn,
Women's Centennial Committee, n
Parker Shortridgc, ESQ.,, John Wana
maker, Esq, Clement II. Riddle, Esq.
and many others. ar.
The meeting was called 10 order BY
Gen. Joseph II. uawley, president o
tho United States Centennial Com
mission, and Hon. Il. ". Smith, soc
rctary OF the commission, road th,
call for the meeting. n ulat
Hon. Daniel J. Morrcll nominate
iIo". wiiiiann Disior, of ClearfiolJ
county, Pa, for chairman of the meet
ing, and hc was unanimously elected
General Hawlcy addressed the meet
ing briefly, in which he stated that
'he movement for the organization
of the Centennial Commisson was now
complete, and the enterprise was al
ready hn assured success. rn.
Mr.. l.. W. Smith then road tho act
OF Congress authorizing tho election
of the Board Of Directors for the
Board of Finance, and the list of 100
nominees.
Hon. William Biglcr then delivered
the following speech:
GENTLEMEN accept with pleasure
the position Of presiding officer on
this occasion, and shall not attempt IN
disguise the great qualification / feel
because Of this manifestation of your
respect. am all the more thankful
to you because your action brings me
in connection with work 80 peculiar.
y in accord with my feelings. Indeed,
| confess to some ambition 10 be rated
an ardent and working friend Of the
Centennial Celebration.
The reasons for this ambition arc
too numerous to present on this oc-
casion, and | must confno myself TO
only few thoughts.
Ia the first place, | know it TO be
betting that the Centennial Ami
versary oftho nations existence should
be celebrated in some proper and i'm
posing manner. / can think of moth
ing more delightful than the coming
np Of the American people from every
State, and city, and town, county,
and mountain, aud vaiiey, ard cius.
tering about the birthplace of tho ma
tion, and uniting in proper manifesto
tions of JOY because of its birth, and
because it had existed for n century,
and because of tho marvellous growth
and prosperity that had marked its
career. fa
A still moro heart stirring and
Christian'zing scene will it be to wit.
ness the citizens so assem- blcd uniting
their hearts and voices in thankful.
coso N Gol Gov ,Le e,-. -l;-. ~--- m
has 80 constantly manifested over our
nation. When that scene is witnessed,
God willing, shall be present.
The story of the declaration of prin.
ciples enunciated in Independence
Hall that added q now member to the
family Of nations; tho marvellous
growth Of that young member, nd
vancing the first century of its exist
ence from thirteen TO thirty. eight
States, some Of which, in themselves,
have the proportions and resources
OF great empires; how its popu-
lation has increased from three to
nearly forty millions; the impression
II has already made upon the feelings
and sentiments OF the old nations-all
these are familiar, and need not be
presented on this occasion.
l have no inclination to vain glori.
ous boasting about our country as
compared with others. But one char.
acterislic OF America, and, as believe,
her GROWING glory, must DO per-
mitted to express, 10 wit: That the
mass Of her people, whilst engaged in
their daily and necessary pursuits, en-
Joy larger measure of personal COM
forts and dignity than those of any
other nation.
What all the forms of tho celebra.
ton may bc it is not for mo to at
tempt to forecast; but l must be in
duiged in the expression OF the belief
that tho proposed gathering OF the
people together from all sections, ming
ling aud comminging together, with
their hearts naturally open to the best
impressions, cannot fail to have the
happiest influence upon tho relations
between tho States and the
people. The inevitable tendency will
be TO beget higher degree Of iraler.
nifty amongst tho people. twill be a
time TO forget and forgive, and Tor.
ever to put away all that is unplcas-
ant in the past.
As for the othor branch Of tho cero-
monies, the exposition Of the natural
and artificial products Of the country,
and those OF all other nations, that
should be done on tho grandost scale
practicable. This will be expected of
The American people. Other nations
have been giving US useful lessons in
this work, and they will expect
Improvement on those lessons.
European nations would not excuse a
failure on the plea Of youth. But
their expectations of our country will
Os measured by her proportions.
II Is right, therefore, gentlemen,
that those who have this work in hand
should be moved by fair apprecia.
lion OF its magnitude, and of Tho re-
sponsibillies that will rest upon them.
The result will, in somo measure, in.
volve tho good name of our country
abroad, and TO the most sensitive de-
grcc will it involve tho self.respect
and pride of our own people. 1t has
been commenced, and IL must be car
ricd through on scale commensurate
with the dignity aud resources Of our
State and nation; and shame be 10
Tho man or tho Institution that fails to |
do n tull share to secure its lriumphal
auecasa .|.. ..