The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-10-24
Centen,,ial Considerations.

The Phiiadelphians devote themselves
with unlimited zeal TO the purpose OF "a %
grand centennial celebration on the ath Of
July, 1876. Everybody could enter heartily
into the matter.but for certain considerations,
which may be briefly stated thus:
1st.. Independent publicanism, in its
character OF freedom and security to the citi-
zen, and the harmony and justice of that
federatiyc feature Incorporated in the Con-
s,ltu:ion for The protection of the States, Is
weiI-nieh dead. II the 4tb Of July is to be
celebrated for anything, it is to be celebrated
for having given US the aforementioned bless.
ings, which In less than hundred years
have been taken from us.
cd. II we have thus lost the chief bless
ipps which would make us DESTROYS to cele.
brate the day, Philadelphia has been among
the most conspicuous of those communities
which have warred upon the Constitution
and deprived the nation of what would
make Us happy to hail their centennial an
niyersary. Therefore, she should be among
the last to xoect those upon whom she has
helpcd to place chains and make caDtives to
join in hymns OF JOY and thanksgiving for
blessing, she has done so much to take from
them and
Sd. As Philadelphia has done so much to
destroy the Constitution which was born of
the spirit of '7G, and bequeathed US by our
noble republican forefathcrs, she can have
no true reverence for them and their deeds
in the proposed centennial celebration.
Therefore she is moved by some other mo-
tive, and we arc forced to conclude that it
must be money-making, mere sord!dness.
For these reasons the world can see little
in the centennial patriotism OF the city OF
PENN. Nor can there be any respect for her
professions until she affords some better
proof of real repubicanism and disintcrcst-
ed public spirit. Can she do this!
If Philadelphia and if Pennsylvania In
their elections prior to 1876 show their de-
yoiion to the Constitution, and their abomi-
nation for the bad measures which laid the
Constitution in the dust, and brought op-
preston and decay upon large portion OF
the Union-if they will show their readl-
ness to.help to bring back the Constitution
the ark of the covenaut-to its true resting
place; restore The local and State authority;
give the nation peace, harmony, and pros
pcrity, then we. should not only have good
reason TO celebrate the centennial, but for
celebrating it in Philadelphia.
If this only true proof of Philadelphia's
sincerity be given We shall have a double
rea, on for making the proposed celebration
hearty and unanimous. The day would be
doubly dear, as we would have the double
reason to celebrate it-firSt, as the original
anniversary Of our now lost liberty, and, Sc
cond, as the day on which we would cee-
brate its recovery.
So let the once.caled ''key.stonc" of the
national arch give Us but this proof, and We
shall be too happy to make Philadelphia the
national Mecca on the centennial day-the
Ieopie could there, indeed, pour out the
ovcrruuning joys Of their souls amidst the
places len lered classic by the trials and yir-
tues and heroism of our forefathers, and feel
once more that they were in the guardian
ship OF worthy descendants Of an illustlious
ancestry.
But if there is no restoration Of lost rights
al d no rescue Of the land from base and
corrup. rulers, and if Philadelphia remains
the supporter Of all the monStrous outrages
upon The Constitution and the pure Govern
ment left US by our ancestors of 'IG, we
want nothing 10 do with any centennial
celebration, and least of all cities could we
tolerate such celebration in Philadelphia. 1t
would be heartless, sordid, money-making
affair, that could but excite the disgust of
all intelligent people.