The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-21

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The great success Of the celebration at
Charlotte yesterday, following, after month
interval, the equally successful celebrations
at Lexington and Concord, relieves US from
misgivings respecting the grand Centennial
of 1876, which viii not be local, but national
These recent demonstrations, in the South as
we'll as the North, attest an all-pervading M
tional pride and fervent spirit OF patriotism
which kindle into enthusiasm as occasions are
offered which render their proper exhibition.
We have not dissembled our deep anxiety
that the Mecklenburg Celebration should
satisfy public expectation, and our col
umns for the last month bear witness
that we have done all in our power to invest
it with interest Our zeal has been stirred
first, by genuine sympathy with the local
feeling in North Carolina; secondly, by con-
viction that these preliminary centennials are
by which the country may judge of the great
celebration next year; and, thirdly, and more
especially, by q feeling that the success of
these patriotic festivities at Charlotte would
be test of the interest of the South in the
great occasion which is beginning to attract
the attention of all civilized nations.
We feel greater satisfaction in the Meckien-
burg celebration than in Lexington, Concord
and Ticonderoga, because it has taken place in
the South and is q conspicuous proof that the
recent civil war has not quenched nor abated
the patriotic spirit of that section of the
country. The glorious memories of the Revolu-
ton are the strongest bond of union between
the North and the South, and we fervently
rejoice at the proof given yesterday that the
emulous patriotism of Carolina founded on
Revolutionary memories is not inferior to that
Of Massachusetts. How trivial is the recent
controversy respecting dates and documents In
comparison with this proof that our civil
war has not dimmed the fires of patriotism
The Centennial Celebration in North Carolina
deserves more credit than that in Massachu-
sets. Charlotte is not, like Lexington and
Concord, in the Immediate vicinity of great
cities like Boston and Lowell. 1t is not To-
Gated in densely populated section like East
ern Massachusetts. 1t had not the attraction
of the presence of the President and his Cabi-
net and the participation of literary men
known to fame. And yet its streets were as
thronged, its military and civic display as
imposing, and the success of its celebration as
great as that in the most densely populated
part of New England. This speaks well for
Southern patriotism. 1t proves that the spirit
Of our forefathers burns even more brightly
in Southern than in Northern hearts. II
shows that the South, in its unsuccessful at
tempt to secede, did not intend to desert the
principles Of the American Revolution. The
fact that the Confederate constitution was
copied almost word for word from
the constitution of the United States
proves that while aiming at geographical
separation they still cluug to the same polti-
cal principles which we're held by the founders
OF the Republic We hail the success of the
Mecklenburg Celebration, its great outpouring
Of people. rs pride in national memories, its
reverence for our Revolutionary fathers, its
satisfaction in Southern priority in efforts for
Independence, as the most auspicious and
healing event which has occurred since the
South laid down its arms in the spring Of
1865. We are now confident that the great
Centennial Celebration next year will restore
the harmony Of the Republic after the unfor-
tunate arrangement Of the last fifteen years.