Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-01
INDIANA's GOVERNOR IN THE
SOTTH

of thethree Governors who attended the
Mecklenburg Centennial celebration at
Charlotte, N. G. On his way there he
passed through Louisville, Nashville,
Chattanooga, Atlanta, Augusta, Co
lumbia, traversing the States of Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and South
Carolina. At Charlotte he seems to
have been "the observed Of all OBJ
servers" according to the correspond
ent of the Cincinnati Commercial, who
says: "The lion of the evening was
the well known Indianian, Gov.
Hendricks. The crowd called for
him oftener and longer than
for any of the others. When he spoke,
he was listened to with profound atten-
ton. He has been the cen
tire of attention here; that is, there has
been more curiosity to see and hear him
than any other of the distinguished
gentlemen present"
As Gov. Hendricks is an ayowed as
p;rant for the Democratic nomination
for the Presidency, his views concern
ing the South and Southern men, as
formed during his recent trip, will
prove attractive reading to the South
ern'people. a correspondent of the Gin
cjnnGti Gazette interviewed him
at Indianapolis the day after
his return from Charlotte. The
Governor said that his first stopping
place, after leaving Louisville, was
Augusta, Ca, which he regards as one
of the prettiest cities he ever visited.
For an hour and half he rode through
broad avenues at least two hundred
feet wide, with rows Of shade trees in
the centre, arching overhead, and awalk
between them. Business seemed
to be lively and the people more pros
porous than he bad expected. His OBJ
servations were mostly confined, how
ever, to South and North Carolina.
He passed through them in the day
time, and a great majority of the peo-
pie he met lived there. Many parts of
the Carolnas he regarded as perfect
gardens, being under the highest state
Of cultivation, and the farm-houses
look neat and cozy. The out-buildings
are IN good repair, and the fences
nearly all up to the eight-rail stand
ard. He saw miles and miles
of new board fencing, as well
made as it ever is in the North. At
least twenty thousand people attended
the celebration at Charlotte. The
ladies did not constitute so large a
part of the audience as they generally
do IN the North on similar occasions.
Their style of dress did not differ ma
terially from what he was accustomed
to see in Indiana and Ohio. All were
dressed IN good taste. The most
noticeable and characteristic feature
Of the crowd was the cheer
fulness and good nature which
seemed to prevail. He saw very little
drinking and few intoxicated persons.
Near the place where the old log Court
house stood, in which the Declaration
Of Independence was read and ratified,
beautiful flag staff nearly one hun
dred and fifty feet nigh Lad been
erected. On its top was a
huge Hornets Nest" Twenty or
thirty hornets nests were carried about
on long poles, elicitiug patriotic shouts
wherever they appeared. Some of
them, he WIS informed, had been kept
for many years. The ScOteh-Irish
Presbyterians who settled Mecklen-
burg were very bitter in their opposi-
ton to the British authority. Hence,
the county was early called by some Of
the British officers "The Hornets
Nest" In abiding to the public men
who were present, he said:
"Gov. Vance is a very strong man, and
very popular among the common people Of
his State. They ali want 10 hear him
speak on every occasion, and during the
delivery of L. Grafton on this occasion
they were very demOnstTative. l don't
know Of any one in Indiana who has such
a hold upon the people Of this State, I'M
less il be Mr.. voorhees,, or who IS 50 able
10 sway them by the power Of his elOquence.
Gov. Vance IS a solid, well-built man, about
six feet tall, not feshy but handsome. His
face has very positive expression, like
that of a natural leader.
His estimate of Gov. Chamberlain,
of South Carolin-. 200, by the way, is
a ''carpet-bagger" and moderate Re-
publican, is as follows:
He is a small man, with a large fore
head, and sharp, well-cIt features. He is
a man Of wonderful energy and great
activity, aud so far as l could determine
has the confidence Of the people Of his
State, and was particularly struck with the
clear and accurate manner in which he
spoke. His Grafton was an able, SCHOLARLY
production, but too highly wrOught-tOO !
precise for a popular occasion. But his !
sentences were remarkably clear and aCcu- |
rate, showing him to be a careful and very /
thoughtful man. He referred in no way to /
the late rebellion or to present political |
affairs.
Other prominent participants in the
celebration were mentioned, as follows:
VIM. A. Graham. Of North Carolina, the
President Of the Celebration, was Secretary
of the Navy, believe, when was in Con-
gress in 1853. Judge Kerr, of the same
State, the first orator Of the day, was in
the House with me, and l remember
was beaten by the Know Nothiugs in 1854.
He is a man of great force, whose OTatOry
completely captivates the people. A Mr..
Bright, Of Tennessee, membeT-eleCt to Con-
gess, followed Judge Kerr with a very
elaborate and carefully prepared speech,
but his manner Of delivery was so different
that It was at least half an hour before he
could command the close attention of his
audience. GOV. Walker, Of Virginia, was
also present, and, as you know, is one OftEe
men in the country.
Upon the whole, Gov. Hendricks was
pleased with his visit and had no fears
Of a second rebellion"
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