Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-22
SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CENTENNIAL

At the solicitation of the editor of the
New York Herald, Governor Chamberlain
has written letter to that paper on the sub
iect of the representation of South Carolina at
the International Exhibition to be held at
Philadelphia next year. The Governor thinks
there is at the present time a widespread and
genuine interest felt by the people of this
State in the Centennial, but from causes which
need not now be stated little has yet been
done toward practical expression Of this in
terest. The Governor says: "1t is but just to
say that no State has better right to appear
there than South Carolina upon the score of
her Revolutionary record. She was early
and constant in her adherence to the colonial
cause; her soil was the scene of numerous
conflicts, and her partisan leaders supplied
one of the most brilliant chapters in the great
struggle. A high authority has declared that
the romance of the Revolution was found in
the Carolinas' These early glories are again
appealing to US all. Nowhere is it truer than
here that the chords of memory are touched
BY the angels of our better nature and are
responding in tones unfamiliar to our ears in
more recent times" and concludes as follows /:
TO one point I am glad to bear witness,
namely. that if there is want of present pro-
gress in the work here, or if South Carolina
shall finally fail to be properly represented at
Philadelphia, this result will not arise from
the Indifference Of the people at large nor es-
pecially from any sulenness Of spirit or hos
tility toward the Centennial celebration, but
it will be occasioned by other causes, which it
is easier to understand here than to adequate
ly state to the country. My hope and belief,
however, is that before the great occasion
comes on we shall have devised ways and
means to present the proofs of the past, pres
ent and future character and greatness of our
State when America shall meet at Philadel-
phia to take note of the results of the first
completed century of her national life. The
object is so grand and inspiring, that no State
will he found wanting, especially one OF the
"Old Thirteen" Very respectfully,
D. H. CHAMBERLAIN,
Governor of South Carolina.
Commenting upon the letter of Governor
Chamberlain, the Herald editorially remarks:
awe fear that the means of South Carroll
bear but slender proportion to her patriotic
good will While she is rich in Revolutiona-
~ memories and distinguished names, the mis-
government of recent years has left her poor
in resources. But the wealth of State is no
criterion of its patriotism and valor. The
countrymen of Wallace or of Tell would not
have made all imposing figure in Centennial
exposition of art and industry, and South
Carolina may rival either of them in the poet
~ of heroism. Where in our Revolutionary
history can we look for parallels to her Sum.
ter and her MarionS Bryant's noble song OF
"Marion's Men" is one of the many spirited
things inspired by the romance Of South Car
olinas part in the Revolution
Well knows the fair and friendly moon
The band that Marion leads
The glitter of their rifles,
The scampering of their steeds.
The Draytons, Pinckneys, Rutledges, Mid
dletons and Gadsdens were men OF high
culture and statesmanlike views, as we'll as