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


Tarborougn IN ca hook anu Ladder Company.
Stonewall Fire Company, Charlotte, N. G.
Pioneer Fire Comp. ny, Rockniil.
Hook add Lauder Company. from York s. @.
Greensboro N. o. Fire Company.
Charlotte Hornet FIRE Company.
British sloop Diligence lTd5), rom Wilmington.
Salem IN. c. Cornet Band.
Masonic Bodies.
Lodges OF Good Tempars.
The CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.
Arson county Delegation, with Banner
Allegiance Ceases wnen Protection Is
The Survivors OF Company II. Tnirry-nltn
North Carolina Troops.
Cleveland county Delegation, with Banner,
inscribed -
'@' "cievsiaad. Shelby. Kins's Meadow,
OCTOBER T. $780,"
Patrons Of HusDandry, headed BY Columbus
Grand Master State Grange.
Cornet Band.
Raleigh Light Infantry as Guard OF Honor to the
Speakers.
The Invited Guests
Carriages, containing, among others. Governor
William A. Graham North Carolina; ex-Governor
Gilbert G. walker, OF virginia; Hon. A. 81. Kelley.
n MAYER q Moses sSath Cssona
Ii. N. Davidson, OF Tennessee: Judge SETTLE and
Associates North Carolina supreme Court; General
Thomas l.. CIugman and Colonel John Il.
Next came delegation OF scotcamen from Cum
/ Flora McDonad's devoted loyalty, with bagplpes
and Tanner Win non rampant Ia centre and the
Scotcn thistle at each corner and clLlzens gen.
orally in q vast multitude.
the cad or the procession had reached the Fair
Grounds, mile distant, wnen the rear starred.
Entire order was maintained notwiths tanding the
vast crowd.
Tne speakers stand, specially erected Tor the
occasion was occupied by The Centennial officers,
the reader OF the Declaration. orators and invired
guests. 1t was adorned also by the presence OF a
numper OF ladies'
THE ExERCIsEs.
Ex-Governor William A. Graham opened the ex-
ercises in brief out eloquent speech. Then the
Mecklenburg declaration OF May 20, TITS, was read
by William ssaton Gales, Of Raleigh. aud received
with immense enthusiasm. Governor Granam
was succeeded ~
TEE ORATOR or THE DAY.
Hon. Joan Kerr, wno was selected by the Cen
tennlal Association deliver the Mecklenburg
GRAFTON. Is, though native oi Virginia, one OF the
most distinguished citizens OF North Caronna-
He Is ABOUT sixtythree years OF age IL the SON OF
the Rev. Jonn Kerr. OF Virginia. who was for
many years q Representative In Congress from
tnsi State. and was regarded while living one
or the greatest orators OF his day. His son, in
heriting In o marked degree the eoquence OF bis
iather moved 10 Casmell county, North Carolina,
while very young, where he began the practice OF
law about 1881 or 1882. since which time he has
occupied several positions OF honor ana trust
IN The State. He represented Caswell county
In the Legislature Tor q number OF terms and
was elected 10 Congress about 1886 or 40, where
he served with great distinction. He was after
ward elected Judge. which position he Oiled With
marked ability Tor lengthy period prior TO the
war During the term from 1861 to 1866 ne re-
mainod at his home In the practice or his profess
sion, which he continued until last lall, when he
was again elected Judge or the Seventh Judicial
Circuit OF the State. His selection as orator IS
due 70 his great literary ability, his rare elo
quence and his patriortc and distinguished SER
vices TO North Carolina. After AN Introduction TO
the audience Mr.. Kerr spoke as follows:-
Mr.. KERRs GRAFTON.
Ny FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN-It has been said
"that the glory Oh our ancestors 10 me lght Of
their poseri.y.m We recognize this truth on this
&C ion OF our fathers, we hail on It's centennial
return with hearts fual OF grantude TO tue great
when led them 10 take the lead IN the mighty
movement from WINCH sucE rich blessings have
flowed 10 US and TO the world.
we nave come together now for the laudaDle
purpose OF conseeratnK anew the day and
nberty-tne nundI edth anniversary OF tnat day on
winch our iathers declared independence oil the
British government, and the place where the nrst
altar was erected to which the champions OF q dis
tlnct American nationality were invited TO come
and Lrlng their offerings. l stand not here as
has no cause now pending to need such SER
vice. Possessed in iuil proprietary right OF the
honor OF having been the first ~ he thirteen colo
MES 10 declare Independence Of British control
QUE beloved state dlsdains at this late day to put
herself into court to recover what she already
Joys Here she stands to-day, on this august
FESTIVAL, In the impressive fulnegs Of her modest
dignity rejoicing in the honest fame OF her sons
woo 80 brightly Illustrated her annals. and she
has come with o true mothers unfafling affection
70 ara IN IN parting add,tional force OF perpetuity
able hand 10 relume the ores they once ktnuled
here, ana 70 inpArt new impulse 10 the princl.
fEkE an1
Tor which many OF them died In battle. She
meets here with gledness aud ereeB with most
VINO nave come up 70 rejoice with her Sous
on Tits great. day. and while she claims
which belongs to them sue has not one word 10
utter Ia deroyatlon OF tue Just claims OF Others
records OF the past. such influences rs actuated
our North Carolina ioreiathers are OF divine
cahiIes. 1ne spirit Of God moves at times upon
tue nations, Us In tue beginning He moved upon
the nce o. tne waters, and AMID tue deepest
say Let there be light, ana there IL llaht.- All
VINO nave road ana tnougnEfully dgestcd the les
aon OF history must have been gtruck with the
fact that tue great discoveries IN science and the
events when marx the eLocas OF new departures
ment seemed to be the easy and surprising results
OF previous inadequate prUxmate causes, tneEn-
selves COZ shutting extreme Hnks Uf cnnin OF
special providence OF GUd.
rhe earnest spirit OF research necessary to new
discoveries in science mas been usually iound u
actuAte d.rerent minds &C toe same time ia dtl-
ierens am very dis tant Localities.
When kepler, Eranknn aud Leverrier we're
eacn pursuing lnvestlk ations winch to MIN
self seemed entirely new aud hitherto unthouQht
o., other minds q congenIal structure. In other
portions OF the world were iollo sing the same
course and approxlnating the same great ent !.
so N reference 70 zoe great upheavlnes or polit-
cal c0nI1unltle1 when nave marked tne Gistory
uf our race they nave been the fruits OF a splrl,
w.rxlng mignsly o. one sad ibe same lme ln
different lattudes and upon dl6erent people,. lt
is. as believe, to the fUrce Oh this great rnfh ia
PHILOSOPHY tEat "a are 10 look Il i the ultima te
iun meat Of tne hopes 81 the true phliant nrUplst
IN the dellverAnee VI nations IRON tbs
OF war sud tbaig Testerauuh 70 peace, unit1
ana ualgsrsI vroskssh' cd. lhs 9psfaiiona df