Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-06

that thrOng the threshold Of the subject, an
anniversary always memorable, but to-day
rejoicing in a growth and history, that,
dating from It's early DAWN has WithstOOd
the test and conflict, physical and moral, of
a full century. Il would seem as IL the
mighty machinery moved by the Divine
Hand had beefl adjusted to meet the neces-
sites of The time. Scarcely ten years have
dragged by since the war, years weighed
| down by memories, years enYirOned bY
! difficulties, only less than war itself When
the centennial Of the great event ushers in
our national birth-time-ctOWd upon us
events honorable alike to oar common an
eestry, events that bring to mind the years
and tolls when the fortunes of the colonies,
North and South were first united.
"When MecklenbUrg echoed back the
call OF Lexington with no uncertain sound,
when at the first notes Of alarm from tire
North, the resistless elOqUence Of Henry,
swept over the barriers of colonial allie
glance, when the great Virginia general left
his home on the Potomac and hastened 10
the aid Of Massachusetts. And what a les
son there is in the welcome Boston has
just given-a hundred later-tO Filzhugh
Lee and his friends from the South, q vel
come not soon to be forgotten, nor will
New England soon forget the generous re- /
spOnses that answered the welcome. Surely |
the memory of our revolutionary struggles, /
is having its part in Che Divine plan that is |
beginning to bring reconciliation and |
peace. Dark aud rugged as has been the |
way, in the fullness Of His own good time. |
He maketh light to shine. And peace TO |
us is a gift crowned with more blessings /
than fall to the lot Of any earthly power or
prineipality. Look al the ornaments Of /
Europe in these days Of seemingly pre-
found peace. Here meager outline Of a
standing army is sufficient for the honor
and protection Of forty millions of people.
Yet Germany, Russia, France and
Austria are each taxed with the
support Of peace establishment Of 50O,-
900 soldiers, and other continental power
ia like proportion. These vast masses Of
soldlery are enlisted from the youth ard |
strength of its population into a compu,-
sOry military service Of from five TO fifteen |
years. Instead Of applying themselves to
domestic duties and the peaceful indus
tries that make up so largely the sum Of
human happi ness, their best years are spent |
IN learning the desOlating arts of war.
What glory there is in the isolation Of
America and its freedom from all the politi- |
al complications that ever hang over the
Uneasy crowns Of Europe, What argument
or the unity OfOur States, ,hedged about and
bound around as is the great Western Con-
inent Of ours, remote from disturbing ele-
nents, impregnable by nature. Upon
yhOsOeyer shoulders rest the faults of the
'ast, and whatever were the dreams Of sep
ration and change in the years not long
,One by-shall We not hope that this nm
liyided inheritance-this legacy Of terrific =
ial unity-will ever remain to our latest
Osterity? Remembering In the language
{ inspiratian, that 'Sne generation passeth
way, another generation cometh, but the
arth abideth forever"
After hearty round Of applause, and
lOre music by the band, eX-GOy. Neill ).
'rOwn took the stand. Gov. Brown pre-
lced his remarks by saying that he
lOught he could add nothing material TO
That had already been said. lie alluded
D an appropriate manner 10 Gen. FitZhugh
.ee'S reception in Boston, and expressed
luch qualification at it. lie eulOgized our U
lllant old fOrefathers who had courage
nOugh to declare their Independence in :
he face of the world, the result Of which |
AL been the establishment Of this great
)veTnment. The fourth Of next July
Ould end the great chapter Of
" years from the birth Of this govern
ent. The speaker then alluded in fitting
rms to the resources Of the State and to =
le orators and statesmen she had pro
lced. The people should cultivate
iendly feeling, and strive 20 subdUe all
ejudice. They should shake hands across
e bloody chasm; he fOI one had always
,en willing to do this. The speaker next
luded TO the Centennial exhibition, and
id the State should be thoroughly repre-
nted. III
When he had concluded loud calls were
ade for Capt. Sam DOnelsOn, when that
ntleman took the stand and made a few
remarks. The band then gave r
other selection and the crowd began %
sperse for their homes.