The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-21
McckIenburg CentcnnInI.

| CHARLOTTE, \, T., May 2O.-The open.
ing ceremonies Of the centennial anniver.
sary Of the Mecklenburg Declaration Of
Independence was inauguratcd yesterday.
The stores, dwellings and streets were
decorated with flags, flowers and ever.
greens, and great crowds gathered from
different places in this State and from
South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia,
to unite in the opening exercises Of the
centennial. The day could hardly have
been more NuSpiciOus. BY noon nu.
mcrOus thrOng had gather at lndopen.
dence Square to witness the hosting Of
the Stars and Stripes. As the ilag reached
the summit Of the pole the baud struck
up the air "ThG Old North State" and
enthusiastic shouts rent the air, When
the music ceased Mayor johnson address.
cd the assembled multitude in patriotic
speech.
Governor Brogden then made n brief
and patriotic address, and welcomed, in
the name Of North Carolina, the citizens
Of all the States to the celebration.
At the conclusion OF the Governors
speech thirty.eight guns, representing the
States OF the Union, were fired, which
terminated the exercises.
The city to-day Is filled with visitors,
many Of them gentlemen Of distinction,
from North Carolina and other States.
The streets are filled with iiremen and
military dressed in their attractive uni
ferns. Flags are floating not only from
buildings in the principal part Of the city,
but from Ilagstatis in different places,
and there Is an air Of festivity abroad
everywhere. Every train which arrived
during the night was crowded with visit.
Ors, and thousands walked the streets for
the whole night, either from choice or
necessity. Every house In the city Ia
packed with visitors, and 1t Ia estimated
that to-day there are not less than 10000
visitors present.
The following programme was observed
during the day: One hundred guns at
sunrise and the ringing Of the city bells;
procession formed at 0 o'clock A. NJ, and
marched through the principal streets Of
the city under charge Of the chief and
assistant marshalS; military companies,
local fire companies, various Masonic
lodges, Odd Fellows, Knights Of Pythias,
Good TcmplarS, Patrons Of Husbandry,
the various centennial committees, nc.
companicd BY bands Of music and their
own special banners, emblems and CnSigns.
In carriages were the Governor OF North
Carolina, Governors Of other States, Uni.
ted States Senators, the Supreme and
Superior Court Judges Of North Carolina,
the Mayor Of the city and other invited
guests, including the chaplain, orators
and readers The procession arrived at
the Fair Grounds at II o'clock. II was
over n mile long, and nothing grandGr
has ever taken place on the soil Of North
Carolina. The exercises at the Fair
Grounds were opened with prayer, after
which the Mecklenburg Declaration Of
Independence was read, being followed
by All address by Hon. John Kerr.
During his speech Mr.. Kerr said ::
We are waiting with anxious solicitude
for the restoration Of such mutual conf.
dCncc and fraternity between the alien.
nted sections Of our country As will make
the old flag once more the emblem OF our
united, prosperous and happy nation.
We hail with ecstAcy the recent tokens Of
subsidcncC Of hostility on the part Of
the Northern people, and We honor with
sincere tribute Of gratitude Of respect
those among them who, despite the severe
trials to which their constoncy has been
subjected have been true 10 the princi-
pies Of their ancestors and our ancestors.
Such men arc always needed TO rescue
thinking nations, and to those heroic pa.
triots Of the North posterity will advert
with the profOundest reverence, and will
place them In the category Of llustrious
Patriots. Darkness Ia passing away; the
grey strCnks Of morning nre t0 be seen in
the east, aud Aurora will sOon rise and
giId our future with rcsplcndcnt lustrc.
ln view Of the approaching erN Of peace
aud good feeling It bchoovCs all patriots
to restrain their rcscntmcnts and culti-
vatc n wise, considcrate and patient
temper discarding suggestions OF envy,
hatred, malice aud all uncharitablcncss.