New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-12
The Centennial Celebration,

Below We publish communication from
Colonel Robert Tyler, OF Alabama, to the
Governor OF Louisiana, concerning the
coming celebration at philadelphia. 1t is
admirable in tone. and contrasts strongly
with the nouthings Of Raphael Semmes.
who somehow got loose Oh tho centennial
question when speaking at memorial
meeting in honor OF Breckinridge. Colonel
Tyler's lineage is as noble as that OF the
Admiral; he is president Of the Alabama
State department of the Grangers' lnsur-
ancs Company. and joins heartily in the Oh.
iects Of the centennial meeting as means
of bringing about better feeling among
people of all States. and between States.
Colonel Tyler says:
MONTGOMERY, Ala, June 5, 1873.
Hon. william Pitt Kellogg, Governor of Louisians:
SIR--I deem it proper 60 take the liberty
to acIuaint you with the fact that the
board of finance Of the centennial celebra-
ton Of the declaration of independence at
Philadelphia has recently eent sne com.
mission by their OWE unsolicited action,
in which they have done me the honor to
appoint me centennial agent for the five
States of Alabama, Georgia. Mississippi,
Louisiana and Tennessee. No doubt the
spirit of this appointment should be con.
strued into al intention TO manifest a feel
ing of kindness and compliment toward
sonal merit recognized in myself.
But ! have accepted tho appointment
with pleasure. being convinced that the
managers Of the international exposition
and the Congress- of the United States have
designed the meeting at Philadelphia as
the celebration of q great national and his
tOFical event dear to us all. and that the
proposed gathering distinctly tends to cul.
tivate in favor Of peace. union and nation
ality. industrial progress and prosperity, q
sentiment of fraternity and reciprocity
among the co-equal citizens of all parts OF
our vast country. On carefully reading my
commission find that my principal duties
are: First-TO encourage such feeling
as has been above described, in forget
fulness, as far as possible, Of our re-
cent collisions, by turning tc the mem
cries of q glorious past in which we
all have an equal heritage, and to the
possess a common and most immediate and
commanding interest; second-tc induce,
20 the extent OF my ability, tho people OF
the States embraced in my sphere OF serv-
ice to take timely measures for an exhibi-
tiOn to the millions to be assembled at
Philadelphia in 1870 from all quarters OF
the globe, speciments of their mineral re-
sources, of their inventions and Of their
varied productions of soil and climate; and,
third-tO take subscriptions to the stock of
the centennial within the five States men.
toned. to certain limited amount, on the
part of the persons who may be willing to
subscribe, either from motives Of profit in
expectation of dividends or from those of a
less selfish and more purely patriotic char
acter.
l have regarded is as both personally
respectful and officially proper to communi-
cate to yourself, as Governor of Louisiana.
the facts and the objects of my appoint
ment, with feeling of confidence that you
will be prepared to lend with avidity what
ever assistance that may be in ysur power,
or in the scope Of your officee to promote SO
desirable and impressive an undertaking.
L shall be happy to hear from you upon the
subject at your earliest convenience. In
the meantime. remain, very respectfully.
your Obedient servant,
ROBERT TYLER.
Agent Centennial Celebration.