The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-21
MECKLENBURG CENTENNIAL,
Full Account Of it's Celebra'
ton.
Enthusiasm and Loyalty.

CHARLOTTE y. c., May 20. - The
opening ceremonies of the Centennial
anniversary Of Mecklenburg Declaration
of Independence was inaugurated to-day.
Stores dwellings and streets were decora-
ted with flags, flowers and evergreens
and great crowds gathered from different
places in this State and from South Caro-
lima, Tennessee and Virginia to unite in
the opening exercises of the Centennial.
The day could have hardly been more
auspcious. By noon Il numerous throng
had gathered ut indianapolis square to
witness the hosting of the stars and
stripes. As the flag reached the sum-
NIT of the pole, the band struck up the
air, "the old North State and enthusi-
u,tic shouts rent the air. When the music
ceased Mayor johnson addressed the as
bled multitude in patriotic speech.
Governor BrogIen then made brief
address, and welcomed in the name Of the
State of North Carolina the citizens Of
all States to the celebration. At the
conclusion OF the Governors speech
thirty-elght guns, representing the States
Of the Union, were fired, which tcrmi-
mated the exercises.
The city to-day is well nigh filed with
visitors, many of them gentlemen Of dis
tinction from North ,,arolna and other
States. The streets are filled with fire
men and military, dressed in their attrac
tive uniforms, and flags are floating,
not only from buildings in
the principal parts Of the city
but from the ilag stats in different places
and there is an air of fcstivity abroad
everywhere Every train which arrived
during the night was crowded with Wis
itors. and thousands walked the streets
for the whole night, either from choice or
necessity Every house in the city was
packed with visitors and it is estimated
that to-day there is not less than forty
thousand visitors present.
The following programme was observ-
ed during the day: One hundred guns
at sun rise and ringing Of city bells; pro-
cession formed ut 9 o'clock, a. m. and
marched through the principal streets of
the city, under the charge of chief and
assistant marshals, composed OF military
companies, fire companies, Masons,
Odd Fellows, knights of Pythias, Good
Templars, Patrons of Husbandry county
organizations. ether associations of the
cIty and county, State and citizens press
ORGANIZATIONS; various Centennial COM
mlttees accompanied by bands Of music
and their own special banners, emblems
and insignia In carriages was the
Governor OF North Carolina Governors
Of other States, United States Senators
and Supreme and Superior Court Judges
of North Carolina, the Mayor of the city
and other invited guests, the Chaplain,
orators and readers, accompanied by
committees The procession arrived ut
tho fair grounds at II o'clock A. NJ. The
procession maSsed over a mile long, and
nothing grander has ever taken place on
the soil of North Carolina The cXcr-
ciscs at the fair grounds opened with
prayer after which the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence was read,
followed by an address by the Hon. John
Kerr
During the speech Kear said: ave
are awaiting, with anxious solicitude,
for the restoration of such natural conf
dence and fraternity, between alenstcd
sections of our country, rs will make the
old ilag once more the emblem OF our uni
ted prosperous and happy nation. We
hail. with cCstacv the recent tokens of
subsidcncc Of hostility on the part
of the Northern people, and we honor
with the sincercst tribute Of gratitude
and respect those among them who, des-
pitc the severe trials 10 which their con-
stancv has been subjected have ever
been true, to the principles OF their an
ccstors and our ancestors. Such men
are always needed to rescue sinking ma
tons, and to those heroic patriots ofthe
North, posterity will advert with the
profoundest reverence, and will place
them in the category OF the lllustri-
Gus. The darkness is passing
away and the gray streaks of
morning are to be seen III the east. Auro-
ra will soon rise and gild our future
with resplendent lustre. In view Of the
approaching era of peace and good feel
ing, it behooves all parties to restrain
their resentments and cultivate 1t wise,
considerate and patient temper, dlscour-
aging suggestions Of envy, hatred,
malice and all uncharitableness.
Let US bury forever the irritating recol-
lectIons OF the dead past, deep beneath
that ocean on whose waves the halcyon
rests her downy bosom in taken Of tran
guilty and peace.
NASHVILLE, May 20.-The Mecklen-
burg centennial was celebrated with
spirit and enthusiasm Notwithstanding
the rain. At the agricultural fair grounds
west OF the city, eloquent patriotic
speeches were delivered by Ex-Governor
Neil :. Brown and VIM g. Bryan, Esq,
which were enthusiastically applauded.
They advocated the union Of the whole
country in sustaining the best govern
ment known among men. The Mayor
of the city, Hon. b. NJ Howell, read the
Mecklcnburg declaration of indepen-
deuce. Ex-Governor Foote, Governor
Porter and other distinguished gentle
men were present. The public schools
were closed The stars and stripes were
displayed all over the city. Many secret
societies held local celebrations Of their
own at places other than the fair grounds.
United Friends Of Temperance.