Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-21
MEOKLENBURG.
The Charlotte Centennial Of May
20, 1875.

lSehucnCo E4uaEe-A Sketch VI
tie Procession, the Speeches and
the Banquet-The Grandest Demon.
stratiOn In North Carolina History.
CHARLOTTE, n. c., May 20.-The open
ing ceremonies of the centennial an
niversary of the Meclllenburg Declaration
of Independence was inaugUrated TO day,
The stores, dwellings and streets were dec
GRATED with Gags, flowers and eyergreens,
ard 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 hardly have been more aus
piclOus. By noon a numerous thr0ng had
gathered at Independence Square TO wit
ness the hOisting of the stars and stripes.
As the flag reached the summit of the pole
the band struck up the air ''The Old North
State" and enthusiastic shouts rent the air.
When the music ceased Mayor Johnston
addressed the assembled multitude in a
patriotic speech.
Gov. Bragden then delivered 4 brief
patriotic address, and welcomed in the
name of North Carolina and her citizens,
all the States to the celebration. At the
conclusion of the Governors speech, thirty
eight guns, representing the thirty-eight
States Of the Union, were fired, which
terminated the exercises.
The city to-day is well nigh filed with
visitors, many of them gentlemen Of dis
tinctiOn from North Carolina aud
with fremen and military dressed in their
uniform, flags are floating not only from
the buildings in the principal parts Of the
city, but from flagstaffs in different places,
and there is an air Of festivity abroad every
where. Every train which arrived last night
was crowded with visitors, thousands walk
ed the streets for the whole night, either
from choice or necessity.
Every house in the city is packed with
visitors, and it is estimated to-day that
there are not less than 10000 visitors pres
ent. The following programme was OBJ
served:
One hundred guns fired at sunrise, and
ringing of the city bells,
The procession formed at 9 A. NJ, march
ing through the principal streets Of the city,
under charge of the chief and assistant
marshals, in the following order:
Military companies, fire. companies,
Masonic lodges, Odd Fellows, Knights
of Pythias, Good Templars, Pa
irons of Husbandry, and cOuaty Orgaui-
cations, other associations Of the city,
county, State and citizens, press organiza-
tions.
The Centennial committee, accompanied
by bands Of music and their own special
banners, emblems and ensignia, in carri-
ages.
The Governor Of North Carolina, Gov
ernOrs Of ether States, United States Sen
stOrs and Supreme and Superior Court
Judges Of North Carolina.
The Mayor Of the city and other invited
guests.
The chaplain, orators and readers, ac-
companied by the committees.
The procession arrived at the Fair
Grounds at II A. n, and was over 4 mile
long, and nothing grsnder has ever taken
place on the soil of North Carolina. The
exercises at the Fair Grounds opened with
prayer, af-er which the Mecklenburg Decla-
ration Of Independence was read, followed
by an address by Hon. John Kerr, OF North
Carolina.
During his speech, Mr.. Kerr said:
"We are awaiting with anxious solici-
tude for the restoration Of such mutual con
6dence and fraternity between the aliena-
ted sections Of our country as will make the
old flag once more the emblem Of our
united, prosperous and happy nation. We
hail with ecstasy the recent tokens
of the subsistence Of hostility on
the part Of the Northern people,
and we honor with the sincerest tribute Of
gratitude and respect those among them
who, despite the several trials to which
their cOnstancy has been subjected, have
ever been true to us and the principles Of
their ancestors and our ancestors. Such
men are always needed to rescue sinking
nations, and to those heroic patriots Of the !
North pOsterity Will advert with the pro-
fOundest reverence, and will place
them in the category Of the
illustrious. The darkness is passing
away; the grey streaks Of morning are to
be seen in the east; Aurora will soon rise
and gild our future with resplendent lustre.
In view Of the approaching era of peace
and good feeling, It behOOves all patriots to
restrain their resentments and to cultivate
a wise, COnsiderate and patient temper,
discarding suggestions Of envy, hatred,
malice and all uncharitableneSS
At the conclusion Of Judge kerr's speech,
Hon. John NJ. Bright, Of Tennessee, made
one Of the most eloquent and impressive
speeches of the day.
At 3 p. N. a banquet was served.
The assemblage then adjourned TO the
city and a large cOncOUrse is now assembled
at Independence Square. Gov. Chamber
lain, Of South Carolina, Gov. Hendricks,
Of Indiana, Ex-GOv. Walker, Of Virginia,
Hen. II. NJ. Polk, Of Tennessee, Ex-GOv.
Vance. Of North Carolina, and Others are
speaking to acres Of people. There is i'm
nense enthusiasm and cheer after cheer
ends the air, amid the occasional discharge
1f sky rockets and other pyrotechnic dis
plays.
Altogether, the celebration has been the
TandeSt event which ever occurred in
except the original Declaration. /
Whatever doubts may have existed to the
of the Mecklenburg Declara- /
ion, the speeches ofthis O;casiOn, the grand
in honor of the traditions
3acredly guarded among an intelligent peO-
pie, have dispelled such doubts.