The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-05-20
BY !. TELEGRAPH.
THE MECKLESBURG CENTENNIAL,
PRELIMINARY EXERCISES YESTERDAY
VISITORS WELCOMED BY THE MAYOR
AND GOVERNOR--ARRlyAL OF RICH
MOSD MILITARY
Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch !

Especial telegram 10 the Dispatch j
CHARLOTTE, N. c., May 19.--The centen-
NAL celebration was fairly inaugurated to-
day, although the regular exercises do not
begin Until Tomorrow. Atleast 10000 visit
ors are already here, and every train swells
the number, while many more are expected
by regular and special trains Tomorrow. At
this rate Charlotte will be taxed beyond
its capacity to entertain the crowd.
The whole place wears a gala air. Nearly
every house is adorned with figs aud fes-
tooned with eyergreens, and tonight the
illuminations are beautiful beyond expecta:
ton. At noon there was grand gathering on
Independence Square to witness the raising OF
a fig in commemoration of the assembling
of the convention which adopted the Meek.
leEburg Declaration. twill be remembered
that this body met at noon on the 10Th of May
although the resolutions were not passed un.
til the following day. As the stars and
stripes flew to the top OF tall pole crowned
with the largest hornets nest that could be
found in North Carolina there was great
cheering, and Il salute Of thirty.eight guns
was fired by the Raleigh artillery company.
Colonel William johnson, Mayor Of Charlotte,
then introduced Governor Brogden, who made
an appropriate address, and the exercises
were closed with patriotic airs by the bands.
In the afternoon there was no preacranged
programme connected with the centennial
celebration, but visitors seeking amusement
were entertained by cock-tight and races
at the fairgrounds, which proved rather
dull sport. The event Of the night
WAS the arrival of Il battalion of the
First Virginia regiment from Richmond,
under Captain J. V. Bidgood. The boys had
suffered tedious ride following an almost
sleepless ight, but excellent discipline WAS
observed, and as they lett the cars the line
was formed with credtaOle prec iSion
They marched short distance from
the dcI0., and were there met by CON-
mttee of citizens and delegation from the
military and fire companies. DR.. Thomas
J. Moore, on behalf of the people Of Char
lotto, then made cordial address of well
come. Captain Bidgood gracefully replied,
| bit pleading the fatigue Of travelling called
| upon Captain J. B. Purcell to express more
| fully the sentiments of the visitors.
| Captain Purcell did so in speech
OF much feeling very pleasingly delivered,
and received with much applause. The liue
of march was then resumed and the batta-
lion marched through the illuminated streets
to their camping. ground, receiving cordial
| welcome on all sides and eliciting many
| compliments for their soldicrly bearing
The Howilzer company is expected during
the night.
| EX Governor Hendricks, Of Indiana, has
arrived, and is the guest of Ex-Governor
! Vance.
MEMPHIS. May 19.-In accordance with
| the proclamation Of Governor Porter setting
apart tomorrow as u holiday in h)nor OF The
| McckIenburg centennial, Mayor League ha;
issued Il proclaim ttion requesting suspen
sion of business and an observance OF th'
| day.