Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-09-01

loss in population of nearly two hundred
thousand.
But Massachusetts, has gained by immi-
grafton from abroad and from other States,
over the loss by emigration, $40, ga per-
sons. What an addition ~ the wealth Of
Massachusetts, what loss of wealth 10
Tennessee
What reproach to our statesman hip, is
the contemplation Of these facts We
should bow our head, ia humiliation, and
yet should resolve that the stain upon our
wisdom and patriotism shall be removed.
In the struggles and heats ofpoltical strife,
we have lost sight Of oar material interests.
We have been lRggard in the discharge Of
our social duties, and now are left far be-
hind by Ohio, and in some cases, by newer
communities, that with practical good sense,
or else blessed with greater good fortunes,
not rent and torn 10y the passions engen-
dered by our great civil war, have directed
their efforts to the building up of their in
dustries and the accumulation of wealth.
Let US resolve, gentlemen, that in the flu
ture we will unite the efforts Of men of all
opinions, without regard TO differences in
the past, for the work of establishing our
industrial systems upon u sure and firm
foundation, and IN accord with the great
laws that govern us rs social beings. Let
our industries be varied according
to the condition, and to meet the
wants of every locality Let our cot
ton, and wool, and leather be made into
fabrics at home, for the use of own people
and others. Let our mountains and hills
be forced to yield up their treasures Of
marble of iron and of coal. Let our great
marts of commerce be strengthened and
builded up; by demanding that the great
highway of the South shall be constructed,
and that the valley ofthe mighty Mississippi
shall be protected against invading floods.
Let the husbandman till his fields with re-
newed hope and energy, confident that he
will find consumers at home for all the
earth may bring forth,
Thus, gentlemen, we will be able to meet
the pressing demands that year by year
will be made, in .discharging the obliga-
tions that rest upon us, and sustained by
the elastic energies of a free democracy,
without regard to unpropitious bounties, to
defective revenue systems and faulty cur.
rcncy projects, we will be able to advance
the prosperity of the State, and secure hap.
ply homes for ourselves and for our chill
| drcn.
| Let us cease from our chickering's, and
| adopt "our policy as our politics" Never
| losing sight of the cardinal principles OF
| the Constitution and the great fundamental
| laws that underlie our system of govern
ment, let us learn to tolerate differences Of
| OVlUlOu anu TtCUEulLe the ldCl ludb We hIt
| all Tenncsseeans-all interested in the fu-
ture of our beloved State.
| And now, as the Centennial of the Re.
public begins TO dawn upon US, let us offer
as sacrifice upon the altar of our com
mon country, and and if for no nobler pur.
pose for the sake of common interest, al
the hates and bitterness forged in the fierce
conflict, and kindled into n burning heat il
the flames of civil war.
This is now, and to be for all time, on,
country. Here will be our homes, and the
homes of our children. Our mother, Ten
nessee, needs the brain and the muscle, thu
energy and enterprise, and above ALL tn,
wisdom and moderation of all her sons
We have nothing to gain in Christian
charity, in fraternal love, in material pros
perity or national stability by nursing tn
feelings that gave birth to the struggle, o
cherishing the animosities begotten in tn
dread hour of battle. Let US forgive ant
forget.
All, no. we can not forget the achieve
ments of the brave men who, falling upoi
the field of battle, won for themselves AM
their country imperishable fame. We hav
n common pride in their names, immortal
lied by great actions; whether they wor
the blue or gray, their fame is the heritag
of the whole people.
As tribute to their value and mani,
virtues, and in token of our reconciliation
we will erect a cenotaph at the capital O
our State, TO tell to our children througl
all coming time the story of their con
stancy, their courage and their heroi
| deeds