Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-04-17
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rae MECKLEEBuRG CEETENNIAL.

General Joseph E. Johnston has been
selected to deliver the address at the
Mecklenburg Centennial celebration,
which takes place on the Goth OF May at
Charlotte, North Carolina. As the Neck
lenburg Declaration OF independents
was uttered more than q year before the
Philadelphia Declaration, and as gem
orally believed furnished ideas and in
~spiraiion for the latter, it is ~eminently
appropriate that ibe anniversary should
be observed in North Carolina and the
day recognized throughout the country;
and as the whole State Of Tennessee was
at one time territory Of North Carolina.
and as every county is largely composed
of the natiTe-born citizens or descend
ants Of those who came from that State,
we should feel an equal pride in the
glorious memories of that day. Ten
nessee is an ~overgrown daughter Of
North Carolina, having common
ancestry, the same traditions and dia-
lects. similar historic treasures and an
equal share in the fame of heroic Revo-
lutionary fathers. Under q resolution
of the General Assembly commissioners
we're appointed to attend this Centen-
MAJ. and We understand it is their pur-
pose to attend. Concerning the locality
of Charlotte the Philadelphia Times re-
marks: st is q notable fact that Char
lotte was the cradle Of Liberty and the
grave IF Rebellion. 1t was there that
the 6rst pronounced aspirations for
freedom found uttersnee q century ago,
aud it was there that the last cabinet
meeting and council Of war Of the re-
beIlion was held. There liberty was
first proclaimed, there Jefferson Davis
was last addressed as President Of the
Coufederacy, and there General Joseph
E. Johnston decided to surrender the
last formidable army Of the insurgents.
Near there some Of the memorable bat
ties Of the Revolution we're fought, and
altogether no one section Of our whole
country is more replete with historical
incidents relating to the birth. advance
meut and maintenance Of u free in
s~titutions." Many Of the descendants
and relatives Of the signers Of the
famous Declaration live in TENNESSEE
and cherish q proper pride Of theiI
ancestry. The heroes Of the Revolution
should not be forgotten. 1t is well il
such times as these to pause and look
back at the struggles, the fierce eneoun.
tets, privations and heroic endurance Of
those who secured for US the precious
heritage Of liberty and the right Of self
government. 1t may be profitable tC
draw comparisons and to Bquire whether
with all cur facilities for acquiring usefu.
knowledge and the comforts and refine
ments of life, the people are really more
Intelligent, virtuous and happy now thai
a hundred, or even fifty years ago.
whether true manhood and womanhoot
are kept up to the high old standard, OF
on the decline. II we heed not the les
sons Of history and the admonitions tina
come down directly from our own an
cestors who founded this government
lees than q century ago. then indeeI
must the conclusion be unfaYorable
The perpetuity Of our institutions and tn
very existence of the race itself depent
upon a rigid adherence to the principle
aad Jealous care ofthe rights which wer
so dear TO the men ofthe Revolution. TIL
youth OF the land should be- told ID
story Of their proves and their love Q
liberty. Their acts are fit to hold up a
bright and shining examples withou
going back to older nations and peoples
and the celebration proposed will hav
this effect and set allthe people to thinl
ing what great changes have bee
wrought in one single century. It /
gratifying to know that the old State i
thoroughly alive on the subject, and tina
this will doubtless be the grandest cele
l.ot;on :. a g.