Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-07-06

as follows, which speech we take from
the Appeal report of the meeting
THE DECLARATION OF IYDEPENDENOE
LADIES \ GENrLEMEN-Every ma.
ton has its plant. The seed sown ninety.
nine years ago is bringing forth matpre
fruit. This is the centennial era. when
a new nation, full grown aud perfert i
about to shed new luster upon the b;s.
tory Of the world. The promise Of III
erty and human progress, uttered at In
dependence Hall in l776, will be fulfilled
and exempliied at the same spot a YEA
hence, when the products, industries and
arts of thirty-eight States will be exhib-
tied 70 an admiring world Three nil
hon people, who thought they should and
OF right ought to be free, have increased
to forty millions of intelligent, prosper
Gus and happy people, including many
languages, lineages and creeds, but all
one nation by common patriotism, true
10 a common flag and equally jealous of
Us origin, its traditions and its future.
Inc men who set their names to this inn
mortal paper in the hour of peril and
doubt little dreamed of the magni6-
cent empire they were founding Its
enlarged boundaries, its developed
and ~undeveloped resources, martial
spirit in war and industrial a
ergy lG peace are themes that NAV
properly stimulate our pride and baye
TOR a generation challenged the wonder
and admiration of all civilized nations.
Emigration from this country is unknown
because It is the most highly.favored on
earth, while those who seek a home and
citizenship here are seldom drawn AWAY
even by the strong ties of kindred and
birthplace, AS we approach our CEN
t%ennial, may We not pause to look back
and see what grand strides have been
made IN less than a century, 1t is many
years since we Of the South stopped to.
read a Fourth Of July milestone; a gem
Grafton has grown up since, and its i'm
port IS almost lost in the eager pursuits
o. lie or the distraction Of civil war.
But the spirit of determination is abroad;
white-winged peace broods over and
plenty blesses the land; and we owe it o
the past, as well as those who come ate
US, to acknowledge our blessings, and
consider our responsibilities. The issues
that engaged those who laid wide and
deep the permanent institutions of this
favored land, are most solemnly and
eloquently set forth in the declaration
which have the honor to read.
Mr.. Mathes then, in a loud and clear
tone of voice, read the Declaration Of
Independence.
SPEECH MAKING, ETC
Major Joseph Barbiere, Centennial
Commissioner, was the next orator. He
delivered an eloquent and well timed
address, full of patriotic fire that filed
mems souls in the days of ITO. The
Major was loudly cheered at the close of
his appropriate remarks.
Centennial Commissioner B. B. Barnes
was the next speaker, and he %recounted
in brief a history Of the great struggle
for liberty INDUCED in by our illustrious
forefathers when they won liberty and
independence from Great Britain.
Colonel F. d. Stockton was called for,
and that gentleman appeared and ex-
pressed himself in a most felicitous
manner as to the great anniversary
which they we're then celebrating. Many
regrets have been expressed that Col.
Stockton, who made a very able speech,
refused to have it published.
Hon. 7. W. Avery was Rext intro
dnced, and was received with applause.
de gave a history of the manner in
which the glorious Fourth had been eel
ebrated in Memphis during the past
thirty three years, and referred with be-
coming pride to old Memphis days Of a
quarter o. a century ago.
Addresses we're also delivered BIZ
Judge I. W. Brown, G. P. M. Turner
and others, and the celebration closed
at IL o'clock amid a blaze Of fireworks
and a burst Of music from the band.
Long live the Fourth or fifth