Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-21

rels Of the passing generation, culmi-
mating in fraternal war and the ieop-
ardizing Of free institutions, viii be
wiped from the book Of memory, so
far as they affect present or future ac-
ton The spirit Of Seventy. SIX viii
be abroad, our lettering fabric
OF freedom viii be replaced
more firmly upon the foundations
where the fathers laid it,and the coun-
try viii take a new lease Of liberty for
another hundred years. We will, so to
speak, close the old books, with their
blots and blunders, to open a new set,
Of virginia. pages. To accomplish these
results, the centennial year approaches
most OPPORTUNITY, and in order to Sc
cure It's fullest moral effect, the cele-
bration should be universal and spon-
taueous on the part of all the people.
A grand exposition may suit Philadel-
phia, but the smallest hamlet in the
mountains or on the plains should have
its celebrations. We care little for the
milionaires and pleasure seekers who
will grayitate to the cradle Of IndeDen.
dence; we care much for the bone and
sinew Of the land who cannot go there,
and whose h0mely fetes will be more
hearty and more patriotic.
On the same principle, in to-mor-
rows parade, we hope to. see an out
pouring Of the people-the mechanic,
the artizaD, the laborer in whatever
field. We would like to see a large
turnout Of those who walk through
life on foot, because they cannot afford
carriages. Republican simplicity is
what We seek, rather than the ornate
pageantry that mere money can buy.
We want the stout, strong hearts that
money cannot buy, whose fealty is
above all price. Let it be a gala-day
Of the whole people, and let Nashville
eclipse all former demonstrations in
solid numbers, rather than gilt and
tinsel.
After attending the services Of this
blessed Sabbath, young and old could
not perhaps do better, as a preparation
for the morrow, than to read over
thoughtfully the Farewell Address of
George Washington 10 his countrymcn.
issued Sept L, 1895, for the primary
purpose Of declining a third Presiden-
tial term, and IN which, as a parting
friend, be embodics some sentiment,
which are the result OF much raHec-
ton, Of no inc0nsiderable observations
and which appear 10 me all important
to the permaBency Of your felicity as a
people" The entire document should
be perused, as 1t contains not only
forebodings that have been sadly real
lied, but also warns against most Of
the dangers that now threaten US. As
incentive to a full reading, we trans
cribe few paragraphs. How aply,
for instance, the Radical policy Of sec
tional agitation is described in the fol-
loving:
In contemplating the causes which
may disturb our Union, It occurs as a
matter Of serious concern that any
ground should have been furnished for
cAaracteriziug parties by geographical
Observation-Disclosures and South
cTD-Atlantic and Western: whence
designing men may endeav0r TO excite
q belief that there Is a real difference
Of local interests and views. One Of
the eypedients Of party 10 acquire in
fueuce within particular districts, is 20
the opinions and aims Of
other districts. You cannot shield
yourself too much against the jealOusies
and heaTt-burnings which spring from
these misrepresentation; they tend to
render alien to each other those who
ought TO be bound together by fra
tenal affection.
With the possibility Of an extra ses-
SION Of Congress before rs, IT is time
that the Democracy. true to its tradi-
tions, should take this to heart, and
make tn country understand that,
while seeking to right the wrongs Of
West and South, It VIII impartiaIl7
the Just rights OF North and
East. We also should beware Of sec
in order that we may CO. ope-
rate with the Democracy Of the North
and East who are alike interested with
ourselves IN the preservation Of free
Institutions.
In referring to the baneful effects Of
mere paItiz m spirit, without regard to
country, Washington's Address de-
scTbes the condition to which Radical
ism has all but brought US, SO that if
Grant bepermitted to execute his plans,
the following picture will be completed:
The alternate denomination Of one
faction over another, sharpcned by the
spirit Of revenge natural to party dis
sensions, which. In different ages and
countries, has perpetrated the most
hoTTid enormities, is itself a frightful
Bat this leads, at length.
to a more formal and permanent des-
Dotism. The disorders and miseries
which result gradually incline the
minds of men to seek security and re-
pose in the absolute power Of an iudi.
yidual; and, sooner or later, the chief
Of some prevailing faction, more able
3r more fortunate than his competitors.
turns this disposition to the purposes
IF his own elevation on the ruins Of
public liberty.
The following extract shows that
foresaw other contincen-
lies also, having a closer bearing Just
low on US Of Tennessee.
As an important source Of strength
nd security, cherish public credit. !
)ne method Of preserving it Is to use
2 rs spayingly as possible, avoiding
occasion Of expense by cultivating I
.eacc, but remembering also that time |
y disbursements to prepare for danger /
reuuentlv prevent much greater dis |