Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-21

! NashVEIIe's Celebration OF the Neck
IenbuFg CentenniaI-The Turnout
Slim, and No Enfhusiasm-Address
by EX-GOV. NeilI :. Brown and w.
q. BFien, Esq.
The Mecklenburg centennial celebration
/ at the Fair Grounds yesterday was not so
/ largely attended as had been anticipated
| Doubtless the rain in the afternoon kept
/ many away but even before that time the
| crowd was very small. The public schools
/ were closed at half past 10 o'clock and
| many Of the boys took advantage Of the
| opportunity to get out Of town. Some Of
| them made a good deal Of noise by rum
ming up and down the steps Of the amPhi-
theatre while the addresses were going on,
and had to be repeatedly requested 10 be
quiet.
Bot few ladies gaced the occasion with
their presence, and the procession was al
utter failure, none at all having been
formed. Very few, if any, Of the business
houses were closed up, and the UNION AND
AMERICAN reporters saw but i've or six
flags UufuTled to the breeze.
At half-past II o'clock, Mayor Howell
opened the exercises at the Fair Grounds By
reading the Declaration Of Independence
adopted at Charlotte, Mecklenburg county.
\. c., May 20, l775:
]. Resolved, that whOSOever directly OF
indirectly abetted, or in any way, form, OT
manner COuutenanced the UnChartered and
dangerous invasion Of our rights, as
claimed 10y Great Britain, is an enemy 10
this country, to America, aud to the i'll
heTent and Iualienabie rights Of man.
,. Resolved, that we, the citizens Of
AlecklenbUrg county, do hereby dissolve
the political bands which have connected
us to the mother country, and hereby alb
solve ourselves from all allegiance 10 the
British crown. and ALLURE all political CON
uectiOn, contract, or association with that
nation, who have WantOnly trampled on
our rights and liberties, and inhUmanly
shed the blood Of American patriots At
Lexington.
3. Resolved, that we do hereby declare
ourselves a free aud independent people:
are, and Of right ought TO be, a sovereign
and selt-gOverning association, under the
control of no power other than that Of our
God and the general government Of the
Congress, 10 the maintenance Of which in
dependence we sOlemnly pledge 10 each
other our mutual cooperation, our lives |
our fortunes, and our most sacred honor.
4. Resolved, that as We now acknOwl- !
edge the existence aud control Of no law or |
legal officer, civil or military, within this |
country, we do hereby Ordain and adOpt as |
a rule Of life, all, each, and every of our |
former laWs-wherein, nevertheless, the |
Crown of Great Britain never can be con-
sideTed as holding rights, privileges, i'm |
munities, or authority therein.
.. Resolved, that it is further decgeed |
that all, each, and every military officer i'm /
this country is hereby reinstated in his |
former command and authority, lie acting /
cOnfOrmably to these regulations; and that /
every member present Of this delegation 1
shall hencefUr.h be a civil officer viz: a /
Justice Of the Peace, in the character Of a
Committeeman" TO issue process. hear.
and determine all matters Of controversy.
10 said adopted laws, and 20 pre-
serve peace, union, and harmony in said
country; and to use every eXertiOn 10 spread
the love Of country and IRE Of freedom
throughout America, until a more general
and organized government be established
in this province.
Mayor Howell .hen introduced to the as
eX-GOv. Neill S. Brown. In
opening his remarks, eX-GOv. Brown paid
a fit tribute to the people of Mecklenburg
county, who had been courageous enough /
TO declare their Independence in the face Of
The world. II was the first declaration of
American independence, and the echoes Of
its thunder reverberated throughout the
land. He spoke in an interesting manner
IF the rise and progress of the country,
iwelt at some length on the prosperity that
awaited it in the future, and closed with |
what he said he had adopted as his motto:
"A union Of lakes, a union Of lands,
A union that none can sever;
A union q hearts, union of hands
The American Union forever"
The next speaker was w. G. Brien, ESQ.
Who was also introduced by Mayor Howell. |
Mr.. Brien'S remarks were very appropriate
o the occasion and were received with
marked favor by his auditors. At the con-
.UsiOn Of his address, Mayor Howell an |
bounced that those present would be at
liberty to amuse themselves as they might /
eel disposed. This ended the exercises,
nd as a heavy rain DOW began 10 fall. a
ush was made for Sandy COckreITs dinner
able, and barbecue, boiled ham and every
hing in the way OF edibles was discussed
Nth sharp appetites.
2 he younger portion Of those on the !
rounds amused themselves for the rest OF
be afternoon with foot races, base .
all, etc, l