Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-23
CENTENNIAL PREPARATIONS
Correspondence Between Col RObt
Tyler, Centennial Agent, and Gov
ernOr POrter-The Right Kind of Sen
tIments From Both.

eEuuE hAuN Oh sen
tIments From Both.
The following correspondence has Just
taken place, in pursuance of the appointment
of Col. Robt. Tyler, of Montgomery, Ala, as
Centennial Agent for five OF the Southern
States:
MONTGOMERY, ALA, June p, 1S75.-
Hon. James D. Porter, Governor Of the
State Of TenneSsee-SiT: l deem it proper
TO take the liberty to acquaint YOU
with the fact that the Board of FL
nance of the Centennial Celebration
at Philadelphia have recently sent me com
mission by their own unsolicited action,
in which they have done me the honor to
appoint me the Centennial Agent for the
five States Of Alabama, Georgia, Mississip-
pi, Louisiana and Tennessee. No doubt the
spirit Of this appointment should be con-
strUed into an intention 10 manifest a fee
ing Of kindness and compliment toward our
people rather thantO any personal merit rec
Ognized in myself. But have accepted the
appointment with pleasure, being con-
WINGED that the manasers Of the Interna-
tiOnai Exposition and the Congress of the
United States have designated the meeting
at Philadelphia as a celebration of a great
national and historical event, dear to US
all, and that TIE proposed gathering dis
timely tends to cultivate in favor of peace,
union and nationality, industrial progress
and prosperity, a sentiment Of fraternity
and reciprocity among the CO-equal citizens
Of all parts of our vast country.
On carefully reading my commission /
find that my principal duties are
l. To encourage such a feeling as has
1. L -
far as possible of our recent collisions
by turning to the memories
of a glorious past, in which
we all have an equal heritage, and to the
contemplation OF that future in which we
possess a common and most immediate and
commanding interest.
2. To induce to the extent Of my ability
the people of the States embraced in my
sphere Of service to take timely measures
for an exhibition to the millions TO be as
semblsd at Philadelphia in 1876 from all
quarters of the globe, specimens of their
inventions and Of their varied productions
Of soils and climates.
3. To take subscriptions to the stock Of
the Centennial within the five States men
toned, to a certain limited amount on the
part of the persons who may be willing to
subscribe, either from motives Ct profit in
expectation of dividends, or from
those of a less selfish and more purely
patriotic character. l have regarded it
as both personally respectful aud officially
proper to communicate TO yourself, as Gov
ernor Of Tennessee, the facts and the OBJ
iects of m appointment, with feeling Of
confidence that You will be prepared to
lend with avidity, whatever assistance that
may be in your power, or in the scope of
your Office to promote so desirable and i'm
prCssive an undertaking. / shall be happy
To hear from your on the subject at your
earliest convenience. In the meantime /
remain, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, ROBERT TYLER,
Agent Centennial Celebration.
Gov. Porter replies:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, NASHVILLE,
Tenn. June p, 1ST5.-Hon. RObt. Tyler,
Montgomery, Ala.-Dear Sir: Your favor
is received, and I assure you Of my hearty
co-operation in the effort to make the Cen
taunial celebration Of our independence, at
Philadelphia, successful and national. l
have Organized a State Commission, with
Geo. Z. Purvis, Esq, Of this city, as chair
man, and I suggest that you correspond
with him.
[ suppose It will be in the line Of your
dutv to visit Tennessee, and l bid yOu
welcome in advance Of your coming. l
have the honor TO be, sir, your obedient
servant, JAS D. PORTER