Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-05-27

able, either by doubters outside or sceptics at
home.
Hon. John Kerr, Judge of the Fifth Judi
cial District of North Carolina, the chosen
orator of the occasion, was next introduced.
His speech, which occupied half an hour in
its delivery, was eloquent and abounded with
devotion to the Union of States whose liberty
was Graded in Mecklenburg. After review
ing the early history of North Carolina and
the other colonies, and pointing out the dis
tinction between liberty and loyalty-the
sentiment of the latter never being so poten-
tal with our ancestors as the former-he re-
verted to the friendly relations that existed
between Massachusetts, and the South in those
dark days of the Revolution paid glowing
tribute to that State which he said has an H.
lustrious record, and is rich in material
wealth, learning and intelligence. Virginia,
too, he characterized as the august mother of
Washington and of vast living empires.
These States and North Carolina, formed the
triad that constitutes, when viewed in refer
ence to the cause of civil liberty, one of the
brightest glories every kindled in all the
moral heavens. He apostrophised the flag of
the Union, counseled moderation in view of
the approaching era of peace and good feel.
ing, when it behooves all patriots to restrain
their resentments and to cultivate wise, con-
siderate and patient temper, and closed by
predicting for the Union bright and glorious
future.
Judge Kerr was followed by Hon John M.
Bright, of Tennessee, who paid an eloquent
tribute to North Carolina, and reviewed the
Revolutionary history of the thirteen colonies.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Brights speech,
Governor Graham intr duced to the audience
Mr.. James Belk, of Union county, N. c.,
who was born February 4th, 1865, ten years
before the Mecklenburg Declaration. Mr..
Belk is consequently 10 years of age. He
is in the enjoyment of his faculties, though
little deaf. He is the father of % children,
10 by his first wife, and IL by his second, and
his Oldest daughter, who is still living, is SS
years of age. Mr.. Belk was born in Union
county, then part of Mecklenburg, and his
home has never been more than FIVE miles
frcm where he was raised. Governor Gra-
ham also introduced Mr.. Daniel G. Stinson,
of Chester, South Carolina, aged 81 years.
After these old gentlemen were introduced,
loud and repeated calls were made for Gov
ernor Hendrix, but the Ex-Governor, who
feigned that he had not expected to be called
upon for speech, retreated, when Vance was
called. He had not proceeded far in his
usual humorous strain before the platform
came down with crash, preci pitating the oc'
cupants, though fortunately none were hurt.
After this the proceedings for the day were
ended, by partaking of dinner which had
been prepared for 1000 persons, and which
was served in the buildings of the Fair Of the
Carolinas, and booths erected for the purpose.
At night there was speaking by Governor
Chamberlain, of South Carolina; ex.Gover-
nor Hendrix, of Indiana Ex-Governor Walk
Bradley T. johnson.
Governor Chamberlain said he offered to
the assemblage the cordial response of the
people of South Carolina to the sentiments
which have been announced, and to the fade
less memories of Mecklenburg. He referred
to the cordial sympathy extended at Lexing-
ton few days ago, where he stood for the
Carolinas and the South, which formed one
of the most significant features of that great
occasion. He thought he saw there the re-
turning wave of fraternal feeling which will
surely flow over the whole American people,
making the men of Lexington and the men
Of Mecklenburg enemies no more, and rivals
only in devotion to freedom and American
nationality. The ear of Lexington is bend.
ing low to hear like voice here to-day. Let
us send forth the voice of Mecklenburg, pro-
claiming the new Union more glorious even
than the old, because tested by harder trials,
planted in deeper foundations and springing
from broader faith in the immortal princi-
piles Of American freedom.
Ex-Governor Hendricks said that from the
time he crossed the Ohio, until he reached
this spot, he had been cheered with the pros.
pect of speedily returning prosperity to the
country, and especially was he pleased with
the evidences in South Carolina of the results
ofa better government for the people of that
State. He would not speak of questions
growing out of the late war, but urged un-
ion of the States without fraction, and said
that in the Western States only good feeling
was entertained for the South.
Ex-Governor Walker, of Virginia, spoke
of the Philadel phia centennial next year,
which is to be great uprising to wipe out all
bad feeling and restore the brotherly senti-
ment of former times. He favored Just,
united and harmonious government, and op-
posed radicalism because it trampled down
constitutional government He felt that so
far as the South is concerned there need be
no fear of rupture of the government !;
should there be any dsunion in the future it
would not be south of Mason and Dixon's
line, but in the blue hills of New England,
where it first began. But, said he, if they
ever attempt to break up any government
that we have been interested in establishing,
we will squelch them.
Gen. Johnson's remarks were mainly COM
plimentary to North Carolina.
He was followed by Ex-Governor Vance,
who said the rebels of 1861 are just as true
friends of constitutional liberty as were the
rebels of 1775, and argued that the degree of
success does not measure the standard Of
right If fraternal feeling is desired by our
northern brethren, the South will cheerfully
promise not to meet them lfway, as we used
to do laughter but more than half, way
to shake hands
Governor Brogden next made few re-
marks congratulatory upon the great success
Of the first centennial of the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence, and the assem-
blage dispersed.
Thus ended the exercises which were so au-
spiciously begun and successfully carried
through to completion with but two accidents
to mar the enjoyment of the occasion. On
Wednesday morning while the Raleigh Light
Artillery were firing salute of one hundred
guns, by a premature discharge of gun,
private Williams, who was acting as gunner,
was wounded so severely as to require the am
putatiOn of one hand, while the other is disa-