The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-18

~ "AAO van 'noiO cuOTouyuly representative
of past ago and Of the thoughts which now
are only part Of tho past than any Of his
compoors who are still living or have gono
over the dark river little while before him.
The south and tho Centennial
The letter of Mr.. William IL Parsons.
United States Centennial Commissioner for
Texas, which we published in yesterdays
HERALD, is an eloquent contribution to the
literature of the Centennial time It comes
in harmony with the letter of Governor Brog-
den, of North Carolina, which we published
on Sunday. There has been disposition ON
the part of some of our Southern friends, who
insist upon cherishing no memory of the war
but its bitterness and defeat, to regard tho,
Centennial movement as Yankee specula-
ton, to insist that the Southern people can
show no better evidence of independence and
devotion to the lost cause than by absentng
themselves from the industrial halls. Mr.
Parsons truthfully says: -'"The most august
spectacle, that which will overshadow in moral
grandeur all other events OF the century.
will be the probable complete and voluntary
extinguishment of the embers of the war dur
ing the Centennial celebration Of 1876" 'Ais-'
sembling again around the once common altar
upon which was lit the first flame of the
American struggle for Independence. these
men of the blue and the gray will renew tho
olden bonds of amity and reconsecrate the
original spirit of liberty and, union to remains
forever one and indivisible."
Nothing could be more suicidal than for the
Southern States to show their anger at the
results of the war by remaining away from
the Centennial Exhibition. Even as a mat,
ter of self-interest it would be a mistake
When the German war was over and it was
proposed to hold an exhibition at Vienna,
many fervent Frenchmen opposed the idea
that France should take any part in that dis-'
play because she would be side by side with
Germany, her enemy, with Austria and Russia
and England who had stood by and Witnessed
her discontinue without protest or sympathy.
They argued that France should show her re-
sentiment by refusing to have any intercourse
with the other nations of Europe that 10
would be to sully the glory of France for her
mechanics to assemble under the Same roof
with those Of Germany. Wiser counsels pre-
vailed. Prudent Frenchmen argued that tha
true way 10 show the supremacy OF France was
to 90 into the Exhibition and demonstrate to ths
world her superiority in manufacture in art.
in science, in industry and taste-in every ous
OF those essentials that contribute to the great
ness AMI wealth of mighty nation. The results
was that this advice was accepted. France
took part in the Exhibition; her display was
so much beyond that of any other nation that
everybody conceded its value; the world saw
that France, beaten, dishonored, tramplod'
under the foot Of the conqueror, had still
within herself the vigor Of character to leap
al once into competition of peace and show
to the world that she had not lost the attri-
butes OF her greatness and prosperity.
This example should not be lost on tia
South. The Southern States should come -
Philadelphia not alone with feeling Of fra
terniiy, but with emulation. Let them show
what the South really possesses-its strength.
it, hidden wealth, its capacity for invention
aud discovery Tor the arts and sciences. Ths
Southern people made q record before ths
war in politics and statesmanship and during
the var ia valor and devotion, that they need
never regret. The country of Calhoun
and Lowndos and Clay and Jefferson, ot
Lee and Johnston and Stonewall Jack
son, may have no fear AZ to ig
fame among nations which respect wlor
aud political wisdom. Let them now achieve
another trophy, that Of excellence in art and
sciences Let the Southern States show tho
entire world that in emancipating the slave,
ia destroying negro labor, the war has not
destroyed their genius and discipline. II has
long bvon 4 reproach to the Southern Statcs
that they were only great before the war
because 81 the degradation and servitude they
had imposed upon lower order Of mcn;
that lie power d The south was built on cot
ton aud strengthened ~ slavery; that tbs
people within themselves had none OF those
higher FACULTIES q government which arr
shown by se!i-aon,ai and fortitudc. Ths
truc.t way r. end this rcproach is Tor ths
southern States 10 come to the Centennial ia
their strength There arc no nobler Com
nonwealths On the earth than Texas ant
Virginia. North Clroln. and kentucky. WIZ
should they not appear al the Centennial side
~ side with Massachusetts and New York,
Pennsylvania and Ohios They have within
themselves the elements 81 imperial wealth
to reconstruct the Commonwealths upon a
FOUNDER basis TINT even what existed under
tie proudsst days Of the old Southern do
ininion
v,--rr-,.rA rnrrrr rC.r~Nrrgv-