The New York herald., 1876-10-10
VIRGINIA AND THE CENTENNIAL.

GOVERNOR KEMPER AND THB INVITATION OF
THE CENTENNIAL CoMMIssIoNKRs-RKPLYo or
THE GovERNoR-HR DECLINES TO ISSUE A
PROCLAMATION FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT.
RICHMOND Oct 0, 1876
Governor Kemper to-day responded to the invita-
ton OF the Centennial Commissioners to vir-
ginia day and have reception. He declined to issue
his proclamation for that purpose Desired. He
processes favor OF restoring peace and propa-
eating fraternal good will common
country, and states that In his last message Ii,
recommended an appropriation, which the Legislature
refused to vote He cannot believe that it would now
be right TO assist the indirect application from this
State OF millions Of dollars to object subslnn-
TALLY tho same, cognate the same for which tho
Legislature refused direct appropriation Of few
thousands He suggests that to fall into the scheme
would be but to diminish unduy the means OF Vir-
giuia In order ITO augment your comparative abund
ance." In conclusion, he says:-"Moreover, while
such proclamation as you suggest seems to be war;
ranted by usage Of the States it would be
BILE IN Virginia extra official and without authority
and II would contravene rules and limitations which
here for hundred years have been held invioabo in
declining to participate officially in the Centennial
exercises. l am content to know that neither my
presence nor absence affects any interstate inter-
sectional or political relations or interests Neverhc-
loss hold myself free to change any OF my conclu-
sions whenever n becomes proper TO DO so. You
inform me It is proposed that tho chief executive
together in Philadelphia before tho close OF tho Gen.
tenna and that such representatives OF all the States
than Virginia expected to be present In that
improbable event / would not be willing that ex-
ceptonal absence the part OF Virginia should
her be misunderstood or should mar the complete
OF such occasion. Let no man do virginia the
wrong 10 suppose that she measures the value OF the
Centennial estimates current events by any selfish
merely material standard II IS true that passing
through period ofomoarassment, she recognizes the
obligation one OF paramount importance
to enforce the stcrness economy in order
her debt
faith yet Virginia step behind her foremost
advancing the progress, tho peace and the lib
critics OF a Union now constitutionaly indssoublo.
With regretfu composure, without abating her known
spirit OF Cancellation, she beholds the untimely
tional anmosities reproaches which, provoked by
OF hers, tend TO mar the hobles design Of the
Centennial celebration. All the world knows that no
aggard heart inspires Virginia. Her absence from
Philadelphia shall speak Tor her with not less
Significance than her presence. Standing be-
sido her ancient hcarthstonc Scared afflicted,
poor but with brow upliftcd, with pure and un-
ialtering faith and with unbroken pride, Virginia
speaks centennial greetings of affection TO all her
states To Massachusetts, sho gives greeting in the
name OF her son who first unsheathed his sword on
Cambridge common leader of tho armies OF tho
Revolution. She grcets Philadelphia the cradle OF
independence the birthplace Of American liberty 10
which . Virginia statesman gave the grandest OF its
historic glory, and, tho voice and spirit
OF hundred years ago, she speaks for
. Union OF patriotic and heroic hearts Tor
our common liberties, for government deriving its
inst powors the govorDed for equal
rights ana impartial justice to all statos and men, and
she Graves all that for tho support OF these prin.
cplcs With a firm reliance ON divinr Providence,
mutually plcdge each other our lives, our fortunes
and our sacred honor. have ihc honor 10 be, SIR.
YOURS respectfully, JAMES l.. KEMPERn
These are the sentiments OF tho Governor: Tho
sentiments OF tho people are exhibited BY the very
great number OF vlrgnans who have attended and
now attending tho Centennial No other STATE in pro-
portion wealth and white population, has done bet
Ter Ia particular respect Between 900 and 900
tickets TO the Centennial have been sold IN Richmond
alone and within the thirty days there will be an
unprecedented heslra OF Vireinians Centennalward.