The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-10-05
Something is Going to Happen

In the good State of New Jersey
there is a town euphoniously named
Peapack, and about three thousand
people of the strange name of Smith
assembled there some days ago. 1t
was not a political meeting, and if
we should call it a religious gather
ing, we might render ourselves LA
bic to the charge of making a false
statement. One thing is certain,
however-there was much Smith.
And there is another thing that is
pretty certain-the Smith party is
formidable; they can turn and over
turn. They gathered in response
to the following call:
"Grand Centennial picnic by the
Saith family. An invitation card.
To whom these presents may con-
cern, or to the descendants of John
Henry Smith and Christiana Smith
his wife, and their children's sons
and daughters. Now, be it remem
bered, that the above named per-
sons were born and brought up in
Readington Township, Hunterdon
county, New Jersey. And be it fur
ther remembered, that the chill
dren's children, down to the present
generation, are hereby invited and
required to lay all business aside
and meet with the subscriber on
Wednesday, September 6, 1876, by
order of the committee, TO hold a
Centennial Smith picnic; and it was
resolved that this gathering be held
in a grove on the farm of Peter T.
Smith, formerly owned by Zacariah
Smith, deceased, one mile and q
half east from Peapack, Somerset
county, N. j.
"Now, as it is the custom in these
social meetings for each and every
one to provide suitable provisions
for themselves and some to spare
for their friends, they will please dc
so on this occasion.
Boiling water will be provided
near the grove by the committee Oh
Tea and Coffee"
Now, there are several very i'm
portant facts indicated in this re-
markable proclamation and the con
vention it called. One fact is tha
the Smiths are organizing; and al
they are organizing, they are to b.
considered; they are to be courted
they are to be feared; for they holC
the balance of power It appears
that the descendants of only one o
the Smiths and his wife were invit
ed to their convention, and that tn
convention numbered three thou
sand. If the descendants of on
little family of Smiths could max
up an assemblage of three thousand
the unity of the Smiths would b
something to be feared.
We can not think that this is a.
organized raid upon our institu
tions, for it is only the action Q
one small village in New jersey
and it should not, perhaps, excit
national alarm.
The appetites of this little Smit
family that met at Peapack ar
manifest in their proclamation
Each and every one were expected
according 20 custom in these soci;
gatherings, "to provide suitabl
, provisions for themselves and som
to spare for their friends" If ever
: Smith in the convention carrie
enough provisions for himself an
: for his fellow-Smiths, there wei
certainly good many more basket
of them left than on the memorab
: occasion about which we read j
the New Testament. There is SOM
: thing wrong in all this prodigalit
It means something, but we can
tell what it is. Neither we nor OF
readers may live to see it; but, MAJ
our words, something is going
/ happen.