The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-10
The following letter from Governor Kem-
per in reference to the Centennial Exposi-
tion was made public Yesterday:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, J
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RIcHAoND, October Z, 1876.

you some days ago, respond now to the
very cordial and fattering invitation you
then bore to me from the Centennial Com
mission.
In behalf Of the Commission you propose
that issue proclamation inviting the peo-
pie OF Virginia and their descendants and
relatives in other States to meet me, in my
official character, at q reception to be held
within the Centennial grounds on the 10th
instant, the anniversary OF the British sur
render at Yorktown. You express the;
opinion that such proclamation, and the
reception held in pursuance OF it, by the
Governor of the oldest Of the original thir-
teen States, would attract vast concourse,
perhaps one or two hundred thousand per-
sons, or more, to our national exhibition,
and would produce results OF enduring and
patriotic interest to the entire country.
| Duly and most respectfully approaching
the honor Of this invitation, and anxious to
decide rightly every question connected
with it, have reserved the matter for
brief period Of reflection.
I beg you to be assured, sir, that I am ever
ready to devote all my humble means and
abilities to the task OF restoring peace and
propagating fraternal goodwill over our
common country, and have not failed to
contribute the utmost in my power to the
success of the Centennial Exhibition and
celebration.
You arc aware that in my last annual
message to the Legislature Of this State I
earnestly urged that body to make such ap-
preparation for the purpose rs would con-
vey an official recognition by Virginia of the
Centennial enterprise, and at the same time
insure full exhibition of our resources in
connection with it. That recommendation
was thoroughly considered, and finally re-
jected. 1t was thought the State could not
honestly afford an appropriation even for
such purpose. This Commonwealth
had been the principal theatre Of
the recent four-years' war, and in
the course OF it, had been scourged,
stripped, desolated, and trampled by more
than million Of armed men. Our losses
and srferlngs very far exceeded those OF
any other State. Struggling ever since with
adversely, borne down with heavy public
and private Indebtedness, and unable even
vet to meet all the interest accruing upon
it, Virginia declined to incur the cost OF
taking part in the Centennial because her
poverty, and not her will, forbade the di-
version of any portion Of her revenues to
that object.
This adverse action of the Legislature
was in response to the question submitted
for it's determination. To contraVene 1t
now would involve not only breach OF the
faith in which the submission was made,
but disrespect towards the department
whose Judgment invoked.
II I should accede to your request; il the
part proposed to be borne by me could avail
anything; and if our combined efforts
should succeed in drawing to Philadelphia
such q concourse Of Virginians as you
expect, then I would be partly in
strumental in causing this impoV-
erished people to spend, in con-
nection with the Centennial, and beyond
their State, very large. sum Of money;
whereas the same people, through their
law-making power, have just declared their
inability to contribute even small sum to
that object. Iwould be assuming to 90, or
to Join others in dong, on great scale IN
one form what I have been authorltatlvely
forbidden to do on small scale in another
form. I would be assisting IN the indl-
rect application from this State OF some
millions OF dollars to an object substan-
italy the same, or cognate to the same, 1or
which the Legislature refused direct ap-
preparation of a few thousands.
Nor, in my opinion, is it right in itself that
T should exert any supposed official influence
in stimulating the people of Virginia to in
crease the contributions they are now max
ing with a liberal hand in this direction:
They are doubtless wcll-wlshers OF yoursen
and your associate investors IN the Centen-
NAL enterprise; but whatever might lnduce
them to incur the extraordinary eXpend!-
ture now proposed would serve but 10 ol-
| rninish unduly the reduced means they nave
in order to augment your colnpataIMive Nv
abundance. Those really able to Ylslt tne
exhibition have gone, or will go, ana tner
| going is very properly determined "iIn-
out regard to any movements Oh hine.
None others, in Justice to themselves, can
go: and I would not, if could, attract to
PHILADELPHIA those who, in view OF their
necessities at home, ought not to 60 at oil.
Moreover, while such proclamation as
YOU suggest seems to be warranted by usage
in some of the States, it would be notable
in Virginia as extra-oficial and without
authority, and it would contravene rules
and limitations which here for hundred
years have been held inviolable.
In declining to participate officially in the
Centennial exercises am content to know
that neither my presence nor absence affects
any interstate, or inter-sectional, or political
relations or interests. Nevertheless, hold
myself free to change any OF my con-
clusions whenever it becomes proper
to do so. You and others in
form me it is proposed that the chief
executive officers OF all the States and Ter
ritories shall meet together in Philadelphia
before the close Of the Centennial, and that
such representatives of all the States, other
than Virginia, are expected to be present.
In that improbable event, would not be
willing that exceptional absence on the part
of Virginia should cause her to be misun.
derstood or should mar the completeness OF
such an occasion.
Let no man do Virginia the wrong to sup
| nose that she measures the value OF the
| Centennial or estimates current events by
any selfish or merely material standard. 1t
| is true that, passing through period OF en-
barrassment, she recognizes the oDi1gaIlon
as one OF paramount importance 10 enforce
the sternest economy in order 70 pay ner
debt and vindicate her plighted faith; YET
| Virginia is no step behind her foremost SIS
tiers in advancing the progress, the peace
and the liberties OF Union now constitu-
tionally indissoluble. With rcgreuui CON.
posure, without abating her known spl[lt III
OF cancellation, she behoids, tne untilneiy
sectional animosities and reproacnes Wmcn,
Nor Nor the noblest design OF the Centennial
csiebration. AN the world knows that no
1aagard heart inspires Virginia. Her abb
sence from Philadelphia shall speak M Iol
her with not less significance tnan ner
presence. Standing beside ner own an.
hr,t Int. with her brow uplifted; with pure,
nnfo,tarine faith, and with unbroken
pride, Virginia speaks centennial glees
inps Of affection to all her sister etates.
nH,,a QT6lGln0