The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-03
THE CENTENNIAL YEAR.
How II Was Ushered in at In.
dianapOlis-Publlc Meeting and
Address by Governor Hen.
dricIkS and Others.

| INDIANAPOLIS, january line Zen
tcnnial year was ushered in at l2 o'clock
midnight, by the noisest demonstration
possible to make. At given signal one
hundred strokes were sounded from the
Fire Department bells, followed by peal
"Praise God from whom all blessings
flow" from the chimes Of Christ Church
This was followed by the firing Of one
hundred guns, the screeching Of steam
whistles, shooting OF pistols and fire
crackers, and other noisy demonstrations
OF joy.
Academy OF Music, at which Mayor Cav.
en- presided. After prayer by Rev. E.
Brady, rector OF Christ Church, Govern.
or Hedricks was introduced, and address
ed the assembly, briefly referring to the
progress which the country had made
during the past century, the population
OF which had grown from 100000 to 40
100000. He characterized the immigrant
movement, which had contributed so
largely to these shores, as one Of enter
prise and courage, and which had never
been sufficiently valued. II was these
features Of enterprise and courage and
intelligence which had given prominence
to our character, and swept from the col
onial lines until II has made glorions the
Pacific shore, and now American judg--
ment governs from coast to coast, and
American ideas and American sentiments
predominate in every section.
Two ideas were prominently advanced
by the Governor, OF special Importance:
First-That while he would not say the
American schools surpassed those OF 9th.
er countries, still the foundation was laid
for a system Of free schools, which, with
in a quarter Of century, would surpass
them. The free school must be regarded
as tho foundation Of American stability,
and the people must consider and treat as
a foe any one who will bring the system
into. a controversy with d view OF injur-
ing its efficiency. Secondly-Since its
birth, the country has borne itself proud;
ly and successfully againsti its enemies;
first, in the seven years war with Wash
ington at its head, when it'laid the foun'
dation for future permanent Government;
then, in the foreign war, and more recent
ly in the test Of civil war, which is the
hardest for any government to sustain;
and in all Of these it came out with its in
stitutions preserved and integrity sus-
tained. In conclusion, he drew an elo-
quent picture OF the manner in which
American sentiment was recognized by
other Governments, and that this senti-
ment was embraced in the one idea-the
Government rests upon theco oil the
governed, which would eventually end in
every man being free.
This was followed by an address by X.
J. L. Mathews, editor OF the Sentinel,
"Thc centennial of our flag" in which he
traced its success from the time when it
was first flung in the breeze, one hundred
years ago, by General Washington, to the
present era, when, as the ensign OF a
mighty nation, it commands the respect
and admiration OF the world.
General John Coburn spoke of Indian
apolis as it was, as it is, and as it will be,
tracing its progress for tifty-fve years,
from a wilderness to city, with its pres
ent population OF over 100000.
The exercises were concluded with an
address by G. W. Greene, official centen-
nial agent.
AT LITTLE ROCK.
LITTLE Rock, January 1.-The bells
throughout the city were rung at II
o'clock last night, in honor OF the New
Year, and to-day the national flag was
displayed from various public and pri-
vate buildings.
AT MEMPHIS.
MEMPHIS, January 1.-The day has
been an unusually quiet one. Business
was almost entirely suspended The
weather is warm and showery.