Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-03
CENTENNIAL LETTER.

what q PrOFO0nd Ft0Rucier aud
PhIiOsoph"r ThtOks Of m Mayor,
city FRihers aud @empbfs
MEMPHIS, TKSS.. February q, 1876.
To tho Most Honorable Mayor and trust
worthy Council Of the great Lottonopolis Of
the Southwest (Memphisl;
GEYTLEMEN-It isio you that | would
most respectfully make NY bow, for you.
nv dear sirs, hold within your grasp that
powerful lever BY which your beautiful,
bird like city" a be made TO rise or
fall; and as commanders and chiefs Of
this, our city in common. | must say las
far as | am capable Of judging), that l
have every confidence in the executive
ability of your well.balanced brsins in
CARRYING ont all that will pertain to the
growth and adornment Of that city which
YOU have the honor Of representing
Yoar lovely city to-day, gentlemen like
our common country, floats in a whirl-
pool of a great eddy, and the bark
Of our Commonwealth as she
rides on those turbulent waves, surging
and wrestling with the times, raises
her oars aloft and with a heaving sigh
looks TO you, my dear sirs, to man the
oars with q vim until she rides to the
head, where the current of to-day will
receive your orders with as much force
as her timbers will bear, and il the
rifles ahead look threatening call aloud
on the legislative body, as we'll as the
IGNORED Governor, to get on board in.
s%tanter, as you wish to pull out in the
Centennial stream. Once more, gentle
men, in the stream of life, backed and
manned by such a crew, ! think you
would be successful in shap ng and cast
ing the combined anchor in such a port
that Time, the f%orerunner Of all great
events, would applaud your actions fer
all time to come. / also hope, my dear
sirs, that the same activity may assist
you in furnishing such material az would
forever prove worthy Of a foundation
wall by which your magnificent wharf
may be preserved, for the day is not
far distant when Memphis will be
N the front rank, mingling with pride
her wealth among the first cities Of the
ace, il not eclipsing any in our noble
Uniou. | feel. gentlemen, as il you all
accepted the high positions you have the
honor to hold with honor and pride"
and mean to carry out Dhdt that inter
prets that is to carry out to the beat Of
Youc ability and means the need Of
POUR city, and the wishes of the great
majotity of her citizens And as mem
oers of this great State (Tennesseel and
citizens Of this bird like city, you. gen
tlemen. are aware Of the immense wealth
II the first and tie great advantages Of
the latter. While toe States bowels are
pregnant With raw material, such "a
coal, iron, marble. etc, 6be beautiful
belt Of country that surrounds her great
loins is seen heavily embroidered with
a snouy fleece, whilst Memphis, IS a
manufacturing point, stands to-day sec
md to none. The wealth OF the State
out awaits the action Of the capitalist at
ne back door Of your city. It is tree
ne pl1nsge, fnsncislly. Of our besuti-
fal bird is somewhat clipped, but this
don't lessen her pride 8 particle, for she
knows tine will arrange that s0on And
- lively as & lark, you will always fad
Der out 10 front, sonsunes nesting
luong the thousands Of cotton bales On
the blaf. and tken again smcng tue dr.
'srsnt commodities from all parts Of the
world. Thus Is Der beautiful life made
happy from the effects Of great trade
Bat. geatlemen, II you Sish TO see her
pat on her brightest smile arrange her
Ehari ia q cOEcrete fashion. and then
When she stretches forth her glorious
beak 70 sieness the many floating palaces
bsf lsnd in order 10 unlreight them
elves +" without danger" then indeed
viii sbe Be more than happy.
an, sire, yours irolJ.