Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-10-17
EpITORIAL CoRREspnnENnE

centennials usually to hear speeches,
and even if they did the many other
attractions and the sight of so many
old friends and strange faces is calcu-
lated to divert their attention. Judge
j. l.. L. Sneed is a ready and a happy
speaker. He came on first, and in the
halt hour that he held the stand and
the audience made a very pleasant i'm
preston. Judge Key, the postmaster
general, was next. His speech, which
was evidently prepared, though he
used no manuscript, was better in
style and delivery than l expected
after reading reports of his "Erring
brethren" and "laudable.curiosity-to
e-the-postmaster-general" speeches
made up north No doubt he feels
more at ease and does better on his
native soil. Mr. Doak, of the Nash
vile American, delivered a carefully
prepared address, full of thought and
interesting "reminiscences. 1t deserves
a wide circulation and careful read
ing. Governor Marks, though not
prepared, was called upon and made a
clear and eloquent bit of speech of
ten or fifteen minutes. The crowd
called for Alf Taylor and for Bob Tay-
lor, the latter a member of congress,
and both of them sons of Hon. N. G.
Taylor, They appeared alternately,
and made a few appropriate remarks.
This closed the speaking.
The centennial display was large,
varied and interesting. A full descrip-
tion would occupy more space than
yet given by any paper. The collection
should, if possible, be preserved intact,
but as there is no building or associa
tion for such a purpose in East Ten
nessee, the next best thing would be
for the owners Of the various articles
who nearly all live in Washington
county, to donate them to the Tennes-
see Historical Society at Nashville,
which has fine collection in the
rooms set apart for its uses in the
State capitol. In this splendid reposi-
tory such relics, safe from decay,
neglect aud vandal hands, yet open to
public view become, in a sense public
property, the same as the archives of
the State, and are free for the inspec-
ton Of strangers as we'll as our own
citizens. Many valuable revolution
airy records and other relics were
destroyed or lost during the war. Such
as are still in private hands should be
properly labeled with the names of
the owners and brief history attach.
ed and sent to Mr. Anson Nelson.
secretary of the State Historical So
ciety at Nashville 1t is a pity and
shame thatso many natural curiosities,
and Indian relics as we'll as our own,
should have been permitted to 90 to
the Smithsonian Institute and other
museums in this country and Europe.
Wehaye the material as yet and should
have a collection Of our own which
would have but few rivals in any State
of the Union.
The fair was an indication that
Washington is one of the most pro-
gressive counties in the State. The
exhibition was large and creditable,
both of natural productions and man
ufactured articles. Very few Of the
articles were imported. The people
could point with pride to whatever
was on the ground as of their own
production The ladies department
was particularly attractive, only it was
too much crowded for convenience or
comfort. The many strangers on the
grounds, including a number OF Mem
phisns, were impressed with the idea
that old Washington is keeping up
with the times All of Tennessee was
once known as Washington county, |
North Carolina. The county has
greater white population and far
greater commercial, educational and |
political importance within its present
limits than it had then. As popula-
ton becomes denser in any country, |
the people are driven from necessity to |
improved methods of agriculture and |
manufacturing, aud to diversified pur
suits. We have scarcely begun, as
yet, in Tennessee to elbow each other.
or to economize space. The time,
however, is coming, and that soon.
The next census will show a wonder
tul increase Of the resident population
in Washington county, if there is any
sign in the troops of children, and
the immense and healthy baby crop on
the grounds of the late fair. A good
baby show could have been organized
ten steps apart all over a ten-acre
field and they were all fine babies,
too entitled to prize--every one of
them.
An attractive feature of the occa-
sion was a large paper balloon, sent up
by Esquire Quigley and another gen