The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-10-10
The Jasper centennial.

0SE-HTSDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF TIE sIBGE
OF sAyASEAH--A GRAND DEMONSTRATION
LAYING OF THE JasPER-MoyuHINT CORNER
sToNE-PArRIoTIc GRAFTON BY SENATOR
GORDON, &C.
SAVANNAH, October 9.-The one-hun-
dredth anniversary of the siege OF Savan-
nah and the death OF Sergeant Jasper was
commenced to-day In the presence OF twen-
ty thousand people. Great enthusiasm pre-
vailed. and the demonstration passed of
without accident Of any kind. The yolun-
teer soldiery Of Charleston, S. C., Georgia,
and Florida, were represented by over
twenty companies OF infantry, cavalry, and
artillery. The military pageant surpassed
any similar affair in this city. The military
alone extended over quarter OF mile.
The procession was composed OF civic So
cieties, the Jasper-Monument Association,
the Centennial Committee, headed by the
Thirteenth United States Infantry band and
a company OF Federal troops from the At
lanta barracks.
The entire city was brilliantly and hand
somely decorated and illuminated. The
shipping in port and public buildings were
also decorated.
After parade through the streets, which
were blocked with people, the procession
reached Madison Square, the site Of the pro-
posed monument, where large stand had
Eeen erected and deliberately decorated, the
American flag being conspicuous. The cor
ner.stone was laid with the usual ceremo-
MES by Captain John Mcmahon, president
OF the Jasper Memorial Association.
Senator Gordon was then introduced and
delivered grand patriotic Grafton, which
was listened to with profound attention
and frequently greeted with cheers. In the
course OF his remarks the distinguished
speaker, in an earnest and forcible manner,
gave vent to the following, which elected
the most Yociferous and prolonged APP
plause:
"Let us hope that the passions eDsen-
dered by our calamitous civil war, and the
distrust towards the South incident to that
war, may not furnish excuse, nor become
potential agencies for the obstruction OF
those principles OF government for which
Washington fought and Jasper died. Let
me be understood that it is no part OF my
purpose to magnify unduly the rights of
States, nor would our people deprive the
General Government of one right or power
which the Constitution has conferred.
We believe that the most lasting
national good, as we'll as the greatest na-
tional strength, is TO be attained by an I'M
falterng adherence 20 the rights Of States
on one hand, and the fullest recognition OF
the prerogatives of the General Govern
ment on the other. In other words, under
our form Of government. and with our vast
territories and conflicting local interests,
the grants and limit;Eons OF fundamental
law must be recognized. The Constitu-
lion must be the omniscent arbiter. From
it there is no appeal.
Nor do seek by references to the South
to detract in any degree from the credit
due to the able statesmen Of the North for
their able defence OF this colonial and
constitutional doctrine OF free, untram-
melted local government. do not claim for
the South any monopoly Of the virtues COM
pretended in the terms patriotism or
.republicanism.' and / am not Of those who
believe that love OF country or fidelity to
the Constitution is surrounded by State
lines or confined 10 sections. | would that
such obl;quity Of Judgment and all Sec
tional passions and preiudices could be
bapished from this country, and that bread
patriotism-broad as the "public-could
possess the hearts Of the entire American
people. Would that the South, no longer
a subject OF distrust, could contemplate with
generous pride the mighty and material de-
velopmcnt Of the great West and North, and
the grand industries and achievements which
contribute to the high civilization OF the
great East. Would that the West and East
and North, with tie magnanImity and sense
and Justice belonging to Il great people,
could cherish as common heritage the his
tory, honor, courage, patriotism. fidelity,
and heroic endurance OF the stricken South.
God speed the day when the maxim, 'This
is my country all my country, every sec
ton, every State, every acre Of soil over
which the flag OF the Republic floats, shall
be embraced by every American freeman,
not only as Il geographical, historical, and
political fact, bu; as living potential, in
spiriting sentiment"
At the conclusion of the cornerstone
ceremonies a grand review of the troops
took place at the Park extension by General
Gordon and General Lafayette McLaws.
The afternoon and evening was devoted TO
banquets and other Festivities.