The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-04-29

FFEeNQS
and Gentlemen
In meeting here together, at this time, to eele-
brate the Centenary of the City Of Nashville there
is so much reason for just pride, and hearty con-
graduation, to swell the hearts of the people OF
Nashville and of the State of Tennessee, that it
would be but coyness, rather than modesty, to en-
tirely suppress its expression. This people may
well congratulate themselves upon their steady and
s1tid progress, and the commanding and permanent
position their city occupies to-day, and the great
heart OF the state renders unto her central and
capital city pro ID and loving tribute of recOg-
milton, -eminently her representative and ex-
emplar in culture, in moderation, in wellOrdered
public opinion, in correct taste and dignifed con-
duet in affairs.
Fair city, from West Tennessee I bring you greet
ing with the love her people, fresh and fervid
though you were radiant maiden of eighteen
summers, instead OF wearing upon your brow the
crown of one hundred years. And, on your behalf
l return to West Tennessee your own plghted af-
fection with the assurance that you have drunk of
the Fountain OF Youth, without giving up the
peTence of the crown of years you gracefully
wear.
And to ali the people of State and brothers
an sisters from afar in your name, Irepea the words
Of welcome often given, and offer them a
place in your heart. And most especially TO
vensratsd mother, North Carolina, forever holding
the first place in the heart of Tennessee.
In the enjoyment and appreciation of occasion
like this and the train of thought it necessarily sug
gests, there is time and opportunity to take
all and appropriate thoughts and sentiments which
go far very far, toward quickeuing the vigor and
energies inspiring the heart and SOUL and renewing
the manic cd of people.
1t is a time for retrospection, when should re-
call the era OF our State and city's infancy, when
courage aud endurance, honesty and truth were the
property Of sires; and in recalling those days
and their memories resultant, this should also be
time for introspection, that we may consider
ourselves and see how have preserved our rich
inheritance and in what we have departed from the
stern virtues which laid the foundations of the State
and the reat principles OF conduct which governed
and guided its growth to manhood.
Many look on occasions like this as purify senti-
mental and useless, least far they do
duce to mere money-making, and the genius of the
practical, which has so long had possession of the
American people, would perhaps discard valueess
what may be termed its sentimental uses.
Bat bald indeed would be the character, and uIt
mately bad the people, who have not deep in their
hearts, albeit only in obscure corner admiration
in the abstract for the true the beautiful the
good, sacred affection for, and patriotic pride in
preserving and recalling the memories and traditions
OF their past and its benefactors.
Sentimental it may be, but such feelings are i'm
bedded in the hearts of the best wisest of
kind, their rOotlets and tendrls growing deep and
strong as the foundations of the everlasting hills,
dear remembered kisses after DEATH and sweet as
II Dlian harpstrings swept by the winds of heaven.
History is bat continuing series of repeti-
tiOns identified with the lives, and embodied in the
acts of representative men, pOnderous record of
misfortunes and good fortunes, ever traceable to
like errors in judgment and conduct or wisdom in
the same and teaching by example, makes a code
Of dear WISDOM" which is surest philosophy.
And as wise people studying the experience OF the
past (Which is history and seeing the inevitable
sequence of like effects from like causes. should
endeayor to ascertain what is really desirable
progress, and wherein lies genuine conservatism and
TO prove and weigh ourselves and State wherein
we have progressed and developed, so as to ap-
prove, appropriate, and preserve, that which is
worthy, and yet above all, hold fast to the virtues
rude though they be, and the traditions of sre
CERTAIN principles, rules of conduct like the
creedS Of eternal truth, are the yesterday,
day and forever. PROCESS make addition to
their development times, circumstances or con-
ditions subtract in any wise from their Obligation
Like the faith, once for al delivered, they should
be adhered to and honored, intact and without
variance or shadow OF turning
review of our past, careful preservation of our
history and traditions, study of the character Of
great men, aids US in this conservatism.
In the short time this address should occupy, I
can scarcely attempt more than to present the
trail idea Of the occasion, in connection with my
ject, and submit few suggestions that may tend to
impress it and sive.directiOn to our thoughts.
upon lhe early history ana settlement OF west
Tennessee / will not dwell.
The romance of her history lies far back of her
connection with the State, or even the United
States, in the days of De Soto, of good Father Mar
qustte and toilette, of the gallant Cheyalier La
sale aud Father Hennepin.
Being acquired and attached to Tennessee by the
Chiekasaw treaty made by Jackson and Shelby in
1915 and, unlike her sister divisions rapidly occu
pied and settled in time of profound peace, 4
sketch OF her settlement would be a narrative of the
details of organization and recital names ting
TO be filed in the archives Cf Historical society
but hardly matter that should detain YOU in brief
public address.
The history of people is said to be chiefly found
in the lives of their great men, it is fitting that
at this time minds should recall and dwell upon
the character and memory of the leading spirits Who
contributed to growth.
And it is my duty aud pleasure night to esree-
tally present to you very briefly, two names dear to
Tennesseans, not only a tribute the dead, but
for example to the living, hardly to attempt a
sketch Of their lives but rather to recall their mem
cries.
The names OF Andrew Jackson and John Overton
fifty Joined together.
Great men both, though in different casts, they
appreciated each other in the friendship of life
time, knowing each other. not only in the bonds of
friendship, but in a long business partnership.
ot ~ & Uasf