The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-02-19
TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL.
An Address to the People of
Tennessee.

| A1A A9uHCsS ~ tMC II CVPAt "
Tennessee.
| Rooms OF THE TENNESSEE HIS
ToRIcAL SocIETY, NASHVILLE, Tenn
Feb. IA, 18S0.-The committees OF
the part of the Tennessee Historica
Society, having in charge the ar
rangement for the Centennial celebrs
ton of the approaching Nashville
Centennial, and for the suitable dis
play at the Exposition of the Society
I valuable antiquarian and historical
collections, respectfully invite the at
tention of the public to the earnest
consideration of this circular.
/ The celebration of this centennial ii
a matter of deep interest to every
Tennesseean, and the necessary prep.
arations, in view of It's approach, have
engaged the attention of the society
for some years. But great deal Of
important work. in the way Of coop
GRAFTON rests as an obligation upon
the various county and other Official
bodies of the state, and upon her citi,
zens generally, to give proper effect to
the efforts of the Society, and make
the occasion rebound to the credit and
glory of her people. While the cele-
bration of the first centenary is inten-
ded to honor the founders and builders
of our present social and political ta~
brio, it has been deemed a fitting oc-
casion to take some steps 10 impress
more fully, particularly upon the
youth of the State, the value Of the
great truths inculcated by this event
to elevate in the public mind the im>
portance Of gathering and guarding
the materials of her wonderful and
unaxampled history, and to stimulate
a spirit of reverence for the past and
an emulation of those high qualities
of patriotism, enterprise and valOr of
which her annals afford so many lofty
and conspicuous examples.
Much has already been done to fos-
ter and encourage this spirit by indi-
viduals, and the Tennessee Historical
Society has been able to accomplish
much towards giving dignity and i'm
portance to the subject by collecting
valuable manuscripts and preserving
frem decay memorials of the past
which, to the intelligent behOlder,
idealize some of the grandest events III
American history. But the sphere of
usefulness of this Society has been
greatly restricted for the want of
means to accomplish much that would
have otherwise been in its power. 1t
hopes, however, that every citizsn of
the State will catch the spirit of the
occasion and respond in u manner
worthy of Tennessee and the grand
event sought to be commemorated.
The statue of Gen. Jackson will
probably be unveiled at some period
during the month of May, and we hope
to see u larger number of people pres
ent on that occasion than was ever
before in our city. Contributions are
called for and can be sent to John S.
Brown or to the First National bank
of Nashville. Tennesseeans in Con-
gress and in Washington will aid in
the good work, and it is thought that
East Tennessee will furnish the mar
BILE pedestal. We desire that all who
choose to do so will remit contributions
to one or the other sources named.
We would earnestly request all who
have manuscripts, books, pamphlets,
newspapers or other printed matter
bearing Oh State history, relics of the
past, in the shape of weapons, old
coins, or paper currency, portraits or
pictures of werthy citizens or engrav-
ings of scenes of interest, to add the
same to the Society's collection, either
by donation or as a loan for the occa-
sion.
We recommend further, to aid the
Military Committee of the Centennial
Commission, that each county organize
volunteer company, with or without
arms, to appear in the procession of
counties, bearing a banner inscribed
with the name of the county, date of
settlement and organization, the same
to be deposited with the Historical
Society as a memorial to other GEN.
tennials. This procession will em-
brace number of military companies
from this and other States, civic bod
les representing the various benevo-
lent orders, and the different indus
trial trades, intended to be the most
imposing pageant ever witnessed in
the South.
The committee will endeavor to
have inscribed upon the walls of our
Capitol the names Of Alamance, Ke>
nowha, Kings Mountain, Horse Shoe.
New Orleans, the Alamo and all other
places which connect Tennessee and
her sons historically with these events.
BY these names it is intended to make
the Capital of the State monumental.
as far as possible, of the valor, spirit
and patriotism of her citizens on what
ever fields of enterprise these qualities
may have been exhibited.
The committee respectfully asks the
press of this State and all those States
and communities which occupy flisl
relations to Tennessee, to copy this
circular or commend its contents to
the attention of their readers.
j. H. CURREY,
Chairman Committee on Historical
Exposition.
ANsoN EELsos,
Chairman Committee on Centennial