Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-14
The q. M. Centennial.
CELEBRA ALTON
...-.-.,.. OF THE
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN,
OCTOBER 5, 6, Z, 1880.
[BY OUR OWN REPORTER.


gained by men undisciplined to military life
and unframed in the art of war, but who
were born to be freemen, an achievement
which will survive as long as civil govern.
ment shall endure, and render immortal tue
names of those gallant actors whose sagaclty
planned, and whose daring won, the battle
which proved the turning point in the dark
est hour of struggling nation to be free. 10
do homage to the memory of these patriots,
to manifest proper appreciation Of the in
estimable heritage they bequeathed to their
posterity, and to prove to the world that
American institutions and the principles Of
common government under Union Of the
States are as dear to-day as at any time with.
in the history of the Republic, the people of
Georgia, of South Carolina, Of North Caro-
lima, Of Virginia. of Tennessee, and men from
far distant States, South and West, assem-
bled at Kings Mountain and united in
grand celebration of the centennial annlver-
sary of the engagement which led to series
of successes eliminating in the surrender OF
Lord CORVALLIS at Yorktown, in 1881.
The history of the Kings Mountain Cen
tenniaI Association and the proceedings of its
various meetings, as we'll as the efforts of its
a success, are of too recent occurrence to re-
quire recapitulation here. Suffice it to say
that the Association was organized but little
more than year ago, and notwithstanding it
received no public financial aid further than
the paltry sum of two thousand dollars, dona-
ted by the States of North Carolina and South
Carolina, "to be applied for the erection of a
monument" yet by individual enterprise and
the liberality of citizens, this sum was aug
mented sufficiently to erect monument cost
ing $4,000, and to defray all other expenses
necessary to render the celebration somewhat
commensurate with the important event it
commentaries.
Our home people looked forward to the
day with pleasant anticipations. Not only
did they feel pleasurable pride in the con-
secrated spot which gives York county a
prominent spot in the Nations history, but
they knew that the reunion of States arranged
by the Association, promised also reunion of
people-of friends-of brothers-sisters-o
relatives-separated by distance from each
other for years, who on this centennial occa.
sion would make Kings Mountain their Nee:
ca; and while worshipping at the shrine of
liberty, would also have opportunity OF meet
ing again and reviving pleasant recollections,
and renewing old associations. 1t is no won
der then that thousands assembled on the his
toric grounds. And little wonder-though
the programme could not be strictly carried
/ out as originally intended that the celebra--'
ton proved success rejecting credit upon
its managers in no less degree than the large
number of men and women who assembled
he of Z ho ofr1nf Hoo1 nd
drink anew the inspiration of their devotion to
duty and love of principle.
The exercises began on Tuesday morning
last, the 9th instant, and closed on Thursday
evening, the 7tb, which was the anniversary
day. 90. .4
Considerable preparation had been made
for the celebration by the local committee,
notably the clearing of the grounds where the
celebration was held, including also the knoll
on which the battle was fought, at the base of
which, on the southern side, q large stand for
the speakers and invited guests, capable of
seating three hundred persons, was erected.
This stand was decorated with flags repre-
sentiug each of the thirteen original States.
On each flag staff was a shield with the name
Of the State the flag represented, and from
pole in rear of the stand foated proudly over
all, the magnificent United States flag, first
thrown to the breeze, on the 2lst of last Feb
ruary, from the pinnacle of the mountain, by
the lberality Of the Atlanta and Charlotte
Air Line Railway, and by that corporation
presented to the Association on the first day
of the celebration.
The first day was designated as .
-. REJTNYON DAY.
and after salvos of artillery, and inspiriting
music by the U. S. Fifth Artillery Band, at
II m., the crowd assembled at
THE GRAND STAND.
Col. A. Coward, Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Centennial Association, step
ped to the front of the stand and said: "The
ceremonies of this august occasion will now
be opened with prayer by Rev. Ellison Capers,
member of the Association.
Mr.. Capers then offered the following i'm
pressive petition to the Throne of Grace:
o Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and
mighty Ruler of the Universe, who dost from thy
throne uphold all the dwellers on earth, most
heartily we beseech thee with thy favor to behold
and bless US, thy servants, now assembled on this
consecrated ground. Give u.s. Lord, the spirit
of patriotism and brotherly love, that we may
worthly celebrate the valor and the virtues ofaur
countrymen, and commemorate their devotion to
liberty with grateful sense OF our duty to thee
D Lord, who art the author and giver of all good
gifts. We humbly thank thee, our heavenly
Father that in thy providence we have lived to
celebrate this day; that thou ddst put it into the
hearts of these thy servants to organize this re-
union of our countrymen on a spot SO dear to
the whole American people Here may all of
us renew our sense of the inestimable benefits
secured to us and our children by the sacrifices
of our fathers, and here may we dedicate our
selves with patriotic devotion to the love and
service of our whole country, and in the mainten-
ance of the blood-bought principles of American
Freedom. May the recurrence of these centen-
nal anniversaries teach our hearts and the hearts
of children that the blessing of constitutional
liberty which our fathers won for us by the sacri
flee OF their lives and their treasures, must be
maintained by faithfuness to the principles and
to the government they established. AS the de-
scendants of American patriots, may our people
consecrate every Revol olutionary battlefield a
shrine of patriotism, where the vows of love and
the pledges Of duty should be annually paid to
American liberty and Independence, where all
sectional bitterness and party rancor shall be re-
buked and forgiven, and where the American
people shall annually celebrate the blessings and
responsibilities Of American citizenship. We
pray thee, o Lord, to bless our country. Thou
alone canst order the unruly willand affection OF
simple men. That our people may be just to
one another and faithful to our country, make
them, o Lord, to love the things which thou
hast commanded, and devise that which thou
hast promised. Bless thy servant, the President
of the United States, and all others in authority
over US. May all things be so ordered and settled
by the endeavors of our people upon the best and
surest foundations that peace and happiness,
truth and justice, religion and piety, may be es,
tablished amongst us for all generations; ana
o Father of mercies and God of all comforts,
we give thee thanks for all thy goodness and
loving kindness to US and to all men. We bless
thee for our continued preservation and all the
blessings of this life-but above all fer thy nesti
r1ah1a n world