Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-08-05
For the YorkyIIIe Enquirer
KINGS MOUNTAIN CENTENNIAL.

Mr.. Editor Il am persuaded that an unfair as.
pect was unintentionally given to the question OF
the "king's Mountain Centennial" in the ZEN
oU1RER" Of the 18th ultimo; and resulting there
from is Misrepresentation OF certain parties, 10
whom, know, you will accord the privilege OF
correction. It was amisapprehension in the Gas
tonia Gazette to state that Capt. Bells resolution
contemplated "the removal of the principal cere-
monies to take place next October, from the bat
lie ground.'' 1t was the clear understanding,
think Of every one present at the Gastonia meet
ing, that the "princpal ceremonies" consisting OF
Major John w. Daniels Grafton, and the singing
of Mrs. Clara Dargan McLean's lyric, and the un-
yelling and dedication Of the monument, were to
take place, as q national tribute TO national
event. on the regular centennial day. on the sa-
cred ground of the battlefield. Yes, on the hal
lowed spot itself, where the bones Of the heroes
have found silent home for one hundred years
on the halowed spot, where glory has held guard
for century, as ''on fames eternal camping
grounds" on the hallowed spot, where nature,
from it's abounding treasures has spread the beau.
ty of mountain and valley and doutllne and hue OF
splendid scenery on the halowed spot, where
the very air is instinct with the genius and spirit
Of duty, Of trutE, Of honor, and of lberty-that
here, amidst all these sacred surroundings, with
their soul-inspiring memories, assembled Amer
leans, in honor of great event in American MIS-
tory, should be exalted by the voice of eloquence,
and ten thousand voices twice doubled, should
mingle in grand anthem of triumph, OF graft
tude, and of praise around the monument, erect
ed by grateful Present to an heroic and historic
Past And it is sad misapprehension or SAG
der misunderstanding to allege that Capt. Bells
resolution, or its advocates, dreamed OF altering
fractional part of this original grand purpose.
The original resolution
''That on the 7th of October, 1880, there be a
centennial celebration of the battle of Kings
Mountain held on the battle ground'-you will
pardon me for saying so-was written and voted
for by myself, and also sustained Captain Belrs
resolution, which dealt only with the three days
r,b h;oh dow q n
the regular programme, and were not originally
contemplated ct all. Moreover, because of the
grand outlet afforded by the Air Line Railroad;
because of increased railroad facilities in YORK
county; because of the indefatigable energy of
Mai. Houston in securing through rates with the
Leading railroads of our country; because OF the
fact, that the one hundredlh anniversary of an
event is greater epoch than it's 18th because of
and other re.sons, disagreeing with the "ENoU1-
RER," an, bound to think that unless patrlotlsm
has dwindled or civilization has declined, that the
attendance at the coming celebration Will be 1ar,
indeed vastly in excess OF that OF So or IN ac! OF
any similar celebration that has yet occurred in
our Southland. Great scarcity of water and in
adequate means of subsistence on the mountain,
as we'll as great difficulty of transportation there
to, made it appear to many of us, thatthe estima,
ted thousands who would be present, might find
greater enjoyment amidst the State congratula-
tons, &C., at a more accessible rendezvous, for
the few days that precede, and are an episode ana
are really preparatory 10 the one s'aiu, !inai al"
niversary day. And as matter of history, it
should be remembered that the Mahomedans, as
matter of custom, passed through certain ap-
pointment Of ceremonies before the eyes OF the
nation were deyoutly turned to Mecca; ana II
should not he forgotten that the old Romans rem
dezvoused at Prseneste before they proceeded to
the temple of Bellona to celebrate triumph on
account of the victory of the Metaurus. AND L
would state that Can't Bells resolution is addi-
tionally fortified by the fact of the advocacy of
this same plan by the Commissioners from the
different States, who were present at the laylngof
by many more whose experience removes every
doubt.
A spirit of candor has prompted my words,
that as an ardent we'll wisher of this great under
taking for an American recognition of an Amerl-
can Inheritance of common interest to us all,
might not appear in position which neither
occupy now nor have hitherto occupied either at
heart or in judgment
Yours Respectfully, .
w. WADDY THOMSON.