Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-06-09

chosen language to show the great
awakening of the spirit of the prog
ress in the South and prophesied a
bright future for this section. We
must adapt ourselves to the change
of times and keep step with the
march of progress. States rights
and cotton used to be about all that
was thought of in the South, but
now we are turning more to bust
ness and diversified crops. Georgia
and Florida are the market gar
dens of New York and Chicago.
Railroads were the great forerunners
of progress. They have touch of
nature that makes the whole world
kin. Consolidated trunk lines of
railroad like we have now might
have prevented the late war if they
had been in existence prior to that
event. Railroads were being built
everywhere, and it would not be
surprising if a railroad should pass
through Palestine and the brakes
man should put his head into the
car and shout, "Five minutes for
Jerusalem" They did more to pro-
mote civilization than did the
preaching of Peter the Hermit, the
sword of Plantagenet and all the
chivalry of Europe. The South's
great need is immigration and
school houses. If we spend half OF
the energy of New England in our
efforts at progress we will surpass
her. We are training in a different
school from our fathers. This is an
age of great Intellectual activity.
Citizenship means more than it did
twenty years ago. The young men
of the South must stay at home and
not go to the great West, where SO
many go seeking wealth and find
ing Disappointment.
For want of space we have given
very meagre synopsis of Mr..
green's speech, and can convey no
idea of the eXhileratory spirit and
freshness of flavor that pervaded it.
Rev. Mr.. Gray, of Gallatin, pre-
sented the speakers medals. The
first was given to Mr.. t. w. Greg
DRY, of West Point, and the second
to G. Mason, Jr., of Memphis. Mr.
Gray stated that Mr.. J. FL. Boyd
had received a vote for the first and
second medal. The Mack biblical
medal was presented to Mr.. E. r.
Long, of Batesville, Ark, by DIR.
Palmer.
Rev. c. r. Hemphill, of Column
bia, South Carolina, delivered the
before the literary societies.
He began by stating his pleasant
recollections of his life in Clarks-
vile. lie then spoke of the dispo-
sition to investigate so prevalent
now. Men are discussing as they |
never before discussed the philoso-
ply of religion. We find mighty |
conflict raging as to the genuineness
of the books of the gospels. In pol
itics men are questioning the prin-
ciples of government. He referred
to Mr.. Henry Georges
theories of the ownership of land
The foundations of our social sys-
TENS are being Investigated. Dis
guise it as we may the question
forces itself upon us What is free
lom of thought? What are its linn
its and what are its relations to
Christianity? This question he
made his subject. We can't fetter
rec thought. No one has right to
attempt such a thing but God HIM
ielf. To try to control the right of
bought was tyranny. The right
o free thought was unquestionable,
'ut the right to expression was linn
ted. Any man could think what
he pleased about the right of tenure
o land, but had no right to appro-
'riate his neighbors' property on
hat account. The right of express
ion of thought must be limited to
he point where it interferes with
he rights of others In considering
he effects of free thought on Christ
anity the speaker said it was use
ess to assert that the attacks on
jhristianitysto-day were the same
8 those of the last century. Then
ibaldry, derisiOn and jest were
urned on the Bible, but now the re-
igious principle in man isacknowl-
dyed and the skeptics make i
heir attacks through the medium
f philosophy, history and science. 9
he skeptics of today are Il fairer
nd more respectable foe than
has ever had, and must +
e met in a fair and respectable
hammer, that is, by open argument. q
The Hall during the commence
tent exercises was decorated with :.
.stoons of flowers and evergreens,
he banners of the two literary soci-
les and their notices. Messrs. III.
!. Price, ID. F. Schofield and ID. ID. A
Luff of w. ]. L. s., and j. L. Patty. :
. III. Woods and l.. Anderson of
lie s. L. S. were ushers during the
'oceedings. They wore broad
shes with the colOrs and insignia nj
their respective societies, and al
ere very polite and attentive to OF