The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-22
Centennial Constitutional Celebra
ton.

The Commission of States and
Territories met in Philadelphia on
I'd inst, to arrange for having a
Constitutional Celebration of the
PRONUNCIATION of the Constitution of
the United States, on September IL,
1887. The members of the Commission
present were: Hon. John A. Kasson,
Iowa, Chairman; Judge James V. Camp
bell, Michigan; B. A. Campbell, New
Hampshire; Hon. Rowland Hazard,
Rhode Island; Henry Failing, Oregon;
Hon. John II. Rodney, Delaware; Mar
cellus Green, Esq, Mississippi; Hon.
Henry Cabot Lodge, Massachusetts,;
Thos. T. CAN'T, Missouri; Gen. Clinton
P. Paine, Maryland; Hon. Chas. H..
Reeve, Indiana; Hon. James ID. Rich
ardson, Tennessee; W. H. Holiday, Wy
oming; Col. James A. Hoyt, South Car
DINA; L. w. Barringer, North Carolina;
Amos. R. Little, Pennsylvania; Hon.
William Writ Henry, Virginia; Charles
G. Garrison, New Jersey; Gen. ]. j..
Finley, Florida; Gov. Edward F. Jones,
New York; Edward w. Knight, Mon
tana; Hon. Henry G. Robinson, Connec-
ticut; Hon. U. G. Ordway, Dakota.
The address and programme adopted
are as follows:
ADDRESS.
The convention of delegates appointed
by the several States aud Territories to
take steps towards the celebration of the
signature of the Constitution feel it
their first duty to call the attention of
the country and of both press and pub
lie to the approach of this great ami
versary 1t becomes US to call the at
tention of our countrymen to the char
acteristics of our change in the govern
ment of States effected by the adoption
in tranquility of system of check to
the heated impulses which the strife of
actual control could not fail to arouse.
The barrier to hasty legislation effected
by an organic law, Interchangeable except
by process involving delay, and so Sc
curing an interval in which reflection
might resume its sway over passion, was
to all practical purposes q novelty cen
fury ago.
The success of the experiment depend
ed eventually upon the reverence with
which men might be brought to regard
the fundamental and supreme law and
to consider it, in the nature of things,
inyiolable, except on condition of the
surrender of every respectable attribute
of an upright people. Upon the exist
ence of this reverence the statesmen OF
1877 relied. To its existence and pres
ervation their defendants owe whatever
is valuable in the institutions they in
herit. To strengthen, to animate and
to quicken the sense of the sacredness of
this principle and the paramount duty
of observing it, and to admonish our
countrymen that only by sednlous, intel
ligent and vigilant perception of its
transcendent importance can be assured
a continuance of the blessings which
make US the admiration of the world,
seems prominent duty of this body.
The formation and PRONUNCIATION of
the Constitution was the most momen
tous event in the history of the Ameri-
can people, and marks an epoch in the
history of the civilized world. Under
the Constitution this great nation has
grown up and prospered, and on the
continued success of our system of con-
stitutional government depends in large
measure the future welfare and happi-
piness not only of our own people but of
mankind. We believe that the people
in a solemn and grateful spir-
it the character of this celebration, and
that they all give it that hearty support
the length and breadth of
the land which will insure a success
worthy of the occasion and the event.
PROGRAMME.
l. That there be an grafton and poem
in commemoration OF the signing OF the
2. That there be a military display in
which the United States shall be invited |
to be represented by each branch of its |
military and naval service, and the sew
sral States and Territories and the Dis
trict of Columbia by their militia and
volunteer service; and that the Presi- |
dent be requested to designate officers TO
command the same
8. That there be an industrial process
Iional display.
4. That invitations to participate in /
the celebration be extended TO the fres-
dent of the United States and his Cab
met. the Federal Judiciary, Congress
and the representatives of all depart
ments of the National Government, to
the Governors of each State and Terri
torv. to the Judiciaries and Legislatures
Of the same, and the representatives of
the several apartments thereof; to the
Of the District of Column
oia, and to the various civic organiza-
ions and associations of the Union; and
hat the resident representatives of for
,ign governments having friendly rela- |
ions with the United States be invited /
o be present.
The Executive subj Commission 70 ex-
cute the programme are: Amos r. L
little, Pennsyl vania, Chairman; VIM.
Writ Henry. Virgins; Henry Cabot
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