The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-07
Newberry at the Columbia Centennial.

TO the Editor Of The Herald and
News: Interest in the Columbia GEN.
tennial grows apace. Newberry has
fallen into line, and her arch need not
hold its head abashed, notwithsrInd-
ing the tardiness Of our sympathy in
this commendable celebration. Our
activities have been aroused. \ conf
mittee composed of Mr.. Blalock and
the writer from the Board Of Trade has
visited Columbia, has selected loca-
ton, has contracted with certain build
ers and professional decorators, who
are under agreement with the COM
mttee to do the work thoroughly and
in an artistic manner. 1t remains now
with the citizenship Of town and coun-
ty to say whether it were best to adver-
tise Newberry's resources extensively
by pamphlets, placards and the like.
To my mind the occasion will be one
that should be employed for all it is
worth, for the purpose of making
known to the world where NeWberry
is, what the products of our soil and
mills, what our natural environments
are, what are our educational facilities,
etc. l farcy if advertising material
were left unused it could afterwards be
distributed through proper channels
where it might do the most good. 1t
is we'll to remember that the illustrated
papers and the large daily press will
have representatives on the ground,
that distinguished men of the North
and of the South are expected to be
present to enjoy the festivities of the
occasion. 1t will be an event OF CEN
tury. Outside of the tinge of sadness
that steals over US as we mediate upon
the fact that we will not be permitted
to participate in the celebration of the
second centennial, the occasion should
be a joyous one for every son of Caro-
lima, who feels the impulse of deep de-
votion to his mother State.
There will be much in this celebra-
ton to inspire us with new hope and
renewed zeal, as with backs turned to
the shadowy past, we gaze through the
vista of time upon the splepdors ard
achievements of a new century.
And with the recollection Of the pa
triotism that has distinguished South
Carolina, whether in the pulpit, on the
battle field, in the press, in commerce,
in the law, in medicine, or in the peace
full pursuits of husbandry, may we not
encourage new hopes that for our be-
loved Carolina, her future may be
brighter than her glorious past. Every
body should attend except those abso-
lutely hindered, and thus honor our
selves as We show to the world that we
are yet worthy of that position in the
autonomy of States which We have
hitherto enjoyed. cannot reproduce
the programme here, but big things are
promised, not the least Of which is to
see and hear that grand old man, Wade
Hampton, who has ever been worthy
Of our profoundest admiration. Our
children, too, should be given this op-
portunity, possibly their last, OF shak-
ing hands with, and of knowing the
man who, had Lee been removed by
death, would have been placed in conf
mand of all the forces of the COnfed-
eracy; whose military prowess and
civic renown future historians will say
equalled that Of the bravest and the
best of any age.
Newberry cannot claim to be the
first of the counties in date ofestablish-
ment, but she may, by proper repre-
sentation at this centennial, entertain
a lively hope that she will be consid-
cred l1rimus inter pares-''tirst among
her equals"
God forbid that our love Of State,
which is only another name for patrl-
otism, shall ever wax cold or diminish
because of increasing years.
w. E. PELHAM.