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 CEN
tennial grows apace Newberry has
fallen into line, and her arch need not
hold its head abashed, notwithstand-
ing the tardlness of our sympathy in
this cornlnendable celebration. Our
activities have been aroused. A COM
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
| nlttee 10 do the work thoroughly and
| in an artistic manner. 1t remains now
I 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
known to the world where New berry
is, what the products Of our soil and
mills, what our natural environments
are, what are cur educational facilities,
etc. l fancy if advertising material
were left unused it could afterwards be
distributed through proper channels
where it might do the most good. It
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 Soush are expected to be
present to enjoy the festivities of the
occasion. 1t will be an event of Gen.
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 joyous one for every son of Caro-
lima, who feels the impulse of deep de-
votion 10 his mother State.
There will be much in this ccleLra-
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 splendors and
achievements of q 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 hindereG, 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. I 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 COM
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 prinaus inter pares-"tirst among
her equals"
God forbid that our love of State,
which is only another name for patri-
otism, shall ever wax cold or diminish
because of increasing years.
w. E. PELHAM.