Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-11-19
areat Annirersariss nefore us

Great Anniversaries Before Us.
About century ago the era of kings
and of hard labor ended, and the era of
the common people and of labor saving
machinery began. In the years imme-
diately before us will come thick and
fast centenaries the most remarkable in
modern history. There are terrible and
tragic centennial anniversaries too. Jan.
81. 1898, Louis XVI of France was gull
lotined-sugust sacrifice to the freedom
Of man. From July IA. 1889, till July
81, 1874, the first French commune held
its reign of terror. July %, 1894, the
last of the old commune, with their
leader, Robespierre, lost their heads upon
the guillotine. The centenary of Napo-
Icons first victorious battles and famous
campaigns will come during the closing
years of the century, beginning with
1896.
Brighter centennial celebrations are
before us in America. The south next
May ought to have splendid celebra-
ton all its own. For in May, 1898, Eli
Whitney, at Savannah, completed the
cotton gin, which practically created
the greatest industry of the southern
states. Modern progress oates from the
adaptation of steam as propelling
power to machinery. The first steam
engine that would do real work was
invented by an Englishman-Th Thomas
Newcomen-in 1905. All the world must
give Thomas brave sendoff in 1905.
200 years after. Watts, another Eng
lshman, made possible the adaptation
of steam to all kinds of machinery in
1868. But we in America deserve our
full share of credit here, and it comes
in the story of steam navigation.
In l70S Robert Fulton sent the
first commercially successful steamboat
sfoat, the Clermont, up Hudson river,
unconsciously laying the foundation Of
the Vanderbilt fortunes A rousing
commemoration Fulton must have in
1908, not only from the Vanderbilts, but
from all Americans. Steamboats, had
been run before, but it was left for the
practical American mind to show how
money could be made out Of them. Six
years later, in 1914, George Stephenson,
the Englishmsn. built his first locomo-
tive engine, Putting Billy" which
travelled six miles an hour. When the
anniversary comes around in 1914, Eng
land and America must join hands in
celebrating with glory and splendor the
birth of the railway engine An Eng
lishman invented it, but it has done
most for America.
There are great battle anniversaries i'll
the years Immediately TO come. OFF Cape
Trafalgar, Oct 81, 1905, Admiral Lord
Nelson, one of the most splendid figures
in history, sent around among his feet
the message, England expects every
man to do his duty" then few hours
later, with the full knowledge that Eng
land had won glorious victory, he died
of his wounds, thanking God that he
himself had done his duty. What royal
memorial service to him there will be in
Great Britain on old Trafalgar Day
In the year 1915 England and America
will both celebrate other war victories.
New Orleans will make the country ring
ON the hundredth anniversary of the vic
tory of Andrew jackson over the British
in that city Jan. s, 1915. Among the
transparencies will be perhaps displayed
that famous motto, ITO the victors be-
long the spoils." England's celebration
in 1915 will be grander still. On Sun
day, June 10, 1915, Wellington, the Iron
Duke, met and overthrow Napoleon
Bonaparte at Waterloo 1t was the
II ost glorious victory of modern times
and the most important event in British
ilitary history in a century. 1t gave
England a prestige she has never lost,
just as the victory of Nelson made a
truth of the poetic composition, "Britan-
MIA Rules the Wave"
One centennial anniversary more for
our own country. 1t will be an occasion
of stately pomp and solemn ceremonial.
1t will commemorate the hundredth
year since the passing of the most illus
trious American, George Washington,
who died Dec. IA, 1899.