Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-07-17
For the Herald and Tribune.
Tennessee's One Hundredth Year-1796
1896.

The Congress of the United States
and the Legislature of Tennessee both
refused to make any appropriation in
aid of the proposed Centennial celebra.
ton. The majority action in both
bodies were, manifestly, prompted by
the same reason. The State coated
with too thick a mass of disgrace to
allow it, as q State to make such a
celebration reasonably or deceptly. On
a moments reflection, the reader will
see the real point in the case. With
such a celebration, the visitors from
abroad, as well as those locally of the
State, according to established usage
would be the guests of the Chief Elk.
ecutiye of the State. Our acting Chief
Executive is really an illegal usurper.
Whilst he is Governor de facto, he is
not Governor de jure. He holds his
seat in office by virtue, or rather, be.
cause of an open violation of the spirit
and letter of our highest law-the Con-
stitution of the State. 1t would, there.
fore, be q deep humiliation to the hon.
est, honorable. citizens of Tennessee to
appear as the guests of such an Execu.
tive; and still deeper humiliation for
them to see citizens of other States ap.
pear as such guests.
But. is an appropriate centennial
possible? answer yes; but, it must
be for the State, and by the represen-
tatives of the original settlers-I mean,
the descendants and representatives of
what is known in history as the "Wa-
tauga Settlement" The territory of
that settlement is now embraced in the
counties of Washington, Sullivan, Car.
ter and Johnson; but note this: Wash
ington, as the first county, embraced,
practically all of the great East Ten.
nessee basin. In fact its area extended
west of the mountain. So, that in a
very important sense, all the citizens
of East Tennessee are representatives
of the Watauga Settlement. Why can
not East Tennessee inaugurate and
carry out, not only a successful, but O
very brilliant Centennial for the State.
To do so, let the Mayors of Chatta-
nooga, Cleveland, Athens, Knoxville,
Mo%rristown, Greeneville, Jonesboro,
johnson City and Bristol represent the
Executive head. Let exhibits of the
wonderful products and resources of
this our Switzerland of America be
made at every one of the points stated.
In other words, let a rainbow of flags
and bunting decorate the line of the
Southern Railway from the Virginia
line to Lookout Mountain; but, let me
not omit to suggest, that the most inter.
estlng part of the decorated line ought
to be at, above, and below the crossing
OF the Watauga, which, in the Indian
vernacular, means Beautiful River
Along this magnificent river of pure
sparkling mountain waters for eight
miles above, to eight miles below the
railroad crossing, are the grounds,
mainly, of the historic "Watauga Set.
Element" Here youfind near Devault's
Ford the location of the Bean cabin
the first dwelling erected by a white
mar in Tennessee. few miles further
up are Sycamore Shoals, where the
great body of the Revolutionary patri.
OTIS crossed or their march to Kings
Mountain where, soon they stood with
rifles all SO bright, and knew full we'll
in time of need, to aim their guns
Alright"
Ii what suggest is acted upon, this
historic Watauga ground should, in
the Centennial year, be whitened with
tents for the accommodation of visitors
and, | doubt not hat Congress will
readily authorize a loan of tents and
grant a liberal appropriation for plac.
ing them in position, and, to cover the
expense of a creditable representation
of the army, yes and navy, too, to grace
the occasion.
Let me further add, the farmers,
gardeners, fruit growers and dairymen
OF this Watauga area can supply an
abundance of the comforts of life to all
visitors at a cost as low or lower than
the most economical could ask. Why
a not and ought not East Tennessee
to act? Upper East Tennessee would
place liberal exhibits at Knoxville and
Chattanooga; and Chattanooga and
Knoxville manufacturing and mer-
camille interests would make a grand
display, not alone at home, but all
along the line to Bristol. East Tennes.
see is so well and f~avorably known
abroad, that many, many thousands OF
the best representative people would
come to see her and make a long visit.
The Southern Railway, I feel sure,
could and would make the rates so low
and the stop off privileges 80 convenient
as to authorize visitors to pass up and
down the line as if it were q low rate
street railway. All our net work of
v%allies, and our mountain side coves
would be carefully inspected by parties
who, if not seeking new and valuable
locations, would find them, and rejoice
during life because of the new acqui.
sitions. Newspaper correspondents
from the east, west, south and north
would tell the world land the rest of
mankind" of our rich and beautiful
vallies, hills and mountain coves; OF