Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-06-16
THE PRESIDENT IN NASHVILLE.
Thousands Greet Him and Give Him Hearty
Welcome. His Eloquent Words.

HNPooiVioh, Laules n Gentlemen.
American nationality compared with
that OF Europe and the east is still yerv
young; and yet already we are begin.
ming to have age enough for centennial
anniversaries, in States other than the
original thirteen. Such occasions are
always interesting and when celebrated
IN a practical way are useful and
instructive. Combining retrospect and
review, they recall what has been done
oy State and nation and point out
what remains for both to accomplish
In order to fulfill their highest DESTINY.
This celebration is of general interest
to the whole country and of special
significance to the people OF the South
and West. 1t marks the end of the first
century of the State of Tennessee and
the close of the first year of its second
century. One hundred and one a
ago this State was admitted into the
Union as the sixteenth member in the
great family of American common
wealths. 1t was a welcome addition to
the national h%ousehold-a community
young, strong and sturdy, with an
honorable and heroic ancestry, with
fond anticipations, not only of its
founders but faith in its success on the
part OF far seeing and ~sagacious
statesmen in all parts of the country.
am justified in saying that these an
ticipations have been grandly realized,
that the present of this community of
sterling worth is even brighter than
prophets of the past had dared to
forecast it.
The builders of the State, who had
forced their way through the trackless
forests of this splendid domain, brought
with them the same high ideas and
fearless devotion to home and country,
founded on resistance to oppression,
which have everywhere made illustri-
GUS the Anglo-American name. Wheth-
er it was the territory of Virginia or that
OF North Carolina, mattered little to
them. They came willing and eager to
fight for independence and liberty and
in the war of the revolution were ever
loyal to the standard of Washington.
When their Representatives served in
the Colonial Assembly of North Caro-
lima, they cbose-for the first time in
our country, so far as know-the
great name of Washington for the dis.
trict in which they lived, and at the
close of tue revolution sought to or
genize their territory into a State, to
be known az the State of Franklin, in
grateful homage to the name of an.
other of its most distinguished patriot
commoners.
"Spain had sought to possess their
territory by right Of discovery as q part
of Florida. France claimed it by right
of cession as a part of Louisiana and
England as hers by conquest. But
neither contention could for an instant
be recognized. Moved by the highest
instincts of self government and the
loftiest motives of patriotism, under
gallant old John Sewer, on Kings
Mountain, your forefathers brayely vim
Dictated their honor and g%loriously won
their independence.
"Thus came the new State, second oply
then Of the now mighty west and south
west. And it has made a wonderful his
tory for itself. Tennessee has some
times been called the "Mother of the
Southern Statesmen 1t furnished us
the immortal Jackson, whose record in
war and whose administration in peace
as the head Of the great republic shines
on with the advancing years. The CEN
fury has only added to lustre of his
name, increased the obligations of his
countrymen, and exalted him in their
affection. Polk and johnson also were
products of this great State and many
more heroes of distinguished deeds
whose names will come unbidden to
your memories while l speak.
"Tennesseans have ever been volun.
teer, not drafted patriots. IN 1916 when
2,4OO soldiers were called for 10000 loyal
Tennesseans offered their services and
amid the trials and terrors Of the great
civil war, under conditions of peculiar
nIEfrpGG and am no FRO cen nanf haY ,NooI.
divided on contending sides. But upon
whichever side found they fought fear
lessly. to death and gallant sacrifice.
Now, happily, there are no c%ontending
sides in this glorious commonwealth or
in any part of our common country.
Then men who opposed each other in
dreadful battle a third of q century ago.
are once more and forever united to.
gether under n flag in a never to be
broken union.
"The glory Of Tennessee is not alone in
the brilliant names it has contributed to
history or the heroic patriotism display
ed by the people in so many crisis of our
national life, but its material and indus
trial wealth, social advancement and
population are striking and significant
in their growth and development. Thirty
five thousand settlers in this State in
1850 had increased to l,l05,00 0 in 1860 and
today it has a population closely APP
proXimating 100000. Its manufactures,
which in 1860 were small and unimport-
ant, in 1890, had reached $72,OOO,O6O in
value, while its farm products now ag-
gregate more than $62,0O0,0OO annually.
Its river commerce on three great in
ternal waterways, its splendid railways
operating nearly 5000 miles of road, its
mineral wealth Of in~calculable value,
form q splendid aupury of the future I
am sure no better workmen could be
found than the people of Tennessee to
turn these confident promises into grand
realities.
"Your exposition shows better than
any words of mine can tell the details of
your wealth of u and power of
production. You have done wisely in
exhibiting these to your own people and
to your sister States and at no time