The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-06-12

llbufe oE the occslHluns and hlr. Mckln-
ley's face llt up as the audience rose en-
masse and shouted out cheer after cheer.
AZ last quiet came and IN clear, pene-
trating voice and with more gesture than
Is his wont. the chief executive delivered
the following speech, which win long
hold plaCe OF highest honor In the an
nails OF Tennessee:
The President Eald: ohlcers Of the
Tennessee Centennial Exposition, Ladies'
and Gentlemen;-American nationality.
compared with that OF Europe and the
east. IA still very young. and yet OIL
ready we are beginning 10 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
rotroSpect and review, they recall what
has been done by state and nation and
point out what yet remains Tor both 10
accomplish In order TO fulfil their high
est destiny.
This celebration Is OF general interest
60 the whole country and Of special
Significance to che people OF the south
and west II 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 years
ago this state was admitted Into tho
Union as the sixteenth member OF the
great family Of American common
weAlths.
Il was q welcome addition to the ma
tlonRl household community young.
strong and sturdy, with an honored and
heroic ancestry, with fond anticipatlons
not only OF Its founders but faith IN It's
IN NhA nWF Ne - Nj
SaEaciopS Statesmen in oil parts Of the
country. ! an justified IN saying that
these anticlpations have been grandIy
realized. that the present of this COM
munity of sterling worth Is even
brighter than prophets OF the past had
dared to forecast II.
The builders OF the state. who had
forced their way through the tTackless
forests Of this splendid domain. brought
with them the same high ideals and
fearless devotion to home and country.
founded on resistance 10 oppression.
which have everywhere made Illus
trious the Anglo-American name.
Whether K was the territory OF Virginia
or that OF North Carolina mattered lit
tie TO them. They came willing and
eager to fight for independence and
liberty. and In the war OF the revolu-
tion were ever loyal 70 the standard OF
washington. When their representa-
Cives served IN the colonial assembly
OF North Carolina they chose-for the
first time In our country so far as /
know-the great name Of Washington
for the district IN which they lived. and
at the close OF the revolution sought 10
organize their territory into a state TO
be known as the state OF Franlln, In
80 AZ. - ~
OF its most distinguished patrlotIcom-
mouers.
Spain had sought 10 possess their
territory by right OF discovery as part
OF Florida. France claimed Il bg 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 salS-goVernment and the
loftlest motives OF patriotism, under
gallant old John Sevler. at Kings
mountain your forefathers brayely
vindIcated their honor and gloriouzly
won their independence.
Thus came the new state. second only
then OF the now mighty west and south
west. Aud Il has made a wonderful
history for itself. Tennessee has some
times been called the mother OF south
western statesmen. Il furnished US
their immortal Jackson, whose record
in war. and whose administration In
pace ns the head OF the great republic
shines on with the advancing years
The century has only added to the lus-
tire OF his name, increased the obllga-
tIons os his countrymen, and exalted
him in their affection. Polk and john
son also were products OF this great
state. and many more heroes OF dis
tinEulshed deeds whose names VIII
come unbidden to your memories whila
Tennesseeans have ever been volun-
teer, not drafted, patriots. In 1876
when 400 soldiers were called FOR. 1900
loyal Tcnnesseenns offered their ser
vices; and amid the trials and terrors OF
tho great civil war, under conditions
of peculiar distress and embarrass-
Tnebt. her people divided on contendlnE
sides. But upon whichever side FOUND,
they fought fenrlessly TO death ana
gallant sacrifice. Now happily there
are no conteudlnE sides in this glorious
commonwealth or IN any part OF our
common country. The men who op-
posed each other IN dreadful batue
ibird of a century ago, are once more
and forever united together under one
flaE In n never-to-be-broken union.
'T'I,e glory OF Tennessee is not alone In
1be brilliant names Il has contributed
history or the heroic patriotism as
nIayed by the people In 50 many crises
~ our na,lonai life, but It's material and
Indnstrial wealth. Eocial advancement
and regulation are striking and siEaln-
cant In their growth and development.
Your exposition shows better than
any words OF mine can ten the GeSr,i5 l,,'..a5
OF your wealth OF resources ana p9Nya
OF production. You have done W'seh
In exhibiting these 10 your own PeVple
and 70 your sister states. ana at no @ @tillr
could the display be more effective thli'
now, when what the country netu7
more than all else Is restored confidence
in itself. This cNpUsliion demonstrate
directly your own faith and purpose
and signifies in the widest sense your
true and unfaIllnE belief In the ire
nregsfble pluck OF the American people
and is promising indication OF the &c
turn OF American prosperity ,,
The Knowledge which this beauutnl
and novel exposition gives VIII 5uTeg
etimulatc competition, develop your
.rade. increase your output. enlatse
ynur ilelds Of employment. extend your
yn,rketg. and so eventually pay Tor gu
Il cogt. as well as justify Local sehu-
mont and encourage state pride.
Men and women see nbout me from
ali nsrts OF the country, ana thousands
49, ~ yyllI assemble here before the ex
r0sI,Ion ls closed. Let ourselves ana
10, tbcIn always remember that what
a,,.r dffarcncea about politics may
nave egisted. or still exist we nTe az