The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-06-19
HER CENTENNIAL.
Tennessee Celebrates Her Admis-
sion to tho Union
Appropriate Ceremonies and Exer-
cises at Nnshviiie--Presiden Me-
kinley Ii the Guest of Honor
His speech.

Nashville. Tenn. June 12.--At eight
o'clock Friday morning the presiden-
tial tour merged into the centennial
celebration of the admission of Ten
nessee into the union. AS n guard of
honor TO the PRECEDENT n mounted de-
tachment of ex-confederates command
ed by Capt. George Il. Hager ranged
themselves Immediately In front of his
carriage. They wore the old-time gray,
but the buckles of their belts bore the
insignia United States" In The rear
OF the line of carriages marched the
battalion of the Sixth infantry under
the command Of Col. Miner. sent from
Fort Thomas, and headed by their fine
band. State troops and a particularly
good-looking body of Cincinnati police
under the command of their chief made
up the uniformed part of the parade.
As the head of the procession turned
into the main entrance of the exposi-
ton grounds battery OF artillery
doomed forth the national salute OF 25
guns.
Above the boom of the national salute
and the hum of thousands OF voices
IN the great auditorium rose the strains
of "Dixie" from q wandering band on
the outside. Exactly at noon President
Mckinley walked down the main aisle,
on his arm the stately Mrs. Van Leer
Kirkman, president OF the woman's
board. The president was greeted with
hearty cheers. Gov. Bushnell spoke,
and then the president was introduced.
He spoke in part as follows:
The Presidents speech.
"Oficers OF the Tennessee Centennial Ex-
position, Ladies' and Gentlemen: Amer
can nationality, compared with that OF
Europe and the east Is still very young,
and yet already we are beginning TO have
age enough for centennial anniversaries
in states other than the original IL.
Such occasions are always interesting,
and when celebrated IN practical way
are useful and instructive. Combining
retrospect and review. they recall what
has been done by state and nation and
point out what yet remains fer both TO
accomplish In order TO fulfill their highest
destiny.
This celebration is OF general interest
70 the whole country and OF special sig
nificance to people OF the south and west.
II marks the end OF the first century or
the state OF Tennessee and the close OF
the first year OF It's 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
commonwealths. II was n welcome ad-
dillon TO the national Households COM
munity young, strong and sturdy with
an honored and heroic ancestry. with fond
snticlpatlons. not only OF It's founders but
faith In It's success on the part OF far-see-
ing and sagacious statesmen In all parts
OF the country.
'"rennesseeans have ever been volunteer.
not drafted patriots. In 1916 when 2.i00
soldiers were called for. 10000 loyal Ten
nesseeans offered their services. and amid
the trials and terrors OF the great civil
war; under conditions OF peculiar distress
and embarrassment, her people divided
Oh contending sides. but upon whichever.
side found. they fought fearlessly 20 death
and gallant sacrifice. Now, happily, there
commonwealth or In any part OF our COM
mon country. The men who opposed each
other In dreadful battle third OF CEN
fury ago once more and forever united
together under one flag In nover-to-be-
broken union.
THE glory OF Tennessee IS not only alone
In the brilliant names 10 has contributed
20 history or the heroic patriotism dis
played by the people in so many crises OF
our national life, but It's material and In
dustrial wealth social Advancement and
population are striking and significant in
their growth and development. Thirty
five thousand settlers In this state I'm 1870
had increased 10 100000 I'm 1880, and to-
day II has n population closely approx
imating 100000. It's manufactures. which
I'm 1860 were small and unimportant. in
1890 had reached S72,0O00 900 In value, while
It's farm products now aggregate more
than SCI, 600 900 annually. Its river COM
merce on three great international water
ways. It's splendid railways operating near
ly 5000 miles OF roads. It's mineral wealth
OF uncalculable value, form n splendid
augury for the future. I am sure no better
workmen could be found than the pooplo
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 resource and power OF produce
ton. You have done wisely IN exhibiting
these 10 your own people and 10 your sister
states. and at no time could the diapiay
be more effective than now. when what tho
country needs more than all else is re-
stored confidence I'm Itself This EXPOSE
ton demonstrates directly your faith and
purpose, and signifies In the widest sense
your true and unfailing belief an tho IRE
presslble pluck OF the American people, and
Is a promising indication OF the return OF
American prosperity.
1.-THE knowledge which this beautiful and
novel exposition gives will surely stimulate
competition, develop your trade. increase
your output. enlarge your fields OF en-
ployment. extend your markets. and 50
eventually pay for all Il cost, as well as
Justify local sentiment and encourage state
pride.
Men and women see about me from all
parts OF the country. and thousands more
will assemble here before tho exposition
Is closed. Let ourselves and let them al
ways remember that whatever differences
about politics may have existed. or still
exist. we are all Americans before we are
partisans, and value the welfare OF ALI
ho al RI
Eons OF different states. we yet love all
the states. The lesson OF the hour. then,
Is this-that whatever adverse conditions
may temporarily impede the pathway OF
our national progress, nothing can perrna-
nentiy defeat it"
Fireworks and rIIumisatioH.
At eight o'clock a fine display of fire.
works over the lake and on It's shores
was viewed by Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley
and their party from the steps OF the
Parthenon. Not nt all inferior 90 tho
fireworks was the illumination of oil