The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-06-19
VI u
earth.

The escort also included Gov. Taylor
and staff, United States regulars and
Tennessee militia. At IL o'clock, in
the Auditorium, addresses of welcome
were delivered by President Thomas,
Mayor Mccarthy and Gov. Taylor, and
responses were made by Senator Clark,
of the Ohio commission, Gov. Bushnell
and President Mckinley. The president
in his address expressed his appreciation
of the signal honor accorded his native
state, and congratulated the governor
of Tennessee, the mayor of Nashville
and the president and directors of the
exposition upon the success of an en-
terprisc which could not fail to result
in improved business relations and a
closer commercial union between the
north and the south. Luncheon at the
club house followed the delivery of the
addresses.
There was great interest shown in
President McKinley's speech, and he
was greeted with much applause.
The President said:
OFFICERS OF THE TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL
EXPOSITION, LADIES n GENTLEMEN-Amer-
lean nationality. omp red with that of Eu-
rope and the east, is still very young, and yet
already VT are beginning 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. Com
bining retrospect and review, they recall what
has been done by state and nation, and point
| out what yet remains for both to accomplish in
order to fulfill their highest destiny.
This celebration is Of general interest to the
whole county, and OF special significance to peo-
pie 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 years ago this state was
admitted into the Union as the sixteenth num-
Der in the great family Of American common
wealths. 1t was a welcome addition to the ma
tional household community young, strong
and sturdy, with an honored and he
roic 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.
l am justified in saying that these anticipationS
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 ideals and fearless devotion to home
and country, founded on resistance to
oppression, which have made illustrious
the Anglo-American name. Whether it was
the territory OF Virginia or that Of North Caro-
lima. mattered little to them They were eager
to fight for independence and liberty, and in the
war Of the revolution were ever loyal to the
standard OF Washington When their repre-
sentatives served in the colonial assembly OF
North Carolina they chose-fort the first time in
our country, so far as 1 know-the great name Of
Washingtonfor the district in which they lived,
and at the close of the revolution sought to
organize their territory into a state to be known
as the statd Of Franklin in grateful homage to
the name OF another OF its most distinguished
patriot commoners.
Spain had sought to possess this territory by
right of discovery as a part Of Florida France
claimed it by right Of cession Is 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-goYernment and the loftiest motives Of
| patriotism, under gallant old John Sewer, at
Kings Mountain, your forefathers bravely
indicated their honor and gloriously won their
independence.
Thus came the new state, second only. shen.
Of the new mighty west and southwest And