Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-03-09

~ n i n l. ' L AAG u
undisturbed by man, except by the
hunting parties of the neighboring In
diaps.
Standing upon the graves of an ex-
tinct people, we who have passed but
hundred years of State life, which is
but span as compared with the exist
ence of races and governments which
have risen, tiourished, decayed and dis
appeared, may well turn aside from oui
stirring pursuits to consider the foun-
dations upon which our commonwealth
rests, the character and purpose of the
men who established it, the principles
which have directed our progress, and
from these take our reckoning, that we
may the better pursue those Lines which
will tend to perpetuate our institutions
with increasing usefulness and honor.
God grant that we may attain full
sense of the awful responsibility rest
ing upon us, and that we may so dis
charge it that hundred years hence
history shall not record the Common
wealth of Tennessee among those gov
ernments that have only past, or, if
the State survive, that posterity shall
not stand where we stand today, to ex-
ecrate our memory, and charge a de-
cadence upon our unfaithfulness. What
higher inspiration could we have than
that which comes from the lives and
public services of our forefathers, who
wrought the fabric which has endured
with increasing strength for a hundred
years? We need not look beyond the
qualities illustrated by them to learn
what we must cherish to make State
benefcent and enduring.
Let those who have no past, no his
tory, no traditions, no distinguished
men, no patriots, search the records of
other countries for their exemplars.
The history of Tennessee, from its
very beginning, is atfluent with the
names of illustrious men, whose lives
were the expression of great moral and
intellectual forces, directed by pure
patriotism. In calling her roll of honor
we are touched with no sense Of regret,
except that in such an august presence
we fain would hide our own diminished
heads.
They are our Lares, and while we are
gathered to offer them incense and
libation and deck their affairs with gar
lands of violets and rosemary, let us
| imposes upon our minds and hearts
their lives and public services, and
make them our own, so that though
incorporeal, their spirits shall abide
with us as real presence, and that
they, as Ajax of old in the place always
left vacant for his spirit in the ranks of
the Greeks, shall seem to march by our
sides to inspire and aid us. And who
can doubt, if the dead can revisit the
scenes of their earthly love, that they
at this moment, with gaze that pene-
trates the veil that hides our secret mo-
tives and convictions from each other,
are about us, approving all we say and
do for our country's good, and scorn-
ing all who desecrate this day by seek
ing selfish ends?
James Robertson, the mighty hunter,
the patriarch of the Watauga and
founder of the Cumberland settlement.
Though without "a noble lineage ia
boast of, and the escutcheoned armo-
rails of splendid ancestry" his heroic
life revealed a nobility under patent
sealed by higher source than earthly
potentate. Indebted to his wife for
elementary instruction, he discharged
successfully responsibilities, many and
varied, requiring knowledge, wisdom
and diplomacy.
Born in Virginia in 1912, he left
North Carolina in ITO, and crossing
alone the Appalachian Mountains came
to the lovely valley of the Watauga
BY his memorable defense of Watauga
fort he achieved renown which, if ht
had done nothing else, would make hin
immortal in the history of Tennessee
He was one of the founders of the
Watauga government in May, 1772
which had the first written constitu
ton adopted by American freemen
Alone he followed the great war trac,
to the Cherokee towns, entrusted him
self to the Indians aroused by outrage
to fierce hostilities, and by the weigh
of his character, his dauntless courag,
and address, averted bloody war.
TO BE CONTINUED.