Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-10-08
RICHMOND, OCTOBER 9, 1894.
FOR TIE ENOuIREK.


RICHMOND. OCTOBER 8, 1894.
~ FOR THE ENQUIRER
A soldier is about to revisit the scene of his
glory-a scene, as dear to the feelings of his
heart, as it should be sacred to every Virgil
MAN.
On the plains of York. the final consumma-
ton OF our Liberty aud Independence was a.
chleved by the united arms of America and
France.
The Anniversary Of the I9.h of October.
i.ol, should be COMMUNICATED through this
whole land, with one burst of generous feel
ing, as coeval and coexistant, with the birth
days Of our liberation.
A DAY as sacredas that which gave life to
our chIef-as memorable as the hour, when
tilat ilrm band of brothers promulged TO the
world, that America was free and independent,
mas been suffered by the people of Virginia To
pass as noted for NO deed Of fame. The sun,
That rose. died each succeeding year without
one welcome paudit--saye here and there, the
decrepid soldier OF the Revolution, pointing TO
his wounds, "Shonted, this is Saint Chrispi-
ans day" A new life, new existence is
now about to give impress to this glorious An
nTersary-A Chief known to fame, but more
known ana more dear to US, re-vists the spot
where COrDwallis surrendered the sword of
tyranny TO George Washington, the friend of
La Fayette. Shall this gallant chieftan, who
threw his worldly all into the lap of America,
TO sink or swim with the then desperate for
tunes oil this struggling and oppressed coun-
try, meet the cold welcome of struggling few,
whom curiosity or novelty shall call to the
spot No-Forbid it, Virginians forbid it,
Sratitude-forbid it, every sense of honor and
Of shame!
A soldier shall be welcomed by soldiers
embrace, and thousands and tens Of thousands,
Will on that day and on that spot, make the
heavens ring with their kind, their generous
welcome.
Come then, Virgnians! we want neither
spleDdor nor wealth-we want men--we want
your preseace-in the plain, blunt character OF
Virginia hospitality, without shew, without os-
tenlation, Partaking of soldiers fa,e-per,
haps the sky your only canopy-we ask your
cheering vOi:es-It cannot, il will not be de-
nied.
The soldier of '76 and the compatriots il
arms, of La Faye,te-I need not address-tIie
| same spirit that carried them so honoraby
through trying struggle will be their warran,
to visit the spot on the 10th of October. A
few revolving years and the soldier of the rev.
olution exists no mOre-those who now live
andsthose gallant chieftans, who in "the;l
steal harness." in just cause died full knight
ly" will sleep IN death, together remembered
IN the song OF the bard of days 10 come-youl
surviving chief waits to bid you welcome
and farewell-your General expects you
| and you will not disappoint him.
To you, Volunteers of the Old Dominion
ms brief and imperfect appeal is made land
trust IN God useless one, as none should be
required.l The credit of your state is at ha
zatd-Wth our brethren to the north and the
east, We cannot vie in the splendour and bril-
liancy of the reception of our old beloved
| commandcr-and whilst no such attempt il
| made, still we can pour forth that deep, heart
| felt gratitude and pleasure that will find res.
ponsi,e throb in the breast Of La Fayette.
Come then in the kind hospitabe feeling oil
! Virginia, to bid the " Nations Guest" a hear.
iy welcome at the portal of your state.
| No servile knes bends through this wide ex-
tended land 10 greet a royal pageant-no
| blood enucbled by long line of ancestry
claims the homage of servlity. But war.
ror nursed in the cradle Of liberty preserving
the principles of his youth, TO the destruction
of his fortunes, claims and receives a free
mans welcome in the land of his brothers anC
associates.
! How grand, how sublime is the spectacle
Shrink into insignifcance, we tyrants and des-
pots, W hen you shall hereafter receive the for
ced adulation of your abjsct meniais. VIII,
can witness the scene that has been presented
in the visit of Gen. La Fayette and not fee
proud that he is an American?
foreigner, and of necessity without powe
or patronage, is hailed from Maine TO Georgia
with veneration so profound, so universe
that the annals of the world cannot produce ;
parallel. A greeting that would be- denied ia
Kings and Princes is spontaneously paid to IN,
worth Of Il friend.
| Ii remains for you, Volunteers, to shew tc
VTginia's most favored adopted son, that she
Of all the States in the Union, owes the neayi
est debt of gratitude and that you will siriv,
to pay him best. VERNON.
| TO me Editors Of The Enquirer.