Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-05-17
THE GOVERNORS OF VIRGINIA.

II is with the cordial satisfaction that We learn that
gentleman OF this Stae eminent alike for his Industry and
public spirit this time seduousy engaged in tie pre-
para,on of biographical OF the Governors OF Vr
ena. It enterprise worthy Of the exertons Of Vlr-
ginan and which does honor his patriotism and Judg
1t also undertaking which all Vginans, whe,
ther residents of this Ancient Dominion emgruns from
her borders descendants should be- and doubtless
will be- proud TO encourage This literary tribute TO the
memory of the distinguished civilians who have presided
over the deslnes of yirgnahe great mother of States
and of statesmen her delight in calling her-the
nursing mother and prolific parent Of The great Wes as she
has truly been-addresses itself the State prde
The FIRE side associations the historical curiosity the puoc
"reminiscences and the domestic interest which the virgin
ans entertain In all their older recent family tradi-
TONS 1t will be work which every ViIgnian, or ofieoot
of Vrgnian will be ashamed not 10 have on his abe-a
work which will reinvgorate the memories OF the oo re-
fresh the fantng spirits Of the NATURE and stimnate 'he
aspirations and energies of The young Training all 10 he
hSey appreciation and anxious emulation OF noble deeo
and sagacious counsels II will record the lives Of those
VINO nave given her fame her prestige her envabe renoWn
'glna-who have nobly conspired with other influences
giving her position in public estimation, which the pre-
Oh private and political virtue alone assure, and
M" Gun never be ecipsed by the attractions of ma
p'O'p0'y OF the glare of individual wealth
" communities. II may be safely asserted
thst 'nere never has been monarchy, that there
has rarely oeen republic and scarcely single sister
State In this Union, which can pon, to as onp and brilliant
array of successive Governors Of The highest ability and
the marked character furnished bv yryina and
will BE- delneated In this gallery Of lus,rius
They are for the most part Of whom our common hu
manty may be proud Virginia has been sterile ef either
virtue or talents and her Rubernaorla chair has usually
been occupied by her best public From the days of
Capt John Smith, the Governors of The State Colonial or
independen have been generally men who would have left
behind them broad line of light in any community
Among them we find many of the highest reputation
a, home many whose national reputation was most env
be no, few who merited and world wide dlstinc
tion. ~ 2t.e - h1.-.--'fa
If biography always presensand must possess elements
Of the extensive popular interest," by appealing to the
instructive passions of human nature and awakening tha
pervading sympathy Of feeling which links together man
kind In common brotherhood;- the exposition Of human
acons of the details of priya @ and OF the struggles OF
individual exerion fail excite quickenIng Interest
when depicted with uth the charm of biography ia al
degree proporioned to the prominence OF those
whose history recorded to the importance and general in.
teres of the with which they have been mingled and
helped eectuse and with the affinity of the careers de-