Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-04-19
THE ADDRESS
or the Jamestown Association OF Wash-
ingtoA to the People OF Virginia and
their Descendants.


Neither the industry of the biographer nor
the researches of the historian are fully ade-
quate to keep alive the merits of great men, or
give full effect to the teachings of great events.
When they have performed their tasks, the nat
nral impulses of generous hearts demand that
something more should be done. Therefore it
has always been customary among civilized
nations to carve statues and build monuments
in honor of their senefactors, SO that posterity
might be continually reminded of eminent vir-
tues and distinguished services, and be urged
to emulate them. Great events have always
been celebrated, so that the circumstances con-
memory of men, and the consequences which
flow from them might be fully appreciated,
and the lessons they teach have their proper
effect.
Feeling the force of these facts, the Virgin
ians residing in the city of Washington, the
capital of the confederacy, have formed a So
ciety for the purpose of giving due importance
to the most memorable event connected with
the civilization of this continent; and, with
view to accomplish that end, this appeal has
been prepared by them, under the conviction
that the living owe debt to those who have
preceded them-to the sacred dead which
cannot be paid unless the virtues Of our ances-
tors, their trials hardships, services, and sacri.
fees be suitably acknowledged, and their
achievements be rescued from oblivion and i'm
pressed on the mind of the present and the fl.
ture.
Actuated by most commendable spirit, the
descendants of the New England colonists have
formed associations not only in Massachusetts,,
but throughout the continent, to celebrate each
year the landing Of the Pilgrims on the rock of
Plymouth. BY this means they have made the
name of the MayAower and the perils she en-
countered familiar to every ear, and have kept
alive the memory of those who braved the dan
gers Of an unknown continent and conquered
the hardships of an inhospitable climate. By
this means the people ofNew England have per.
formed their duty to the dead and to the genera
tons which may come after them. But in this
regard the descendants of those who effected
the first settlement have neither done justice to
the future, nor discharged their Obligations to
The past. Therefore it is that this appeal is
made to the citizens of Virginia, to celebrate in
q suitable manner the anniversary of the land
ing at jamestown, and to the descendantssof
Virginians wherever they may be, to form as
sociations which will annually remind them of
the facts connected with the first permanent
settlement of the United States; make known
the transactions OF the past; and place in true
light the services which their ancestors have
rendered to liberty and to mankind.
The jamestown Association of Washington
has taken the initiative, only because no move
ment was made in any other quarter. Virginia
ought to be the seat of the principal associa-
ton and all other associations, having for
their object the celebration Of the settlement Of
jamestown, ought to be auxiliary TO il,
whether in towns or States. And this society
most earnestly recommends such course, dis.
claiming all intention to make the association
of, Washington the central one, under the con-
Siction that the head should be at the capital OF
Virginia
Two centuries and half have not elapsed
since the Anglo-Saxon gained his first perma-
nent footing on the western continent, but yet
we see around us well-cultivated fields, villages
and cities, and, above all, q prosperous, con-
tented, free, powerful Christian people, able
to furnish food and raiment to the older CONT
nents. Three millions of scattered colonists
achieved their independence against the most
powerful nation of the earth. That act was per-
formed within the memory of men now living
They inhabited then the shore of the Atlantic;
but now the three millions have increased to
TWENTY-FIVE millions. Theyh have passed the ALE.
ghanies; they have passed the Mississippi val.
ley The stern ramparts of the Rocky noun
tains have not arrested them; for they have
gone even to the shores of the Pacific, and are
about to grasp from the farthest west the com.
merce Of the farthest east
Surely the first settlement, accomplished by
people which has achieved such great results,
is not an unimportant fact in history Surely
the men who led the way, and who by their
courage and constancy laid the foundations OF
such a mighty empire, are not unworthy of the
honor Of those who live amidst abundance and
without the fear of oppression because OF their
virtue and courage. The people of the north
have most properly taken steps to render JUS
tice to their ancestors. Why, then, should not
the people Of the south do justice to their an
cestors, who, amidst difficulties, and dangers,
and privations, established civilization in the
wilderness of the Western World? The first
permanent Judgement q the Anglo-saxon was
made at jamestown, in the State of Virginia.
Does not that fact, even if it stood alone, JUS
tify PRIDE and merit commemoration? But it
does not stand alone. There are many-in-
Vulnerable events-connected with the history
Of Virginia, which the sons of Virginia should
rascna from ohl;v;on and impress upon the