Washington sentinel., 1854-04-30
JAMESTOWN SOCIETY.

We extract from the Baltimore Patriot the
following remarks on the jamestown Society,
recently established in this city:
"Certain gentlemen, amongst whom we are
proud to number many Of our personal friends,
have organized in Washington society to com
memorate the settlement of jamestown in Vir-
GINA. We like patriotism, but this is no time
TO celebrate memories. Here was city founded
three years before New York, and more than
seventy before Philadelphia, yet one is scarce
worth its taxes, whilst the others govern a con-
tinent. We like tombstones well enough in
our way, but we don't care to dine upon them.
Why don't our friends celebrate the founding
of Fetterman or of Piedmont? These speak
of the revival ofthe Old Dominion, not of her de-
cay. They indicate her restoration to the proud
rank which others now occupy. We are con-
cerned to see this disposition to linger around
the grave ofthe past, instead of going like men
into the field of the future. We should like to
see the locomotive run over the policy and the
prejudices of the past. We should like to see
the brick in the ruined tower of James city
church built into a home Of industry, or tenn
pie of instruction.; and we hope that, instead of
devoting themselves las Swift said of the trade
of Ireland) to drinking memories our friends
will each deliver a deliver lecture upon indus
trial employment at every county courthouse
in the region so rich in historical "reminiscences
| and 50 poor in agricultural and industrial pro-
ducts"
| We take it, nor do we think ourselves mis-
taken, that these remarks are from the pen Of
| the witty and accomplished gentleman fNm.
| NJ. BurwelD who has been lately called to pre-
| side over the editorial columns Of the Patriot.
Mr.. Burwell is a Virginian. He was for some
| years distinguished member of the Virginia
| legislature He is very wellinformed and a
| very able man but he is wit, and, like most
| wits, he jests at the expense of everything and
everybody. But we cannot refrain from re
minding our friend of the old saying, that it
is an i'll bird that fouls its own nest" A
man may sometimes be merry at the expense
of friend, but he ought not to utter Jest
at the expense of his country-the land Of
his birth. But our witty friend forgets, Oh
does not choose to remember, that it is not
| the object of the society to which he al
ludes to celebrate the prosperity and glory Of
jamestown; the object is to commemorate
the settlement of Virginia. He talks abou,
"tombstones." This would imply that Virgi
MIA is dead. We would not grow sentimental
nor would we be boastful; but we will take oc
casion to say that Virginia was never so alive
and so prosperous as at the present time
True, her early settlers, those men Of wisdom
and Of valor, are dead Years have elapsed
since they established themselves at James
town. 1t is to perpetuate their memories tina
this society has been instituted. 1t is not
tombstone with a sad epitaph inscribed on it
it is warm and living memorial, that is in
tended to prolong their lives, and to perpetuate
their names and glory.
1t was not, however our purpose to reply
seriously to the remarks of the Patriot We dc
not doubt that the writer Of them has as much
of the patriotism about which he jests as have
any of those who aided in founding the James
town Society.