Washington sentinel., 1854-05-21
Washingtan gentinel.
CELEBRATION OF THE 18TH OF MAY,
By THE JAMEsTOwN SOCIETY, OF
WASHINGTON.

The anniversary of the settlement at James
town was celebrated by the Washington So
ciety on Saturday, the 18th, by dinner at the
United States Hotel, which was followed by
an admirable address from the Rev. I. B.
Balch, DID,, who was selected for that task,
and by toasts and sentiments, interspersed
with speeches and music.
Being the first effort of a society but recent
ly organized, the company was not large; yet
the entertainment gave great satisfaction, and
afforded sufficient assurance that the enterprise
will not languish. The company seemed 10th
to separate, even when the clock announced
that the time for separation had come. 1t is
to be hoped that future anniversaries will be
more numerously attended but there is no
need to hope that more interest will be mani
tested, or more genial humor prevail
In the absence of Thomas Ritchie, esq.,, and
General Henderson, the president and vice
president OF the society, both of whom were
suffering from sickness, Beverley Tucker, esq.,,
was called to preside at the dinner, and j. A.
Parker and Samuel Chiffon esqs. invited to
act as vice-presidents. After the. viands were
discussed, the chairman, in few happy and
appropriate remarks, introduced the Rev.
Thomas B. Balch, the orator of the evening
who delivered, amidst much applause, the fol-
lowing address:
THE sIREs OF VIRGINIA.
VIRGIHIANs: Reverence for remarkable places is
an emotion common 10 all cultivated men. Not
far from Athens lies the plain of Marathon six
miles long and two miles in breadth. On that plain
Miltades repeled the tide of Persian invasion,
which was setting in upon Greece. He changed
the current of history, for the history of Athens
free must have been essentially different from the
history OF Athens, had that city been reduced 10
bondage by semi-barbarians. Americans have
stood more than once at Runnymede where Mag
ma Charta extorted, in 1915, by English Ear
ons from an English king The United States
not destitute of localities, the sight of which in
spires the profoundest interest; but among them
all jamestown is the most distinguished, because
on that spot in 1907, the germs OF our nation
planted, which have since borne the most abund-
ant fruit.
Individual efforts have been made, from time 10
lime, 10 rouse Virginians 10 those associations
mental, moral, and political, which history,
both colonial and national, is calculated 10 inspire
Among these individuals, William Writ is worthy
of special mention. He was born but short dis
lance from this metropolis, in TIP, but removed
into Virginia about 1892; and, in 1903, he published
in Richmond, The Letters OF the British Spy. This
production was, in allprobabity, SUCCESSFULLY the
Persian Letters of Lord Lyiteton, or by those OF
Montesquieu. They combine descriptions of the
mountain and tde-water scenery of our State
and one Of these letters Processes 10 have been
written among the ruins of jamestown, and an
other proposes that Virginians should designate
some day 10 be observed every year, i'm honor OF
Pocahontas, the illustrious daughter of Pow
haian. II is not extravagant, then, TO say, that
after the lapse OF half century the influence Of
William Writ may be felt in our present conven
ton.
The task assigned me on this occasion is one
most grateful 10 my feelings. The speaker though
not native of Virginia, has long been resident
of the State. For the fifth of century has he oc-
cupied an humble abode, which has derived its
principal charm from its location. II is anonte ed
by the unrivalled tints of the Blue Ridge-a noun
tain which, in soflness and picturesque coloring,
surpasses the Olympus in Greece, the Italian Ap-
pennines, the GrampiaR hills, or those ranges by
which other portions of our common country are
distinguished. II has been my lot TO stand among
those gigantic hills, in the midst of which the
waters the Potomac and Shenandoah meet in
the kindest emulation. My sandal has brushed
through the magic caves of our State; it has
crossed and recrossed its Natural Bridge the sub
limity of which might well challenge the gaze
of an Empress; and it has stood on the peaks OF
Otter, from which panorama is visible such as
Homer never saw. II has been through mountain
gorges, and tangled DESERTS and at the sources OF
our magnificent river it has been al Mount Yer
non, Monticello and Montpelier-once the homes
OF patriots who deserve place in our remem-
brance. What Virginian then will decline 10 honor
the memory of our fathers, who through toll and
famine and war have left us such heritage? But
mere locomotiyeness would not qualify any man
for the present occasion. He must bring 10 the
task an admiration Of our sires ard of the i'm
mense obligations under which we lie 10 them in
view Of their sacrifices for posterity who ought
at least be grateful And here candor constrains
me say that there persons in this house more
abundantly qualified 10 have represented our
colonial sires on this day. The choice fell on my
self just because these individuals were engaged
either in editorial, congressional, or forensic life
Before advancing, however, 10 the subject as
signed me this day by the muse of history permit
z.
been started about this jamestown Society The
question has been asked whether we aim al any
party objects None IN the world, is our prompt
reply Men of all parties are invited 10 join this
association, fthe candidate for adm ission only
possess the heart of Virginian, he possesses a
gem which redeems him from all suspicion of po-
Iitical heresy. Virs inia is victim TOO costly TO
be offered at the shrine of party spirit but party
spirit may well be sacrificed al least during the
hours of this day, on the blue and mountain affairs
of Virginia. In proof Of this, you are addressed
al present by one who has never been faithless TO
the old federal opinions. In the fluctuations Of
popular government old federalism has perished.
But il is something 10 muse, as Marlus did, among
the ruins of Carthage.
il has been asked, also, whether we design TO
make this city the centre OF the jamestown cele
brations And TO this inquiry negative answer
be Immediately given. Our design may be
stated in the following terms With portion OF
that enterprise common 10 countrymen, Vir-
giniahs are dispersed 10 various parts ofthe Uni
fed States. Some live near our northern lakes,
or in the mines of California, in the islands of
the Mississippi, or southern savannas or en-
tangled praries. But wherever found, il is our
wish that they should never forget the mother OF
us all; and the fond hope is cherished that melted
by our example, they will form associations like
our own and thus preserve the memory of our
fathers and the archives Of our history. This
movement may lead 10 the appointment of
some ceniurial semi-centurial Jubilee when
Virginia will recall her scattered children al least
for one day, and then dismiss them with her ma.
ternal benedctions She has bugle that can
reach the ear and heart Of her sons, and cemen,ed
wires that can convey her mandates in less than
forty seconds round the waist OF the earth Sub
lime will that convention be when the warm ava
janche OF flial affection shall descend from the
high places OF our country not TO overwhelm, but
10 pause in homage before the few relics which
time has spared al the spot where our sires landed
Our goal, then, is not set up in this city, but on
the margin Of the James.
A third question has been propounded about this
institution, which calls for explicit answer Do
its members contemplate anything Of a sectional
kind? Is agitation TO be increased? Is Virginia
10 be exalted above her sister States? Is the